FIRST ANNUAL MAUI BREWERS FESTIVAL

The FIRST ANNUAL MAUI BREWERS FESTIVAL is slated to come to a head Saturday, May 30 on the Events Lawn of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.  The event runs from 2:30- 6:30 pm.

This “Maui-Calls” style event highlights the food and brews presented by Kona Brewing Company.  The event is being held in coordination with the 15th Birthday of the MACC.

The entertainment lineup includes Master of Ceremonies, KawikaVeeka of Native 92.5 FM, Island Rumours Band featuring Rick Vito, Battle of the Bands winner- “Erin Smith & The Throwdowns”, “Off Tomorrow”, and “Celtic Tigers.” Along with Rick Vito, the Island Rumours band is also comprised of  Hawaiian favorite Eric Gilliom on guitar and vocals, renowned Island bassist Lenny Castellanos, lead vocalist Gretchen Rhodes, former Miss Hawaii Kanoe Gibson on vocals and Kris Thomas holding down the rhythm section on drums.  A feature of the group is their singing hula dancers, Germaine Balino and Cyndi Davis.

A total of (23) Brewers will be serving (46) Beers from Hawaii, the US Mainland and from around the globe as well as a host of food tents and offerings. Breweries include: Anheuser  Busch (Budweiser American Ale & Landshark Lager), Bear Republic (NorCal & Racer 5), The Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams Boster Lager & American Wheat Ale), Caldera Brewing Co. (Old Growth Imperial Stout & Caldera IPA), Deschutes Brewery (Green Lakes Organic Amber Ale & Inversino IPA), Gordon Biersch (Marzen & Czech Style Pilsner), Hawaii Nui (Mehana Humpback Blue & Hapa Ale), Heineken (Newcastle Brown Ale & Dos XX Special Lager), InBev (Boddington’s & Leffe Brown), Lost Coast Brewery (Great White & Downtown Brown), Maui Brewing Co., Michelob Brewing Co. (Stone Mill & Shock Top), Ninkasi, Oskar Blues (Dale’s Pale Ale & Old Chub), Pizza Port (Chronic & Wipeout IPA), Redhook Ale Brewery (Longhammer IPA & Sunrye), Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Big Foot Barley Wine Style Ale & Summerfest Lager), Stone Brewing Co. (Stone Smoked Porter & Arrogant Bastard Ale), Widmer Brothers Brewing (Drifter Pale Ale & Droptop Amber Ale) and our presenting sponsor, Kona Brewing Co. (Oceanic Organic & Wailua Wheat Ale).   Additional pours beyond the (8)-4 oz tastes included with tickets are available via scrip which can be purchased on site.

Pupu’s include: AK’s Café (Mini Crabcakes), Alexander’s Famous for Fish (Seafood Wontons), Bruddah Willy’s Sticky Rib (BBQ Ribs), Cake Bakery (Sweet & savory baked goods), Catering Creations by Vasi (Chocolate Fountain & Mini Gyro’s), Coffees of Hawaii (Iced & Hot Molokai Coffee & Mac-Nut Biscotti), Consuelo’s Catering (Shrimp & Fish Moqueca), Food for the Soul (Lilikoi Meatballs), Maui Brewing Co (Beer Battered Maui Onion Rings), Maui Kazowie Kettlecorn (Kettlecorn), Mulligans at the Wharf (Guinness Banger Bites), ONO Gelato Company (Gelato), Serpico’s (Penne a la Vodka), Star Anise Indian Cuisine (Chicken Satay), WoW-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill (Polish sausage & sauerkraut, Zia Maria’s Gelato (Gelato & Sorbetto), 808 Deli (BBQ Pork Sliders) and all the food is included in the ticket price!

General admission ticket price is $50 advance ($75 day-of-event), which allows the attendee 8 tastings of the various brews in a keepsake commemorative mug, and graze freely among the pupu offerings. General admission attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs or mats, and enjoy the music as they would for The MACC’s free annual Ki Ho’alu and Ukulele Festivals.  The Maui Brewers festival is a community event (for ages 21 and older) that raises funds for arts education programs and events at the MACC.

There is also a $150 ticket ($175 day-of) which allows access to the VIP Liquid Aloha Lounge presented by Kona Brewing Co., featuring wait service in shaded seating, complimentary parking, and  commemorative T-shirt and mug.

Non-alcoholic tickets for designated drivers are also available. For Visitors and Kama’aina on the West side of Maui (Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Kahana, Kapalua), Maui Brewing Co. is offering roundtrip transportation along with ticket purchase from the Brewpub at Kahana Gateway Plaza.  Please call Maui Brewing Co. for more information at 669-3474.  This is a terrific way to Celebrate Responsibly! For tickets, call 808-242-SHOW or visit www.mauiarts.org

Additional tickets outlets at: Maui Brewing Co. in Lahaina, Requests Music in Wailuku, and Green Banana Café in Paia.

• This is a 21 year and older event.  No exceptions!
• This is another MACC “green” event supporting Maui’s sustainable future
• The Island Rumours Band Featuring Rick Vito is managed by Jonathan Todd, Sabre Entertainment.  877.877.4787.  Info@SabreEntertainment.net

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)