Maui Craft Session Celebrates Beer, Whiskey, Cigars: Oh My!

By Vanessa Wolf

Sorting and grading – and seemingly sampling – cigars at the Corral, Wodiska & Company factory in Tampa, Florida circa 1947.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali has partnered with Maui Brewing Company, Southern Wine and Spirits, and General Cigar to host its first ever “Maui Craft Session” event this Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m.

Maui Craft Session is a celebration of all the things your mama warned you about: the craft industries of beer, whiskey, and cigars.

As a precursor to American Craft Beer Week and the Maui Brewer’s Festival at the MACC next weekend, the Sheraton event will be focusing on industries rooted in handmade, small batch production, sourced from the finest ingredients, utilizing time-honored methods.

Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii – owned by Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. – is one of the state’s leading wine, spirits and beer distributors and will presumably be providing the whiskey.

“’Perducto de Peru’ Jerry, if you think these are Cubans you have another thing coming.”

Bringing to mind “The English Patient” Seinfeld episode, General Cigar Company employs artisans in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua to craft their handmade cigars, which  makes perfect sense because Cuban-made ones are still illegal here in the US. General Cigar’s portfolio of brands includes Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, CAO, and Hoyo de Monterrey.

Lastly, Maui Brewing Co. has been recognized as Hawaii’s #1 craft beer since 2005. Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, operate a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as a 25-barrel production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina. Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products – down to the cans and the images on them – are made in Hawaii.

The evening won’t be just about stogies and spirits. “Thoughtful food pairings” will be provided as well.

The $79 ticket price will include said food pairings, a whiskey tasting, two artisan cigars and two craft brews.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and is limited to those 21 and over.

Tickets are limited. Call (808)-921-4600 for reservations.

Have an idea for a fun or thought-provoking story or topic? Get in touch: we want to hear from you. -Vanessa (@mauinow.com)