LOS ANGELES, Calif./USA (Friday, January 28, 2021) - The World Surf League (WSL) today announced a new partnership with Californian craft brewer Firestone Walker Brewing Company, making 805 Beer the official craft beer of WSL North America. The partnership includes activations in the following Championship Tour events: the Billabong Pro Pipeline, the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by Shiseido, and the Rip Curl WSL Finals, as well as North American Longboard and Challenger Series events.
"We are stoked to have Firestone Walker Brewing Company join the WSL family," said Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Revenue Officer. "805 Beer is born and brewed in California's central coast, and has been supporting the surf community since their inception. This dynamic partnership includes creative storytelling and content throughout the Championship Tour, VANS US Open of Surfing, and the WSL Longboard Championships. The authenticity of this brand makes them a perfect partner."
"Surfing has been core to our 805 beer story from the very beginning," said Dustin Hinz, Firestone Walker Brewing Company Chief Marketing Officer. "Our team of 805 Authenticos reflects varied styles and approaches to surfing, including Nate Tyler, Austin Neumann, Matt Becker, Mike McCabe and Conner Coffin. As a California-born and bred company, an 805 x WSL partnership is a natural evolution that furthers our passion for storytelling in this space and ongoing support of the sport."
Surfing has long been one of the driving forces behind 805's "Authenticos"- a band of ambassadors who embody the culture and values of 805 Beer. One notable Authentico is Santa Barbara, California based professional surfer Conner Coffin, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 4 in the world heading into the 2022 season of the WSL's Championship Tour. 805 Beer's WSL activations will include a film on Coffin, directed by Keith Malloy, that will be released this summer.
"805 isn't just the beer I drink, it's the place I'm from," said Conner Coffin, WSL Championship Tour surfer. "I'm stoked to see my partnership with my hometown brewery, Firestone Walker, expand to the WSL, and share the work I'm doing with 805 beer to surf fans all over the world. That's as exciting as it gets."
The holding period for the Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop of the 2022 Championship Tour, runs from January 29 to February 10, 2022. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and WSL's YouTube channel, as well as the free WSL app. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.
About Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Founded by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a California beer company with three innovative brewing facilities. Firestone Walker's main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation's fastest-growing beers. Firestone Walker was recently named "Best American Brewery of the Decade" by Paste Magazine.