Firestone Walker 805 6Pk Cans

Firestone Walker 805 6Pk Cans is a 4.7% ABV California blonde ale sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans, brewed with local buckwheat honey. Scored 96/100 by Beer & Brewing Magazine, 805 became the top-selling craft beer in California in 2016 and remains one of the state's most recognized easy-drinking ales.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  Origin: Paso Robles, California  |  Style: American Blonde Ale  |  IBU: 15  |  Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Firestone Walker Brewing Company was founded in 1996 in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. The 805 name pays direct homage to the local area code, and the beer was conceived as a sessionable blonde ale built for the region's warm, outdoor lifestyle. Brewed with California-produced buckwheat honey and fermented in stainless steel, 805 uses Willamette hops to deliver just 15 IBUs — enough to balance the honey sweetness without pushing bitterness. An English yeast strain rounds out the fermentation character, lending a subtle fruitiness that separates it from typical adjunct lagers occupying similar shelf space.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet corn and honey lead, followed by gentle earthy and floral hop notes. A faint citrus lift — reminiscent of orange peel — emerges as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is clean and lightly sweet, with biscuit malt and a delicate honey accent at mid-palate. Willamette hops arrive late with a pleasant, restrained bitterness and a touch of noble-hop spice that keeps things balanced. A hint of English yeast character rounds the edges without becoming heavy.

Finish: Smooth and creamy with moderate carbonation that lifts away cleanly. The finish is short, crisp, and dry enough to invite the next sip without lingering sweetness.

How to Drink 805

805 is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a pint glass at around 38–42°F. Its low bitterness and clean profile make it highly versatile in beer cocktails. A Shandy with fresh lemonade plays up the citrus and honey notes for hot-weather drinking. A Michelada works well because 805's mild sweetness balances the hot sauce, lime, and Clamato. A Beergarita — blending 805 with frozen margarita mix — leans into the blonde ale's light body without competing flavors.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and pool days in warm weather
• Introducing craft beer to friends who prefer light lagers
• Pairing with casual weeknight meals like tacos or grilled chicken
• Stocking a cooler for beach outings or camping trips

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 805 taste like? Firestone Walker 805 tastes clean and lightly sweet with biscuit malt, a subtle honey accent, and a whisper of citrus and floral hops. The finish is smooth and crisp with very low bitterness at just 15 IBUs.

How does 805 compare to Modelo Especial? Both are light-bodied and highly drinkable, but 805 is a craft blonde ale brewed with buckwheat honey, giving it a slightly fuller malt character and soft sweetness that Modelo's pale lager profile does not share. Modelo tends toward a crisper, more corn-forward flavor with a touch more carbonation bite.

Is 805 good for beginners? Yes — its low bitterness, clean malt profile, and 4.7% ABV make it one of the most approachable craft beers available, particularly for drinkers transitioning from mainstream domestic lagers.

Where is 805 made? Firestone Walker 805 is brewed by Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles, California, on the state's Central Coast. The "805" name refers to the region's telephone area code.

What foods pair well with 805? Fish tacos complement the beer's light body and citrus notes. Grilled chicken or shrimp match its clean malt sweetness. A simple margherita pizza works because the beer won't overpower fresh mozzarella and basil. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the orange-peel aroma, and mild cheeses like Monterey Jack mirror its creamy mouthfeel.

What sizes does 805 come in? Firestone Walker 805 is widely available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, 12-packs of 12 oz cans, and 19.2 oz single stovepipe cans, as well as on draft at select locations.

Is 805 worth the price? Firestone Walker 805 positions as an accessible, everyday craft beer priced competitively within the blonde ale and session beer category. Its 96/100 score from Beer & Brewing Magazine and status as California's former best-selling craft beer suggest strong value for a well-made, sessionable ale.

Why 805?

What sets 805 apart from the crowded field of easy-drinking blonde ales is the use of California-grown buckwheat honey, which gives the beer a genuine — not artificial — sweetness that most competitors in this segment lack. A 96/100 rating from Beer & Brewing Magazine is a strong critical endorsement for a beer pitched at session drinkers rather than hop enthusiasts. The fact that it outsold every other craft beer in the largest craft beer market in the country speaks to something beyond marketing — the liquid delivers a clean, balanced, repeatable experience that drinkers choose again and again. For anyone looking for a craft beer that drinks as easy as a lager but carries more flavor and character, 805 remains a benchmark.