By Vanessa Wolf

Cactus Bistro Chef-Owner John Memering. Photo courtesy Cactus Bistro.

If you cannot restrain your anticipatory enthusiasm for Saturday’s Maui Brewer’s Festival, your over-stimulated nervous system may be relieved to learn you can get a jump on things a night early at the first-ever Maui Brew Fest Beer Dinner at the MACC.

This Friday, May 17 at 6 p.m., partake in a five-course feast will featuring cuisine of the New Americas by Cactus Bistro Chef-Owner John Memering of Kailua.

“Where’s the beer?” you ask.

Simmer down now. We were just getting to that.

Each dish will be paired with specialty craft beers by Maui Brewing Co.

Chef Memering and Garrett Marrero, owner of Maui Brewing Co, will introduce the courses and explain the pairings.

Arriving guests can expect to enjoy Pau Hana Pilsner, a Czech-style Pilsner.

The dinner itself starts out with Gazpacho Verde, made with island-grown Persian cucumbers, avocados, and tomatillos and a He‘eia Samoan crab ceviche. This is accompanied by La Perouse White, a Belgian-style Wit.

Cactus Bistro’s Short Ribs. Photo courtesy Cactus Bistro.

The second course brings Big Island hearts of palm salad, with local watercress, radish, shaved Manchego cheese and a Habanero-ginger vinagreta, alongside MBC’s new Lemongrass Saison, a spring release.

Halfway there will find you digging into some Kiawe-grilled Kaua‘i shrimp Parrilla with cilantro, Kaffir lime chimichurri, with Kula corn and roasted jalapeño flan. That dish is being paired with HI Standards IPA, an American-style India Pale Ale.

Loosen that belt and settle into some Maui Cattle Co. beef short ribs braised with Aloha b’ak’tun, red chile and Mexican chocolate accompanied by arroz con crema and crispy puffed rice. Wash it down with Aloha b’ak’tun, a Belgian Imperial Stout.

At the finish line, dessert is a roasted Maui pineapple & apple banana empanada, dulce de leche, with a Maui spiced rum “spiked” crema. Beer for dessert? Why not! In this case, enjoy the Chinwig on Bourbon, an English-style Strong.

Maui Brewers Festival and the Beer Dinner are fundraisers for the MACC with net proceeds benefiting its arts education and cultural programs for students, seniors and the Maui County community. The events are open to adults aged 21 years and over only.

The dinner runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and there is a cost of $140 per person, all-inclusive. Tickets are available from the MACC.

We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line – Vanessa(@mauinow.com)