HONOLULU (HI Now) - Kona Brewing Hawai’i is proud to announce the release of two brand-new beers—Māhea Haze Hazy IPA and Pili Pilsner—launching exclusively across Hawai’i on Friday, April 11. These limited-time brews mark the brewery’s first retail releases since becoming fully independent, now brewing all of its beer in a state-of-the-art facility just down the street in Kailua-Kona.
Māhea Haze Hazy IPA takes inspiration from the Hawaiian word māhealani, referring to the full moon. The name Māhea itself means “hazy, as moonlight,” and the beer beautifully captures that soft, radiant glow. With its opaque appearance and luminous profile, Māhea Haze offers a smooth, modern take on the IPA. It’s bursting with hop aroma and flavor, yet avoids the sharp bitterness found in traditional IPAs. At 6% ABV, it’s approachable, aromatic, and perfect for anyone looking for a flavorful but easy-drinking craft brew.
On the lighter side, Pili Pilsner is a crisp, refreshing beer that celebrates togetherness. “Pili” means “to come together” in Hawaiian, and this beer is brewed with connection in mind. It also pays tribute to Pili grass, a native Hawaiian plant that thrives along rocky coastlines and sunny slopes. With a 5.2% ABV, Pili Pilsner is light and citrusy, with a touch of herbal hop character. It’s a perfect post-beach beer and an ideal companion for spring and summer days in the islands.
Both of these beers were crafted with care right here in Kona, and you’ll know it by the “Made in Hawai’i” stamp on every can. Starting April 11, you’ll find them in six-packs at retailers across the islands, and on tap at participating bars and restaurants statewide—including at Kona Brewing Hawai’i’s own pubs in Kailua-Kona and Hawai’i Kai.
To celebrate the launch, Kona Brewing is hosting two island-wide events this Friday. On O’ahu, the Hawai’i Kai Pub will offer a free tasting event from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring live music by Boogie. Over on the Big Island, the Kona Pub will throw a full-blown launch party from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., with live music by Kamalani. Tickets for the Kona event are $40 and include pupus and pours of the new releases—available through the link in Kona Brewing’s Instagram bio.
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This release is more than just two new beers. It’s a celebration of local brewing, cultural pride, and community connection. Jeff Silva, Kona Brewing Hawai’i’s brand ambassador and the founder of Ula’ula Fish Co., has been a longtime supporter of the brand and is excited to see it return to its roots in Kona. “Being independent allows us to focus on creating high-quality, small-batch beers for our community. These brews are inspired by the land, the people, and the culture that make Hawai’i home.”
Kona Brewing Hawai’i is also committed to supporting local artists, like Hilo-based music group Wavvy, who are currently on their first tour, “The Big Wavvy Tour,” presented by Kona Brewing. This is just one example of how the brewery is giving back to the creative community that surrounds it.
With more small-batch releases on the horizon, beer lovers can expect even more locally inspired flavors coming soon. For updates, events, and more, visit konabrewinghawaii.com and follow @konabrewinghawaii on Instagram.
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