Kona Brewing to Break Ground on New Facility Friday

Kona Brewing Co. is ready to break ground on its new location.

Work on the 100,000-barrel Big Island brewery and canning facility, located on a 2.6-acre site in Kailua-Kona that was leased from the Queen Lili’uokalani Trust and located near the current pub and brewery, will hit the ground on Friday.

Friday’s 10 a.m. groundbreaking will be led by a traditional Hawaiian blessing, as well as the unveiling of the first architectural rendering of the new brewery.

“The groundbreaking marks the start of an exciting new chapter in Kona Brewing’s history, and I am extremely grateful to our colleagues, our customers, and our friends and families who make up the Big Island community who have enabled us to get to where we are today,” said Cameron Healy, who co-founded the brewery with his son, Spoon Khalsa, in 1994. “Little did we know when we started Kona Brewing Co. 22 years ago that legions of craft beer drinkers from around the world would fall in love with our island-infused beers. We wouldn’t be celebrating this incredible milestone if it weren’t for the Kona Brewing Co. ‘ohana. We look forward to continuing to support them as they have supported us over the years.”

As part of the celebration of the new facility, Kona Brewing has decided to release a pale ale based on the original recipe for its first beer produced 22-years ago.

John “Kit” Kittrege, the brewery’s first brew master, was asked to develop a new beer based on the original First Rock Pale Ale.

More than $20 million is being invested into the 30,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility, which will feature innovations in renewable technology and water conservation. Through a partnership with PurposeEnergy, the site will have a Resource Recovery Center, where the brewery can recycle organic brewing byproducts to produce electricity to support the facility. Technology to conserve grain and water will also be used, along with solar photovoltaic systems.

“The Kona Brewing team is beyond excited to start brewing in the new state-of-the-art facility, which will give us the flexibility to produce more innovative, small-batch beers, while increasing our production capability to satisfy the demand for favorites such as Big Wave and Longboard Lager across the islands,” said Sandi Shriver, head of brewing operations. “We’re taking Liquid Aloha to the next level, and I’m extremely proud to be part of a team that is a leader in efficiency and sustainability and cares so much about the environment.”

The brewery is anticipated to open in 2018.

Kona Brewing Co. courtesy photo.

Kona Brewing Co. courtesy photo.

Kona Brewing Co. courtesy photo.