Craft ‘Ohana, the parent company of Maui Brewing Co. and Modern Times Beer, has announced new strategic partnerships aimed at streamlining its operations. Wings & Arrow, a beverage company, will take over the management of Modern Times Beer, while a group led by San Diego businessman Duncan Ward will manage Modern Times Coffee and Hospitality. This shift allows Craft ‘Ohana to focus more intently on expanding its Maui Brewing Co. and Maui Hard Seltzer brands while retaining an interest in Modern Times. From the press release:
“As Maui Brewing Co. continues to experience significant growth, we recognized the need for strategic partnerships to help Modern Times flourish while enabling us to focus fully on our core Maui brands,” said Garrett Marrero, CEO of Craft ‘Ohana. “We found two local San Diego-based partners who understand the nuances of Southern California’s market and bring deep expertise in their respective areas. This approach mirrors the leadership model we’ve successfully implemented at Maui Brewing Co. and Maui Brewing Restaurant Group to drive growth.”
New leadership for Modern Times Beer
Wings & Arrow will oversee Modern Times Beer, taking on the day-to-day operations of the brand. Wings & Arrow is a brand house delivering premium beer, hard seltzer and other canned beverages. The company is based in San Diego and currently distributes its beverage brands across the western United States. Among others, Wings & Arrow is the parent to Ashland Hard Seltzer, a leader in the seltzer market, and Wings & Arrow beer. This partnership allows Modern Times to continue producing its well-known lineup of craft beers, including beloved core styles and specialty brews. The move also brings fresh leadership to guide Modern Times in an ever-competitive craft beer landscape, giving the brand renewed focus and the ability to thrive independently.
“Modern Times is all I can hope for in a partner,” said Josh Landan, founder of Wings & Arrow. “I have watched the brand for many years and always believed in its potential. I am still reeling from the idea that I get to work on the brand each day, help to continue the great presence it has here in San Diego and future of a local fixture.”
Wings & Arrow merged with Eugene, Oregon-based Ninkasi Brewing to form Great Frontier Holdings in 2023. Great Frontier Holdings now houses Ninkasi, Ecliptic Brewing, Ashland Spirits and Hard Seltzer, Villager Spirits, Voyage Hard Iced Tea and Wings and Arrow Beer Co.
Managing the coffee and hospitality business
Duncan Ward, a seasoned San Diego entrepreneur, will now oversee Modern Times Coffee and Hospitality operations. This portion of the Modern Times business has been a unique part of the brand’s identity, blending its beer offerings with a coffee roastery and several taprooms. Ward’s leadership ensures that the hospitality segment continues to operate smoothly while retaining its San Diego roots.
“I am absolutely delighted to partner with Modern Times coffee and hospitality, and look forward to utilizing our 30 years of beverage focused retail experience and to working with the teams at Craft ‘Ohana and Wings & Arrow to continue building the Modern Times experience,” said Duncan Ward. “We have our first new Modern Times Beer + Coffee bar planned in West Hollywood for early 2025, and we’re brimming with exciting ideas that we know both our customers and teammates will love.”
A broader strategy for growth
These changes reflect Craft ‘Ohana’s broader strategy to streamline operations, giving Modern Times more room to grow as a standalone entity. Craft ‘Ohana will maintain an ownership stake in Modern Times but will no longer handle its day-to-day operations, instead focusing resources on its flagship Maui Brewing Co. and Maui Hard Seltzer brands, both of which have experienced rapid growth. Maui Brewing Co., which has seen a 20 percent increase in sales volume over the last year (according to the press release), is Craft ‘Ohana’s primary focus moving forward. The company plans to continue building on its success both in Hawaii and on the U.S. mainland.
Background: AleSmith Brewing partnership
This recent development follows an earlier partnership with AleSmith Brewing, announced in September 2024, when Craft ‘Ohana moved Modern Times beer production to AleSmith’s state-of-the-art facility in San Diego. AleSmith’s advanced brewing capabilities have allowed Modern Times to scale production without sacrificing quality. This arrangement also enabled Craft ‘Ohana to close Modern Times’ original brewing facility, streamlining operations and enhancing production efficiency. AleSmith, an established San Diego-based brewery, is known for its high-quality craft beers and production services. This collaboration has ensured that Modern Times beers remain available to fans, continuing its legacy in the San Diego market.
The future of Modern Times Beer
With these new partnerships in place, Modern Times is positioned to grow independently under the guidance of Wings & Arrow and Duncan Ward. The decision to separate Modern Times operations from Craft ‘Ohana reflects a growing trend in the craft beer industry — strategic partnerships that allow brands to focus on their core strengths. This shift enables Craft ‘Ohana to dedicate its energy to expanding Maui Brewing Co., while Modern Times benefits from specialized leadership and brewing capabilities through its partnerships with Wings & Arrow and AleSmith. As the craft beer market continues to evolve, these kinds of partnerships look like they might become increasingly important for ensuring market success. We’ll keep you updated.
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