Firestone-Walker brings 805 blonde ale to Beer, TX

Firestone-Walker Brewing Co. announced it will begin selling its 805 blonde ale in Texas in January 2016. Firestone-Walker Brewing Co. announced it will begin selling its 805 blonde ale in Texas in January 2016. Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Firestone-Walker brings 805 blonde ale to Beer, TX 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Firestone-Walker Brewing Co. soon will begin selling its popular 805 in Texas, the California craft brewer announced Monday.

The beer, a relatively light blonde ale at 4.7 percent alcohol by volume, was originally sold exclusively within a 100-mile radius of the brewery in Paso Robles, Calif. By the summer of 2014, Firestone-Walker was reporting annual production of 100,000 barrels of the stuff.

Today, it says, 805 has grown to a size of national prominence.

"805 was originally brewed to serve the tri-county area of California's Central Coast," the company says in an emailed announcement. "In just three years, however, it has grown to become a top 25 national craft beer brand—despite the fact that it is still only distributed in California."

Previously, 805 was available here on a limited basis, only as part of a mixed 12-pack.

Houstonians should welcome the chance to get a six-pack of cans or bottles in time for the long spring and summer ahead.

I can vouch for this part of the brewers' description: "Subtle malt sweetness is balanced by a touch of hops, creating a versatile beer with a clean finish."

I'll leave it to you decide on this part: "The beer embodies a California mindset that can be lived anywhere."

Like all Firestone-Walker products, 805 will be sold in Houston through Silver Eagle Distributors.

Elsewhere in Texas, the beer will be sold in San Antonio through Silver Eagle Distributors; in Austin through Brown Distributing; and in Dallas, Fort Worth and Corpus Christi through Andrews Distributing.

The brewery says 805's "eastward expansion" includes Arizona and Nevada in addition to Texas.