When the topics of Kauai and beer come up, Kauai Island Brewery Co. and Grille in Port Allen wants to be part of that conversation. Which is a short and sweet explanation of the brewery’s involvement in the first Dog
When the topics of Kauai and beer come up, Kauai Island Brewery Co. and Grille in Port Allen wants to be part of that conversation.
Which is a short and sweet explanation of the brewery’s involvement in the first Dog House Beer Fest on June 24 at the Sheraton Kauai. There will be about 40 different craft beers from 20 brewers and food from several restaurants.
“Kauai and beer, we want to be what comes to their mind,” said Dave Curry, head brewer and co-owner of Kauai Island Brewing Co. “And we like to financially support local charities and this kind of thing when we can.”
The popular brewery will be bringing its Captain Cook’s IPA, Curry’s favorite, and its Lilikoi Ale to the island’s beer festival, as well as a braised beef slider that incorporates that same Lilikoi Ale for added flavor.
Curry is delighted Kauai finally has a beer festival, as other Hawaiian Islands do. It’s long been a needed event, he added, and long talked about. With Chris Young, the organizer behind it, Curry is sure it will be a success.
“It’s really a lot to put together,” he said. “Chris is a go-getter. It’s great that he’s involved. Without him, I don’t know who else could do it.”
Young, president of the Rotary Club of Poipu Beach and a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, said the fundraiser will benefit two great organizations, the Kauai Humane Society and Junior Achievement Kauai. One is about taking care of animals, and one is about sharing financial literacy with students.
He considered other popular fundraisers, such as golf tournaments and dinners, but when the idea of a craft beer festival came up, he was all in. It is something unique and something that would appeal to both locals and visitors, and something that will be held annually.
The response, Young said, has been amazing. Many have volunteered. Businesses are on board, with many providing free or discounted products and services.
The highlights of the Beer Fest, of course, will be the beer. Ten brewers from around the state, and 10 from the Mainland, will be there. Those who buy tickets, $75 until June 16, will be given a 12-ounce mug that can be filled, six ounces at a time, pretty much as often as they like from 2 to 6 p.m.
Music will include Tsunami Taiko, Greenstone Project and The Quake.
It will bring some of the state’s best brewers to Kauai with light, dark and medium beers. There will be lagers and ales and porters and IPAs. If you have a favorite beer, chances are you’ll find it here, as brewers in Hawaii bring their creative crafts to Kauai.
“We wanted to find a way for Hawaii brewers to support the cause and to pour their beer,” Young said.
Young, who is also involved as a volunteer with JA, said the Dog House Beer Fest will be a kind of like Taste of Hawaii, but with beer at the front and music in the background. They’ll try to match beers and food as they can.
KHS and JA will each have informational booths, too.
“We just throw a great outdoor party,” Young said.
Laura Lee, KHS development director, said community support has already been great. She praised Kauai Island Brewery Co., for not only bringing beer and food, but donating cash.
Joe Nelson, owner of Koloa Surf Company, an online surf shop, came on as a top sponsor and is providing event shirts and hats for free.
The Beer Fest, she said, shows that a big nonprofit like KHS can come together with a small one, like JA, to support their goals.
“It’s a really great partnership,” she said.
And for KHS, comes at a good time. It is overflowing with dogs and cats and is promoting foster care to alleviate crowded kennels. It is also offering a adopt one, get one free deal.
On June 22, Jackson “Cat Daddy” Galaxy, host of Animal Planet’s “My Cat From Hell” will bring his strategies for cat-human coexistence to the Kauai for the first time in an event hosted by Kauai Humane Society. Tickets are available at kauaihumane.org and are $15 for KHS members, $30 for general admission. Admission for kids ages 6 and under is free.
Curry said it was an easy call for Kauai Island Brewery to support this fundraiser and be part of beer festival.
Both KHS and JA do great things, one for animals, and one for youth.
“Anything out there that’s a good cause, we’ll support that however we can,” he said.
For tickets, go to http://kauaihumane.org
