Paso Robles Breweries, Distilleries & Nightlife

• California Coast Beer Co.Local craft brewery pouring Central Coast favorites. They've recently added a kitchen — I especially like the smoked BBQ and flatbread pizza, though there's more on the menu. I also love attending the Nashville Nights live shows on the Main Stage.
  
• BarrelHouse BreweryA local hangout and the cornerstone of Tin City, with great brews and a beer flight that's perfect for testing what's new against your old favorites. Mine is the Sunny Daze, though my compatriots would argue for the Hazy IPA. There are always a few local food trucks on-site too, serving up some creative street food.
  
• Paso Robles Brewing CompanyA downtown craft brewery pouring house-made beers in a friendly taproom. I've recently begun hanging out here to play some casual games of darts with friends on their interactive dart boards.
• Firestone Walker BreweryA true small-town success story. Firestone Walker had its beginnings right here on the Central Coast — brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker started it in 1996 on a family vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, moved the brewing to Paso Robles in 2001, and grew it into one of California’s largest craft breweries. Belgium’s Duvel Moortgat became the majority owner in 2015, but the founders are still involved and it’s still headquartered here in Paso. Seems like the whole nation has heard of this one — it's huge, and there's a special store across the street for merch. I go on Monday nights for Locals Night, when the restaurant offers 25% off food and brews for residents, and I can sit outside with my dog, Jimmy. My favorite here is something you can't get at the other breweries: the barrel-aged beers. Their Proprietor's Vintage program blends stouts, barleywines, and anniversary ales aged in premium whiskey and bourbon casks. They're high proof, so I can only handle a 6 oz glass. Each June, they also host the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest at the Paso Robles Event Center — 50 top brewers pouring 150+ rare and classic beers, with tickets that typically sell out within minutes.

• Bristol's Cider HouseNow poured at Lone Madrone winery in Templeton, after moving from its original Atascadero home — artisan ciders made tree-to-glass by siblings Neil Collins and Jackie Meisinger, who grew up in cider country in Bristol, England.

• Tin City DistilleryPreviously known as Wine Shine, this is one of Paso Robles' original distilleries and one of the original businesses in Tin City, and it's evolved over the years into a large selection of high-quality spirits. Owner Patrick Brooks attended Templeton High School when I was teaching there, so it's a place I'm proud to share. I always pick up a bottle of the Manhattan Project — a ready-made Manhattan that hits the spot on a cool night.
  
• Bethel Road DistilleryCastoro Cellars' spirits arm in Templeton — grappa & craft spirits, live music, and a resident dog, right across from the winery. It's a beautiful location with a great outdoor area to hang out and taste, if you want to soak in the Paso Robles scenery while you sip.
  
• Grain & Vine Craft DistillerySmall-batch craft distilling — a fun stop for spirit lovers. It's located at Barton Family Estate, so if your group has split interests, you can choose the winery or the distillery, right on the same property.
• RE:Find DistilleryPaso's original craft distillery, making vodka, gin, bourbon, rye, limoncello & bitters from grape and grain.
• Willow Creek DistilleryFruit brandy, grappa, and specialty spirits on the west side.
• Calwise Spirits Co.Right on Ramada Row — handcrafted whiskey, gin, rum, and liqueurs inspired by the Central Coast, with a full bar and flatbread pizza to go with your tasting.
  

These are part of the Paso Robles Distillery Trail — grab the map and visit at least six to earn a free souvenir shot glass.