Executive Chef Byran Aceves talks about- Firestone Walker Brewing - Smash Burgers! - Beyond Cruising

To start our Beyond Cruising chapter of The Cruise Dudes we explored Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Barrelworks in Buellton California with Bryan Aceves, Corporate Executive Chef as he breaks down the famous Smash Burgers that are offered. Firestone Walker opened this 7,000-square-foot Barrelworks wild ale cellar in Buellton, California, in 2013. Barrelworks beers are inspired by the Belgian sour beer tradition. The Barrelworks program is led by master blender Jim Crooks, a food science graduate and former quality control manager for the main Firestone Paso Robles brewery. Crooks first started making sour beers at the Paso Robles brewery, and the growing program later relocated to become Barrelworks. The first beer made at Barrelworks was called Feral One. Barrelworks is known for making wine-beer hybrids with local wine grapes, as well as beers made with fruits such as tangerines, yum... The Barrelworks facility also includes a brewery Taproom restaurant. Now let's talk Burgers. There is so many things to choose from on the Menus. We will just stick to a few items this time. First the 805 SMASH BURGER for $18 - Two smashed patties, onions, American cheese, pickles, house sauce, potato bun add the spicy with jalapeños and Fresno chiles +$2. The other is the BACON & FIG SMASH BURGER $19 - Two smashed patties, bacon fig jam, Gruyère, arugula, rosemary aioli, potato bun. Beer, try pairing the 805. being a crisp in flavor it completes the meal. Listen how they are created in the video, mouth watering! It's time to smash. Usually I would remove the bun of one. For this I recommend not, the potato buns are so light and they soak up the flavors of each burger. Ask for extra Bacon Fig Jam. The jam brings both burgers together. Interesting enough, when I was given the burgers to smash it was one patty of each. The fours patties would have been a beautiful challenge to try. The BASKET OF GARLIC PARMESAN FRIES - $11 were hot and tasty. Next time we will try something new. Maybe at the Firestone Brewery in Venice California. The 805 I tried, drank to the last drop started In 2012, Firestone Walker released 805, a blonde ale. The beer was named after the brewery's home region of the Central Coast and was initially meant to be sold locally. However, demand spread to other parts of California and throughout the Western United States. In 2016, Firestone Walker decided to expand distribution of 805 to Arizona, Nevada and Texas. That same year, 805 became the top-selling craft beer in California. Distribution of 805 later expanded to Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Montana and Idaho. 805 today accounts for more than 50 percent of the Firestone Walker's total beer production. The light flavor makes the 805 a drinkable brew anytime of the year. So many places to explore...