LAHAINA, MAUI, HI – 12 January 2013 – Maui Brewing Co. (MBC) is happy to announce a new brewery – in Kihei, Maui. The new location will allow MBC to increase production fivefold and to be in closer proximity to the port.
MBC’s facility will be located on a five-acre plot of land in the Maui Research and Technology Park and will house a new brew house and eventually a second brewpub. Sustainability will be of paramount importance in design including PV, Solar thermal, “cogen”, and potential waste to energy conversion.
In 2012, Maui Brewing Co. produced approximately 22,000 barrels of beer and expects to produce over 24,000 this year. “If we find a way to brew more, we will; we simply cannot make enough beer to meet demand,” said Marrero, 34. “It’s a good problem to have, but still a problem.
No new markets have been added recently and none will be until Kihei is fully up and running, we are experiencing tremendous growth in our home market, our community and visitors want more real local beer,” he continued.
In addition to brewing more craft beer, the Kihei location will allow MBC to expand into other areas. Plans include distilling as well as producing handcrafted sodas, ciders and meads for folks that cannot drink beer due to a gluten-free dietary restriction. “We’ll always be a Craft Brewery at our core, and as times passes we are evolving into a ‘Craft Beverage’ company. There is so much opportunity to support local ag and to create exciting products that showcase what the farmers and ‘aina provide.”
Once the Kihei brewpub is completed, MBC expects to add approximately 80 more jobs. Currently, MBC employs 61 between the brewpub location and the existing production brewery locations.
Groundbreaking on the new production facility is expected next month and will take approximately one year to build. The brewery is the immediate priority, and will be followed immediately by the tasting room and offices. Shortly after completion the brewpub will begin construction. The project will be financed largely through reinvestment and an SBA/HEDCO business loan through First Hawaiian Bank.
“I’ve always wanted to be ‘Hawaii’s craft beer’ so we may give the opportunity for Hawaii residents to own a piece of the company.” Garrett adds, referring to the potential for a Hawaii equity offering allowing Hawaii residents to share in the company’s future. “I think it’d be cool that our community could be a part of what they’ve helped us build, we’ll see.”
