Dear Kona Brewers Festival Ohana,
The Ke Kai Ala Foundation, host of the Kona Brewers Festival, has decided to postpone the 25th Kona Brewers Festival anniversary celebration due to global COVID19 concerns.
This was a difficult and unanimous decision rooted in our commitment to do right for the well-being of our whole community for long term wellness. The Kona Brewers Festival has been following this situation closely, and has adjusted to each phase of information offered by the CDC and the State of Hawaii. The Kona Brewers Festival acts in alignment with its values as follows:
Community Collaboration – cultivating aloha among diverse groups through celebration that benefits nonprofits
Sustainable Legacy – perpetuating a model of interconnectedness between humans, culture and environment
Responsible Guidance – acting with integrity and generosity for future generations
This Festival is rooted in joy, and celebration. We know that people come from near and far, investing so much in this beloved event. Like you, organizers had hoped the Festival could continue on, as we have for so long… through rain, shine, and even a Tsunami in 2011. We had hoped to do so with all the surprises and delights that we are so famous for. While this was our hope, the health and well-being of our island community is, and forever will be, our highest priority.
The postponement will include the Run for the Hops, Brewers Dinner, and Volunteer Mahalo Party events. With more than 600 volunteers, sponsors, beneficiaries, artists, musicians, restaurants and brewers involved in working year round for this sold out event, the Kona Brewers Festival would like to thank you all for your hard work. Thank you for all of your continued support for the Kona Brewers Festival.
Please allow us some time to think through next steps and we will announce as soon as possible.
Malama Pono,
Kate Jacobson, Director
Kona Brewers Festival
__________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Summer Carrick, Summer@konabrewersfestival.com
Photo Gallery, https://konabrewersfestival.smugmug.com/Top-Shots
Website, https://www.konabrewersfestival.com
Kona Brewers Festival Celebrates 25 years in 2020
KAILUA-KONA-The Kona Brewers Festival is back again, celebrating 25 years on Saturday, March 14, 2020, on the shores of Kamakahonu Bay at the Luau grounds of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Hawaii Island’s best chefs will join the most innovative craft brewers from across the Hawaiian Islands and mainland U.S., in the spirit of collaboration through food, fun, art, and our vibrant island community. It is with profound gratitude that we honor the people and impact of 25 years of the Kona Brewers Festival.
The sell-out fundraising beer festival is known for featuring the newest creations by 36 chefs and 36 brewers, island style, with live music and entertainment along the white sandy bay. Beyond your average brew fest experience, the festival is unique in featuring a culinary experience with craft beer styles that are often unavailable in Hawaii. At Kona Brewers Festival, you might find fresh ahi poke, tako, crispy furikaki calamari, Big Island beef with a Kona Coffee crust, fresh Waimea grown salads with mac nuts and micro-greens, hand churned pineapple gelato, artisan won-tons, and more. Beer lovers will find the best classic IPA’s, Blondes, Kolsch styles and even Barley wines. The most talked about features are the creative pours such as Salted Caramel Stout, Guava Sour Beer, Double and Triple IPA’s, a beer brewed to feature fresh Jalapeno chilis, or a Green Tea Lilikoi Saison. With a ticket, the food sampling is unlimited until it’s gone, so attendees sample and taste to their hearts delight. An upgraded ticket allows access into the Connoisseurs Lounge inside Honu’s restaurant, serving additional and premium tastes and activities for the most serious craft beer aficionados.
With a value around sustainable island life, the Kona Brewers Festival has been awarded the prestigious designation as a Green Event by Hawaii’s Green Business Program. With thousands of guests attending each year, volunteers work tirelessly to accomplish the enormous task of reducing landfill waste, reducing to less that 23 garbage bags last year. The signature Trash Fashion Show is a must-see for festival goers. The high energy variety show features island artists in their fashion creations constructed 100% from local waste.
Presented by The Ke Kai Ala Foundation, the Kona Brewers Festival raises funds for twenty eight Hawaii Island programs, working for the environment, culture and youth. Financial gifts from festival proceeds are made to selected non-profit programs, who in turn staff the festival each year. Over the years, this beloved community celebration has raised more than $1,300,000.
The pre-party starts off healthy and strong at 7:30 am, with the annual “Run for the Hops” 5K / 10K run/ walk. Presented by Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH), the family friendly run begins and ends at BMW of Hawaii. Entry fee is $30 and includes a commemorative T-shirt, refreshments, award ceremony and beer tasting following the race. Registration is open January 11 at www.KonaBrewersFestival.com.
The Kona Brewers Festival Homebrew Competition is a local competition sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association, recognizing the most outstanding beer, mead and cider produced by amateur brewers. Judges come from all over the United States to evaluate entries for 28 different styles. Winners are announced in celebration at the Kona Brewers Festival. The Best of Show Winner will have their recipe brewed at Kona Brewing Company’s brand new state of the art brewery in Kona. Other prizes are awarded in 28 categories. Entries must be registered by the cutoff date at www.KonaBrewersFestival.com
Tickets:
Tickets go on sale January 11, 2020 at 11am (HST) online only at www.konabrewersfestival.com. General Admission, March 14, 2020, 3-7pm, $85 to support island beneficiary organizations focused on environment, education, culture and youth and include.
- Admission to the four-hour festival
- Commemorative glass mug
- Ten brew tasting tokens
- Unlimited sampling of gourmet cuisine
- An afternoon of entertainment including the legendary Trash Fashion show and some of Hawaii’s best musical acts
Connoisseurs Lounge, 2-4pm, $185 to support island beneficiary organizations. These upgraded tickets include all General Admission amenities plus admission to the festival and the Connoisseur’s Lounge. Connoisseur’s tickets offer special beer and food pairings, entertainment, air conditioned seating, educational talks by local brewers, and access to move between the Lounge and general areas, making this the best ticket for extreme beer lovers, while further supporting the fundraising efforts of the festival.
Kona Brewers Festival HomeBrew Competition
Entries due January 18-March 1
13th Annual Run for the Hops
BMW of Hawaii
Saturday, March 14, 7:30am
25th Annual Kona Brewers Festival
Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel
Saturday, March 14, 2020
3-7 pm General Admission Ticket Holders
2-4pm Connoisseur’s Lounge Tickets
Media Contact: Summer@konabrewersfestival.com