MAUI BREWING CO

Maui Brewing was founded by Garrett Marrero in 2005, who, after a fateful trip to Hawaii, cultivated a newfound love for the beautiful tropical island. Marrero really wanted to move to Hawaii, so he quit his corporate job and focused on starting a business on something else that he really loved: craft beer. Since then, Maui Brewing has grown into one of the biggest breweries in Hawaii that has won multiple awards over the years. The brewery has accumulated a loyal following, thanks to its innovative beers and admirable efforts towards sustainability!

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Maui Brewing was started with a love for Hawaii. When Garrett Marrero went for a fateful vacation to Hawaii, he fell in love with the gorgeous tropical island and thought there and then that Hawaii is where he wants to live after he retires. What was initially a post-retirement plan started to entice him more and more, and eventually, Marrero could no longer fight the urge to move to Hawaii as soon as possible.

With that, Marrero quit his finance job and decided to make his dreams come true. Marrero had a plan; back when he was vacationing in Hawaii, he noticed that whenever he asked for a local beer, he would be served a beer that was brewed somewhere else, off the island. As an avid lover of craft beer, Marrero saw the opportunity and he took it.

Marrero started planning his craft beer business, and in 2004, he moved to Hawaii. It was a risky move for sure - leaving his stable corporate job to try brewing beer in a new state, but Marrero’s confidence, bravado, and finance skills helped to propel him on the right path. Besides, he didn’t do this alone. Marrero and his then girlfriend, Melanie Oxley, raised a small amount of money from their families and took out a loan to purchase their first storefront.

The two officially opened Maui Brewing in January, 2005, which started out as a small seven-barrel brewpub. Marrero and Oxley began brewing their own beer in their humble storefront and started serving it to locals and tourists. Soon, the demand for Maui’s beers outgrew the space available in the brewpub and Marrero knew that they had to expand their operations.

In 2007, Maui Brewing Company opened a production brewery in Lahaina, which allowed them to increase their beer production and distribute their beers to bars, restaurants, and stores throughout Hawaii. Maui Brewing was so successful that by 2013, 8 years after its launch, it was already doing more than $10 million in sales.

In 2016, Maui Brewing collaborated with an influential Polynesian tattoo artist, Orly Locquiao, to design the can artwork for Bikini Blonde Lager, Pineapple Mana Wheat, Coconut Hiwa Porter, Big Swell IPA, and Island Root Beer.

The brewery’s original logo is a tribal honu that features a sea turtle that meant a lot to Marrero. In order to keep the integrity of the tribal honu, the new branding effort features an evolved turtle logo and messaging that speaks to the brewery’s pride in being an authentic, Hawaiian-made product. The new logo continues Maui’s legacy without losing its rich heritage, and accurately represents the brewery’s solid foundation and deep love for Hawaii.

Maui’s sustainability efforts and beyond

Over the years, Maui Brewing Company continued to grow and gain recognition for its beers. The brewery became known for its commitment to sustainability, using solar power and other eco-friendly practices in their operations. They also focused on using local ingredients whenever possible, incorporating Hawaiian flavours into their brews.

In 2014, the brewery expanded its state-of-the-art brewery at the foothills of Haleakala, which significantly increased their brewing capacity and allowed Maui to expand their distribution beyond Hawaii. Today, Maui Brewing Company beers can be found in multiple states across the United States and even in international markets.

Maui Brewing’s award-winning beers

Maui Brewing has had a lot of award-winning beers over the years, but its most popular one is the Bikini Blonde Lager, which has become a favourite among locals and visitors alike. The pale gold lager is crisp, refreshing, and has a hint of caramel malt sweetness.

Another fan favourite of Maui is the Big Swell IPA - a smooth dry-hopped India Pale Ale with big bursts of tropical and piney hops. The brewery produces a wide range of other beer styles, including, stouts, wheat beers, and seasonal offerings.

Maui Brewing Company continues to innovate and experiment with new beer styles and flavours, all while staying true to their Hawaiian roots and commitment to quality and sustainability. It is no wonder that the brewery has accumulated numerous awards, including the National Small Business Persons of the Year in 2017, as well as multiple accolades for its beers!