Story by Rita Goldman
“It was hot that day, and the beer was so crisp and cold,” sighs a colleague, fondly recalling the 2009 Maui Brewers Festival and anticipating the next, coming Saturday, May 15, to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. “It’s great to be able to taste all these beers on tap. Beers you wouldn’t like from a can or a bottle can be magical on tap.”
The 2010 brewfest features handcrafted beers from thirty breweries in Hawai‘i and on the mainland, sample-sized dishes from Maui restaurants, live entertainment, and the chance to meet the brewers.
“They give cool prizes,” says our friend. “I won a logo hat for my boyfriend from Arrogant Bastard Ale. He couldn’t be more proud.”
Her other friend is Kim Lutz, a brewer for Maui Brewing Company, one of the main sponsors of the event. (Maui No Ka ‘Oi is a sponsor, too.) “Kim gets a lot of freedom to play with flavors; you can try different things with small, handcrafted runs of beers.”
Maui Brewers Festival hours are 3 to 7 p.m. The $45 ticket includes beer and food tastings. There’s also a $25 “designated driver” ticket that includes everything but alcohol. And yes, root beer will be served.
“It’s very laidback,” says our friend, “like an all-day picnic . . . with lots of beer.”
