Maui and Stone Brewing create Maui-Stone Craft Beverages distribution deal

Maui Brewing Co. recently announced that the authentic Hawaiian craft brewery is partnering with San Diego, Calif.-based Stone Brewing Co. to create a new craft beer distributor: Maui-Stone Craft Beverages. The distribution company was created by craft brewers specifically for Hawaiian craft beer enthusiasts. Maui-Stone Craft Beverages will offer both breweries’ beers as well as an amazing portfolio of other craft beer brands from Colorado and California. The ultimate goal of this joint venture is to elevate craft beer awareness island-wide and bring more craft beer to Hawaii.

Targeting April 2014, Stone will begin shipping a diverse portfolio of bottles and kegs to Maui from San Diego by way of refrigerated containers. Once the beer arrives in Maui, it will be transported to a 16,000-square-foot distribution center with a cold storage area. Stone Brewing and Maui Brewing’s joint efforts will ensure that fans have the opportunity to purchase various fresh craft beer brands at retailers for on-site and off-site consumption throughout Maui that will include:

Maui Brewing Co. — Maui, Hawaii
Stone Brewing Co. — Escondido (San Diego County), Calif.
AleSmith Brewing Co. — San Diego, Calif.
Avery Brewing Co. — Boulder, Colo.
Bear Republic Brewing Co. — Healdsburg (Sonoma County), Calif.
The Bruery — Placentia (Orange County), Calif.
Oskar Blues Brewery — Longmont, Colo.
Port Brewing Co./The Lost Abbey — San Marcos (San Diego County), Calif.
Saint Archer Brewing Co. — San Diego, Calif.

Maui Brewing Founder Garrett Marrero and Stone Co-founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner have been long time friends and business acquaintances, working together to attain mutual success in the craft beer industry.

“Ever since Greg and I initially met and shared a cab in 2006 during the Seattle World Beer Cup, we have had a positive and continuously growing relationship as craft beer comrades,” said Marrero. “A major part of Stone and Maui’s successful relationship can be credited to both companies having aligned visions for the growth of craft beer, including environmental sustainability, regard for the community and uncompromising business ethics. Maui-Stone Craft Beverages is just another foray in the brewing companies’ shared mission of bringing great beers to deserving fans.”

Since 2008, Maui Brewing Co. has employed Stone’s own distribution company, Stone Distributing Co., to make its craft ales and lagers available to retailers throughout Southern California. Additionally, in 2009, Maui Brewing contributed to the collaborative brewing of Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter, and helped Stone secure special ingredients for the beer through its distributors.

As a result of this new distribution partnership, Maui residents may expect a dramatic increase in craft beer selections from notable brewers. Most importantly, because of this joint venture, Maui is about to become even more flavorful for residents and visitors alike.