News and reviews of made on Maui products and Maui-based companies and success stories. Also featuring island shopping guides

Posts tagged ‘Beer’

Booze News You Can Use… Maui Made Liquor Round Up

What’s going on in the world of Maui-made liquors?  Lots… read on.

OCEAN® Organic Vodka   

Next time you head to the store for your OCEAN® Organic Vodka, expect a whole new bottle to reel you in!  At the Maui retailers that currently carry the 750ml bottle, the brand new ‘fishing float’ design will have you bobbing up and down in delight (sorry the fishing puns are just too easy).  Look for it at your favorite retailer, including ABC Stores, Times Supermarkets, Whaler’s General, Whole Foods and more starting mid-October 2014!  (OCEAN Pics by Jessica Pearl)

ocean new bottle vodka glass fishing float

The new bottle is inspired by the traditional glass fishing net float – first used by the Norwegians in the mid 1800’s.  Though they are no longer used for fishing, they occasionally wash up on shore or are found by boaters.   Especially in the Pacific, most of the glass floats coming ashore originated in Japan. The traditional glass floats are now recognized as collectors’ items around the world.

ocean new bottle vodka glass fishing float

In a nod to the brand’s global relevance, the neck of the bottle is angled to mimic that of the earth’s axis.  Additionally, the bottle subtly and elegantly showcases an evolved version of a more timeless logo mark.

The bottles are expected to wash ashore on the mainland beginning in January 2015.

maui new rum deep island rum wave clear Wave Rum

From the same distilling company that brings you OCEAN® Organic Vodka, Hawaii Sea Spirits introduces Deep Island Hawaiian Rum. Made from organic sugar cane and blended with deep ocean mineral water, Deep Island Hawaiian Rum delivers a true rum experience complete with all of the flavor and character that is germane to fresh pressed cane juice.  The authentic clear Maui rum is a little sweet with hints of tropical florals and rich dark molasses.  According to Hawaii Sea Spirits’ CEO Shay Smith. “This particular clear rum is dubbed “WAVE” to further depict our respect for the energy in water that brings life to our islands.”

The rum will be available for purchase and sampling at The Farm starting September 1 and in limited release for introduction in Hawai‘i this year (Look for it at any retailer that carries Ocean), and in full release in the US mainland markets beginning 2015.

Pau Vodka

The friendly folks (and by friendly we mean hilarious, and maybe a bit crazy, cough, cough, Mark...) at Haliimaile Distilling are taking the show on the road – on the third Thursday of each month as they co-sponsor Pau Vodka Night at Dazoo in Paia.   Each event brings a new theme (like 80’s night, below), four new cocktails, and zany new ways to win Pau Vodka swag, distillery tours and so on… (costume and instagram contest, etc).  Mark Nigbur, Haliimaile’s Master Distiller makes an appearance from 5-7pm, but sometimes the party goes all night…

 

Maui Brewing

maui brewing kihei construction opening Anyone who follows Maui Brewing on Instagram (and you should: @MauiBrewingCo) is enjoying following along on the process of the Kihei Brewery and pub.  Besides all the mouth-watering pics of brews from their Kahana location and beyond, we get to check out bits and pieces of the construction, like stained concrete floors and whatever these are:

with captions like this: Drag conveyor set. We can unload 48,000# of malt in 1 hr. By comparison. We unload 37,000# in 6hrs currently.

In other exciting news, the Bikini Blond Lager was named the official craft beer of Hawaiian Airlines, should be on your flight as of this month!  Congrats.

maui brewing hawaiian airlines

Costco Shopping 

A well known secret amongst the locals (ok, its not a secret at all) is that the booze selection at Costco is stellar.  They even regularly have someone to ask about the wine, so you can pick up something to go with your rotiserrie chicken or 10 pounds of sirloin.   Besides wine, they have a pretty decent beer selection with an increasing selection of craft brews, and just about any kind of liquor you may ever want.  I snapped some pics of the local choices just today, plus an awesome growler of Dead Guy Ale that glows.  I’m assuming its the label that glows but who knows, maybe the beer glows.  I should probably stock up since its almost my birthday….

ocean vodka costco price maui

 

Blogging Disclaimer: I am a paid consultant for Dazoo Restaurant. 

Maui Brewing Company Invades Paia

maui brewing chalkboardMaui Brewing Company is hitting the road, and North Shore residents will be stoked to learn they are bringing their brews to Paia for some special events in honor of American Craft Beer Week!  I’ll admit, the call of the enormous chalkboard filled with delicious varieties of beer is sometimes enough to get us to drive over an hour… but it will be much more convenient for them to bring their beers to me!

On Sunday, May 11, (Mother’s Day!) Maui Brewing will be taking over the taps at Flatbread, with their flagship brews of Bikini Blond, Big Swell IPA and Coconut Porter, plus 5 limited releases all on tap.  The limited releases will be La Perouse Belgian Wit, Dry Irish Stout, Shifting Winds Belgian IPA, High Standards IPA, and Vienna Waits for You, a Vienna Lager named after the Billy Joel song.  The beers will be there all day (as will the pizzas) – and the Maui Brewing crew will be there at 6pm…

On Wednesday, May 14, from 5-7pm, Maui Brewing Company will be taking over the taps at Dazoo Restaurant!  Special pupus and beer cocktails will also be on hand!  Follow on Facebook to find out more about the timeline of the event.

Special Plates from Chef James:

Pickle plate – Carrot, green papaya, green beans, golden beets

Tempura green beans with Dipping sauce

Chojang chicken wings

Green “caesar” salad (vegetarian) with Herbed croutons

Braised pork jowl (cheek)

Baked adzuki bean steam bun and orange-rosemary demiglace

Special Beer Cocktails from Bartender Jimmy:

Tropical Swim – Okolehao, Kona Gold coffee liqueur, Maui Brewing Coconut Porter beer, Black pepper bitters, Nutmeg

Carlos Danger-  El Jimador blanco tequila, Campari, Maui Brewing IPA, Fresh lime, Agave, Volcano spicy salt

 

Beer Descriptions

Bikini Blond

A filtered Munich Helles Lager brewed with floral hops and Pilsner and Munich malts. Bold, smooth and refreshing! ABV 5.1 | IBU 18

Big Swell IPA

A handcrafted India Pale Ale brewed with four different kinds of Northwestern hops and malted barley…dry-hopped to perfection. Its flavor begins smooth and malty and is followed with a big burst of hop flavor. ABV 6.8 | IBU 82

Lorenzini Blood Orange IPA

Brewed with Blood Orange Puree and local citrus and a heavy amount of Azacca, El Dorado and Sorachi Ace hops to compliment the citrus. A very large beer but deceptively smooth and drinkable.  ABV 9 | IBU 70

Red Cock Dopplebock

It is a stronger version of a German-style bock and has a deep ruby color with a chocolate and dried cherry aroma. This lager is known for its low hop bitterness and intensely rich caramelized malt profile. ABV 8.5 |  IBU 18

Imperial CoCoNut PorTeR

The Imperial CoCoNut PorTeR is a stronger version of MBC’s robust porter, spiced with all natural toasted coconut. It is black in color and crowned with a creamy, dark tan head. It begins with a malty, toasted coconut aroma followed by a rich, silky mouth feel with tastes of dark malt, chocolate, and hints of coffee. ABV 9.4 | IBU 35

 

 

 

And finally, next weekend is the return of the very popular Maui Brewer’s Festival at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center!

 

Disclaimer: I am a paid spokesperson for Dazoo.

Made on Maui – Booze Round Up

maui beer cans beach

Booze, Liquor, Alcohol… straight up, on the rocks, or mixed with some fresh tropical fruit juice, hopefully with a paper umbrella topping it off, each one best enjoyed while viewing a beautiful Maui sunset…

Here’s a round up of all the alcoholic beverages that I could find (and please comment below if I left something out!) that are made on Maui.

Plus, as a quick sidebar – last time I was at Costco I took a couple pictures of some locally made beverages that were for sale – this may not be complete (and as you know, their stock changes daily), but just to give you an idea:

  • Old Lahaina Gold Rum –  750ml – $13.79
  • Maui Brewing Co  Bikini Blonde Lager – 24 cans – $33.55
  • Ocean Vodka – 1 L – $32.99

Maui Cello Lemon Liquer Mauicello – Mauicello is Maui’s very own lemon liqueur made exclusively with lemons and sugar grown right here on Maui.  Although inspired by and similar to Italy’s traditional liqueur, limoncello, Mauicello’s rich golden color and distinctive taste make it a uniquely Maui product. Available at several retailers around Maui, and on Oahu at the Whole Foods locations.

Ocean Vodka– Handcrafted on Maui, Ocean Vodka is certified 100% USDA organic and is the only vodka in the world distilled from organic sugar cane. As a result Ocean Vodka is naturally gluten free.   Ocean Vodka is also the only spirit in the world made with deep ocean mineral water, which imparts a unique character to the vodka and adds great depth of flavor to the traditional vodka cocktail.  Ocean Vodka can be found at distributors around the country, or can be sent to you through their many nationwide distributorsTours of the distillery in Upcountry Maui are available daily.  (Photo by the talented Jessica Pearl Photography)

Ocean Vodka Sugar Cane Photo

Pau Vodka Maui Hawaii Pau Maui Vodka– Handcrafted in small batches by Haliimaile Distilling Company, ultra-premium Pau Maui vodka is distilled from Hawaiian Pineapples, yet there is no hint of pineapple flavor in the finished product. Once distilled, it is mixed with crystal clear Hawaiian spring water.  Every ingredient that goes into the vodka is born on the islands, and the utmost in care is taken to ensure purity at every stage of the process.

Maui Brewing- This multi-award winning brand includes a brewery offering tours, a popular brewpub, and an extensive line of flagship and limited edition brews.  Yet another brewpub and brewery is currently under construction.  Maui Brewing Beers can be found in Maui’s best restaurants, in almost every grocery or convenience store, around the island chain, and around the country, or sent to your door from their retailers.

maui beer cans beach

Maui Wine Pineapple OrderMaui’s Winery/ Tedeschi Vineyards – Maui’s Winery, the Valley Isle’s sole commercial winery, is known for their varied selection of wines including sparkling, pineapple, grape and a delicious raspberry dessert wine.   Located at the scenic and historic Ulupalakua Ranch, they offer wine tasting throughout the day, and tours twice daily (check website for more info).  They can also ship your order to most states.

Old Lahaina Rum– Built the distillery inside a 100 year old building on the site of a former sugar mill on Maui’s North Shore. The silver, gold and dark rums are made with Maui grown sugar cane and molasses hand blended from mixed aged rum stocks.   Currently only available in Hawaii. Recently spotted at Maui’s Costco.

Haleakala Distillers – Creaters of Maui Dark Rum, Maui Gold Rum, Braddah Kimo’s Da Bomb Rum, (77.5% alcohol by volume), Maui Pineapple Flavored Rum, and Maui Okolehao, made from East Maui ti root.  All Haleakala Distillers products are distilled on Maui from 100% Maui-grown natural ingredients.    Click here to see the list of retailers in Hawaii OR here to see the retailers on the mainland or order through an online retailer.

Maui Rum Made Maui Hawaii

Which Maui Made Brew is your favorite?

What’s Brewing at Maui Brewing Company

If you live on Maui, chances are you’ve already enjoyed one (or several) of Maui Brewing Company’s award-winning beers.  The brewery has a production facility in Lahaina and a brewpub in Kahana, which is open daily for lunch and dinner and offers an ever changing selection of over a dozen of their own beers on tap.   MBC also offers four of its most popular beers in cans year-round (plus a few limited releases) at grocery and liquor stores around state, as well as 11 other states and 4 countries, if you aren’t lucky enough to live in Hawaii.

Maui Brewing Cans and Glasses on the Beach - Brewed on Maui

Founded in 2005, Maui Brewing Company is one of Hawaii’s fastest growing companies.  They announced early this year that they would be opening a new production facility in Kihei, near the  Maui Research and Technology Park.  The facility will include a brewery, a tasting room and eventually a full-service brewpub. Until construction of the brewpub is complete, MBC is looking to have local food trucks on-site. The new brewery is being designed to offer tours on more of a daily basis. The Lahaina facility currently only offers tours a few days a week due to safety and production schedules.  The new facility is also expected to increase beer production by five-fold, and they eventually plan to add hand-crafted sodas, ciders, meads and distilled products to their ever expanding menu of craft beer.

I was curious to know more about the Kihei project.  MBC owner and founder Garrett Marrero was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule for a quick interview, even answering a few of my follow up questions via email VERY early on a Saturday morning.  I guess that’s how you become the owner of a successful company!

Maui Made: How is the Kihei project going? 

Garrett Marrero: We are currently scheduled to break ground on July 8th.  Its been quite the adventure planning every detail, researching equipment.  The County has been very helpful as they see the success we’ve had already in bringing more jobs to Maui and showing that you can manufacture here.  It’s going to be a long road by the time we’re done in kihei with all phases but it’ll be worth it.  We simply cannot keep up with orders, local, mainland, and international distributors are all being shorted between 30 and 50% of what they order.  We don’t actively sell beer in that we don’t have any reps in markets outside of Maui.  This is just current demand for the 11 States and 4 countries we’re in.  Kihei will help us meet demand and open more markets.

Maui Brewing Company Concept Drawing of Kihei Brewery and Brew Pub

A Concept Drawing of the Kihei Facility

MM: Tell me about your latest canned beer release – 

GM: Our Spring release, Lemongrass Saison, is a collaboration brewed with our friends at the Lost Abbey with pilsner, vienna, and munich malts, hopped with nelson sauvin and citra hops, finished with locally raised Lemongrass. Our Saison is malty, spicy, refreshing and carries a beautiful aroma of citrus and fruit esters.  (ABV: 5.0%, IBU: 18)

Lemongrass Saison - Maui Brewing Company LImited Release

Even the artwork on the cans is made by local artists

MM: I saw the beer van at the Maui Brewer’s Fest (which was awesome by the way) – what’s the news with that?  Is it available for public and private parties? 

GM: You bet, it’s often used for weddings, large parties and corporate events.

MM: Do you have set rates or does it depend on the event? 

GM: It depends on the event but generally we have an all inclusive package that includes all 10 faucets with a different beer on each, a driver/beertender and setup, etc.  The party definitely rolls up with us!

MAUI BREWING VAN - Available for private parties

MM: What’s the best part about doing business on Maui? 

GM: There’s a lot of great things about doing business here.  I’d say my favorite is the job creation and direct community involvement.  I always say my single favorite thing about what I do is giving someone a job.  We don’t spend money on advertising, we instead support our community with events and fundraisers.  Festivals are a big part of that.  Also, because we aren’t absentee operators –  we interact directly with the charities and the people affected by them.  I often get stopped by people around town , especially at Whole Foods, I eat there a lot, and they thank me for the support of XYZ charity because they have a family member directly impacted by the cause we’re supporting.  That feels good.

MM: Speaking of helping out with the community, this year was the fifth annual Maui Brewer’s Fest, is that your biggest annual event? 

GM: Yes.  It is the biggest event we are title sponsors of each year.  The MACC (Maui Arts and Cultural Center) is the organizer and all proceeds benefit them.  We are the chief sponsors and are directly involved in planning, primarily on the brewery side, each year.  It’s been a great event for Maui.

MM: Did you ever expect your company to grow this big so quickly? What do you owe the success to? 

GM: Yeah, sometimes it is a bit daunting, but I knew we’d get where we are.  Sometimes it feels fast…other times not so much.  I was talking with someone the other day and the best way I can describe it is we’re proud of all we’ve done, but we’re only just starting.  When all phases in Kihei are finished you’ll see the complete vision as it is currently formed.  Our success has come from a ton of hard work and support by our team of employees, now over 62, and the community.  Sticking to our founding principles of brewing locally and being authentic, drawing on the agriculture community and promoting Maui and Hawaii has been important.  At the end of the day, it’s being who we say we are, doing what we say we do, and continuing to innovate.

MM: What are you most proud of so far? 

GM: I’m proud of the family we’ve created here on Maui. Not just our team, but our friends and supporters in the community.  Making them proud, gives us pride.

MM: What is your favorite beer?

GM: Thats a really difficult one… lately I’ve been infatuated with the beers from the brewpub, Kaiao, our Lead Brewer at the pub, has been making some great ones, Hoku’ula Red and HI Standards IPA…. but this past week I’ve rekindled my love affair with CoCoNut PorTeR.

MM: Garrett, thanks so much for the interview – now you’ve made me thirsty for my own favorite, the Big Swell IPA!

Garrett: CHEERS!

Want more?  Here’s some more background info on MBC: 

The brewery handcrafts ales and lagers using only the finest natural and local ingredients.  The owners’ passion for creating a great tasting beer has been proven, with their beers winning awards every year since inception. (Click here to see the list of awards up through 2012)  The company is also dedicated to sustainability, donating spent beer grain to local farmers for feed and compost, installing solar panels on their brewery, and using bio-diesel from their brewpub for their delivery vehicles.

The brewery uses aluminum cans for their retail beers for several reasons, not the least of which is the preservation of freshness and taste, which can be affected by light damage through a glass. Aluminum cans are made on Oahu, where as glass bottles would have to be imported from the mainland.  Glass can also break, and when you are enjoying your nice cold beer on the beach in Hawaii, you don’t want to have to worry about stepping on broken glass.  In another gesture of environmental awareness, instead of the typical plastic rings that can ensnare marine life, a unique, recyclable plastic carrying device is used to hold the cans.

Still want more?  Make sure to ‘Like’ Maui Brewing Co. on Facebook. 

What’s your favorite MBC beverage?

Maui Brewers Festival

This Saturday marks the 5th Annual Maui Brewers Festival at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, one of the Center’s fundraising events. This year, the event starts off with a Beer Fest Dinner at the MACC on Friday night. The five course meal by Chef John Memering of Oahu’s Cactus Bistro will feature locally sourced ingredients, and each course will be paired with a craft beer from Maui Brewing Company, one of the event sponsors. Tickets are $140 per person.

This year’s Brewers Festival takes place from 4-7pm.   Admission includes eight samplings (4 oz.) of over 30 craft breweries from around the country, and appetizers from many of Maui’s favorite restaurants and food trucks.  Tickets are $50 for general admission or $60 for that day.  Plus, live music of course!

Each of the breweries in attendance will feature two of their brews.  Maui Brewing Co, as event sponsor, will get four :

BARREL AGED RED COCK DOPPEL BOCK,  LEMONGRASS SAISON, MAUI MAIBOCK, and PAU HANA PILSNER SHIFTING WINDS IPA

Other breweries in attendance will include Rogue, Stone Brewing, Dogfish Head and Lost Coast.

Some of the pupus include Buffalo Chicken and Veggie Flatbreads by Flatbread Co. and gelatos by Ono Gelato. Both of these companies always feature locally sourced ingredients and the freshness is always evident in every bite (and the lines out the door!)

I was unable to attend the festival last year but heard that there were so many last minute ticket purchases that the food vendors were unprepared and food ran out quickly.  Let’s hope that this year everyone plans a little better, and I’m not sure if it’s new, but this year’s increase in ticket prices for day-of purchases should help a bit.   Also, I asked on the MACC’s facebook page and they confirmed that there is a ‘designated driver’ ticket if you dont want the beers (there is root beer!) for $40, but not sure if its available online or in person or phone… but good to know!

Here are the breweries and restaurants in attendance this year (subject to change!)

Which Beers and Foods are you looking forward to the most?

maui-brewers-festival-breweries-2013

maui-brewers-fest-2013-beer Maui Brewers Festival Menu 1 maui-brewers-festival-2013