(Lahaina, Maui, HI) – Maui Brewing Co. announces the official release of their first limited edition, packaged product, Flyin’ HI.P.HAY. The release is scheduled for May 7th; this special beer is a tribute beer for the late Glen Hay Falconer who was a mentor and best friend to MBC head brewer, Scott Freitas. A mainland, West Coast release will follow in mid-May, appropriately starting in Oregon. Only 2000 cases will be produced and these will be distributed across eight states and three countries.
Flyin’ HI.P.HAY is an India Pale Ale, brewed with Falconer’s Flight hops, which are a hop blend of several varieties of commercial and experimental hops commonly found in IPA style beers. The base is 2-Row malted barley along with Crystal, Munich, and Dextrin malts. ABV is 6.8% and IBU is 68. This commemorative beer will be released in cans and partial proceeds will be donated to the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to the Northwest craft brewing community by providing opportunities for professional and aspiring brewers to further their knowledge and expertise. “This foundation provides brewing scholarships for brewers and home brewers and we are honored to be able to focus some attention to Glen’s passion of ‘living to the fullest; and brewing to the fullest’,” comments Garrett Marrero.
Maui Brewing Co. is one of only two truly local Hawaiian breweries, brewing and packaging 100% of product in the state. Maui Brewing Co. and Hawaii Nui (on the Big Island) are very proud to be wholly produced “on-island”. Maui Brewing Co. has been recognized as Hawaii’s #1 craft beer since 2005 and the company has a strong commitment to the local economy, and deep concern for the environment. MBC craft beers are packaged with the most eco-friendly materials. Although cans and bottles are both recyclable, bottles still break and may pose a risk at beaches. The cans are manufactured on Oahu and designed by local Maui artists; they have the added bonus of protecting the beer in the best possible manner, protecting the product from both light and oxygen damage which can seriously compromise the taste. Plastic rings are dangerous to marine life and therefore, a unique, recyclable plastic carrying device is used to hold the products. The spent grain from beer production is donated to local ranchers for cattle feed and composting; and any cans damaged in production are donated to the Maui Humane Society. MBC purchased equipment from Maui Land & Pineapple, preserving a piece of Hawaii’s canning history.
Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, operate a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as a 25-barrel production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina. Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products are made in Hawaii.