Maui and New Belgium Brewing create “Empowerment Brew Day,” supporting/celebrating women in beer

Maui Brewing Co. continues to make positive moves. In late October, the Kihei, Hawaii-based company aims to close on the acquisition of San Diego’s Modern Times Beer, creating the country’s 21st largest craft brewery. Earlier this year, Maui Brewing announced an expansion of its production partnership with Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. (Denver) to deliver a more sustainable, steady and fresh supply of craft beverages at competitive pricing. This summer, Maui Brewing broadened its distribution footprint to 26 states, moving into Nashville, Tenn., and 26 eastern counties of Pennsylvania, while teasing availability in Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska and Georgia in upcoming months.

The company is even taking on a new name to encapsulate these progressive moves. In August, Maui Brewing announced that at the closing of the Modern Times acquisition, the combined entity will be known as Craft ‘Ohana. In that same announcement, Maui announced some important people moves as well — Maui Brewmaster Kim Brisson-Lutz promoted to vice president of operations for Hawai’i and Modern Times Drinks Inc. CEO Jennifer Briggs joining the Craft ‘Ohana executive team as chief experience officer (CXO), responsible for overseeing company functions related to team member and consumer experience.

Here’s another example of Maui Brewing’s forward thinking. It was just announced this week that Maui women brewery staff will be raising their profile in collaboration with New Belgium Brewing in creating an “Empowerment Brew Day” on Wed., Sept. 7 (that’s today!). Organized by Maui brewer Sarah Perez, the day will consist of two break-out sessions to educate each other on the different areas within the brewing industry including the quality assurance laboratory, packaging, administration, marketing and sales areas, as well as brewing. Early in the day, the team will work together to mash in ingredients with hop additions brought to boil, transferring into whirlpool and lastly to the fermenter.

The beer recipe was created by MBC brewer Anuhea Leite-Ah Yo. LyCHEEHOO Honey Lager will incorporate local Big Island honey and lychee. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this beer will be donated to non-profit organizations supporting women on Maui. LyCHEEHOO Honey Lager will be available on draft and in limited six-packs in early October at all four Maui Brewing Co. locations on Maui and Oahu.

To culminate the brewery’s internal event, MBC’s Kihei Tasting Room will be hosting the airing of the documentary “Girl Beer,” created and produced by Marena Domingo-Young. The film highlights the experiences that women endure when engaging with much of the general public and their biases of women in the beer industry. Following the documentary, New Belgium’s Lead R&D Brewer Kelly McKnight will be in Kihei to sit on the panel alongside Domingo-Young, Makawao’s Mahalo Aleworks Brewer Sarah Forman and Maui’s new VP of Operations Kim Brisson-Lutz, who will discuss the involvement of women in the brewing industry throughout history and modern day.

Free seating for the documentary which will air at 6:30 p.m. is limited, so sign-up here!