Firestone Walker Unveils “Union Jack”

Double Dry Hopped IPA Available on Draft, in Bottle

Paso Robles, California- Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced today the release of a beer called Union Jack, the brewery’s first commercially available India pale ale.

Union Jack will be available on draft and in bottle beginning on February 8, 2008. The suggested retail price is $9.99 per six pack of 12-ounce bottles. It will be available across California and select markets in Nevada.

The technical specifications of Union Jack are 7.5 percent alcohol by volume and 70 IBUs.

“Union Jack is an American-style India pale ale that represents a flavorful twist on our British brewing heritage, as well as our singular focus on pale ales,” said Proprietor David Walker. “It also echoes some of the intensity exhibited by our recent limited-edition beers.”

The India Pale Ale style originated in 18th century Britain, when brewers learned that loading their beer with extra hops helped it survive the long voyage to the colony. The hops acted as a preservative as a result of their antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Union Jack is double dry hopped, resulting in an intense and complex hop profile that is enhanced by fermentation in the brewery’s Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system. Citrus and apricot aromas anticipate long, fruity flavors that finish with an assertive hop bitterness.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company recently intensified its focus on Pale Ales under the banner of “Passion for The Pale.” Union Jack is the third pale ale in the brewery’s small family of beers, joining DBA (British-style pale ale) and Pale 31 (American-style pale ale). Meanwhile, Firestone Lager is being discontinued to make room for Union Jack and to keep the Firestone Walker portfolio focused on pale ales.

Recent honors for the brewery’s pale ales include:

• 2007 “Best Pale Ale in The World” by Men’s Journal Magazine
• 2007 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal
• 2007 California State Fair Gold Medal for First Place
• 2006 World Beer Cup Gold Medal
• 2006 “Best Beer in America” by Men’s Journal Magazine
• 2005 Australian International Beer Awards Gold Medal for Best of Class

Founded in 1996 on California’s Central Coast, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a regional brewery committed to quality, innovation and tradition. Firestone Walker Brewing Company remains the only American brewery to ferment beer in a union of oak barrels, a classic British brewing method that dates back to the mid 19th century. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was named “Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year” at the 2007 and 2003 Great American Beer Festivals and “Champion Brewery” for the category of Mid-Size Brewing Company at the 2006 and 2004 World Beer Cups.