Kona Brewing Named Honolulu’s Favorite Local Beverage Company 2nd Year in a Row

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (July 27, 2015) – The votes are in: Kona Brewing Company is the best local beverage company in Honolulu. Readers of HONOLULU Magazine bestowed the honor upon Hawaii’s largest and favorite craft brewery for the publication’s “Best of Honolulu” issue that’s on newsstands now.

Kona Brewing has been recognized on the magazine’s “Best of” list five times, beginning in 2006 when it was named Best Local Brewery.  This is the second year that Kona Brewing has earned the Best Beverage Company honor. (The list no longer includes a Best Local Brewery category.) Founded in Kailua-Kona 21 years ago, Kona Brewing is best known for top-selling flagship brews such as Longboard Island Lager and Big Wave Golden Ale, which is one of the fastest-growing beers in the U.S., as well as long-time local favorites like Pipeline Porter, Koko Brown and Wailua Wheat.

“Everyone at Kona Brewing is truly grateful to receive this honor again, because it comes directly from our local friends, fans and extended family,” said Aaron Marion, Kona Brewing Company brand manager. “Hawaii is our home, and as we get ready to build a brand new 100,000-barrel brewery here in the Islands, we’re looking forward to being able to brew even more of Hawaii’s favorite beverage!”

As part of its commitment to Hawaii, Kona Brewing is celebrating its 21^st birthday this year with a unique series of small-batch craft beers for Hawaii called the Makana Series. Each of the four beers is inspired an element of nature (earth, fire, wind and water).  A portion of the proceeds from Makana Series beer sales will be donated to four local non-profits that are working to restore, maintain and protect Hawaii’s natural environment.

“From the beginning, Kona Brewing has been a company committed to Hawaii, whether it’s though the delicious beers our talented brewers create using fresh, local ingredients, the exceptional experience our employees provide guests at our two pubs, or by supporting and providing donations to dozens of organizations that work to make Hawaii a wonderful place to live. We’ll celebrate this award by continuing to do what we do best, making great tasting craft beer and giving back to our community,” added Marion.

To date, Kona Brewing has raised more than $30,000 for Hawaii non-profits Malama Maunalua and Sustainable Coastlines through sales of the first two beers in the Makana series – Aina Brown Ale and Wela Red Ale. The next beer, Kai Golden Ale, will debut at two launch events: July 31 during ARTafterDARK at the Honolulu Art Museum, and August 8 at Maui Tropical Plantation, featuring The Green and Gomega in concert.  Kai Golden Ale is brewed using clarified sea water pulled from 3,000 feet off the coast of the Big Island and will help raise funds to support the Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter. All Makana Series beers are available only in Hawaii.

Consumers can find retailers that carry their favorite Kona brews by clicking on the Kona Brewing Company Beer Locator link located under the “Find Beer” tab on the company’s homepage.