Maui Brewing Co. to Open First Oahu Restaurant

Kihei, Hawaii (July 1,2015) -  Maui Brewing Co. and Outrigger Enterprises Group today announced that the craft brewery will partner with restaurateurs Chris Thibaut and Bill Terry to open its first Oahu location at the Holiday Inn® Resort Waikiki Beachcomber next fall. The future brewpub will fill the Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber space and will undergo a multimillion dollar renovation starting in spring 2016. Until the refresh begins, Waikiki hotspot Jimmy Buffett’s will continue to operate and welcome diners under the management of Handcrafted Restaurants, LLC.

"From one local company to another, Outrigger is proud to welcome Maui Brewing Co. to our diverse family of restaurants," said Barbara Campbell, vice president of retail leasing at Outrigger Enterprises Group. "We know that both residents and visitors will enjoy the restaurant’s unique craft brews and island-inspired dishes, many made with locally sourced ingredients to ensure freshness and support Hawaii’s purveyors." 

Maui Brewing Co. was founded by Garrett and Melanie Marrero in 2005 when it began its quest to brew handcrafted ales and lagers using the finest ingredients. Its vision to support local agriculture and care for the environment includes sourcing as many local products as possible and packing in the most eco-friendly materials – the can. The company also donates its spent grain to local farmers for feed and compost. Maui Brewing Co. is Hawaii’s largest authentic craft brewer and currently operates a brewery and tasting room in Kihei and a brewpub restaurant in Lahaina. 

"As demand for authentic local beer continues to grow, a Waikiki location was a natural next step for Maui Brewing Co.," said Marrero. "Our goal is to provide kamaaina and visitors with an unforgettable brewpub dining experience and, at the same time, raise a glass to local agriculture and the environment. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Chris and Outrigger to take this exciting step forward for the Maui Brewing Company brand."

Chris Thibaut brings over a decade of restaurant management and ownership experience to the table as well as a passion for craft beer. Translating Maui Brewing Co.’s support of local agriculture and sustainability into a more expansive food and beverage operation is a natural progression for the organic partnership. 

"The restaurant will be an upbeat, fun and vibrant place to enjoy great craft beverages and high quality food made in-house, from scratch," said Thibaut. "We’ll put just as much care and passion into our service standards, food and beverages as Maui Brewing Co. puts into their beer, and we look forward to sharing the craft beer way of life with our guests."

The 20,000 square foot restaurant will undergo a complete renovation in spring 2016 with plans to reopen in fall 2016. The new restaurant will be owned and operated by Maui Brewing Waikiki, LLC, a partnership between Maui Brewing Co., restaurateurs Chris Thibaut and Bill Terry and Outrigger Enterprises Group.