Kona Brewing Company Brings Back its Makana Series

Hana hou! Following the debut of its exclusive-to-Hawaii beer series last year, Kona Brewing Company is brewing another round of seasonal Makana Series craft beers.

Like last year’s series, each of the beers will be inspired by one of the four natural elements and be made with local island ingredients. Kona Brewing fans fell in love with the small-batch beer series, purchasing thousands of pints of the innovative brews, and, in the process, raised $57,662 for four Hawaii non-profit organizations dedicated to restoring and preserving the state’s precious natural resources.

“The Makana Series was a wonderful way to honor and help protect our aina, raise funds locally and treat customers to one-of-a-kind craft beers available nowhere else but in Hawaii. We’re thrilled to be bringing it back. We’d like to give a warm mahalo to everyone for their support and commitment to environmental stewardship, and invite them to sip for a good cause again.”
– Sandi Shriver, head of brewing operations for Kona Brewing Company

Kona Brewing created the Makana Series last year to celebrate its 21st birthday and say “thank you” to the people of Hawaii for their enduring support. The Makana Series (makana means “to give”) served as the centerpiece of Kona Brewing’s year-long campaign to raise money and awareness for local non-profits that are committed to preserving Hawaii’s natural resources. The series was developed around ingredients representing the natural forces (earth/aina, wind/makani, fire/wela and water/kai) that contribute to the serene beauty found only in the Islands. As a gift to Hawaii, the series was made available exclusively in the Islands, with a $10,000 contribution and proceeds from each Makana Series beer and merchandise benefitting one of the following organizations.

• Aina Brown Ale – a beer inspired by the land and brewed with kalo (taro) helped support Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, which cares for Hawaii’s coastlines.
• Wela Red Ale – inspired by fire and made with cold-smoked Kiawe wood, helped support Malama Maunalua, which is committed to conserving and restoring Oahu’s Maunalua Bay.
• Kai Golden Ale – made with deep-sea ocean water sourced off the Kona coast, helped bring to life the mission of Surfrider Foundation Hawaii, which is dedicated to the keeping oceans safe, clean and accessible.
• Makani Wheat Ale – inspired by wind and made with honey collected from bees that pollinate the flowers of koa trees, contributed to the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, dedicated to planting Koa Legacy Trees and other threatened native saplings and shrubs across the Hawaiian Islands.

Kona Brewing kicks off its 2016 Makana Series with Aina Brown Ale (6% ABV, 29 IBU), an earthy brew with caramel complexity that gets its distinct flavor from kalo that’s added to the mash. The beer is made with Pale 2 Row Premium, Caramel, Munich, Carapils and Chocolate malts. Hops include Millennium, Cascade, Mt. Hood and Centennial. A portion of the sales of Aina Brown Ale will again support Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. The Hawaii-only ale is available on draft only for approximately three months, or until supply runs out, at both Kona Brewing pubs in Honolulu and Kona and approximately 30 bars and restaurants across the Islands. Due to limited supply, the series will not be available at the growler station or for dock sales at the Kona brewery or Koko Marina pub.

For more information, call 808-334-BREW or visit KonaBrewingCo.com.