My picks of beer news from around the web that you need to read and my two cents on the topics.  Most of the time it’s Hawaii beer news topics, but every once in a while you’ll find other general beer related topics.

Star Advertiser- Gene Simmons’ ever expanding rock and roll themed beer restaurant, Rock & Brews, is coming to Paia, Maui.  The new uber trendy plantation town has concerns over the new beer hall concept.  Owners of Rock & Brews state that the restaurant will be designed to match the look and feel of Paia, as well as be a family destination. I’ve been to the El Segundo, CA, location a few times and it’s a great themed restaurant with awesome beer, but it’s not a place I’d take my kids to hang out at. ‬ http://bit.ly/1bEwEtW

Japan Times – Most people don’t think of Japan as being a craft beer country. Much like the US, the beer scene in Japan is dominated by a few massive breweries like Kirin, Sapporo and Asahi. But there is healthy and growing craft sector in Japan and it seems like with the rise in cost for imports from America, Japanese craft brewers are growing even more.  http://bit.ly/11NkVrq

Beer Pulse – Oh yeah, get ready to geek out and stalk your favorite bottle shop for Deschute’s release of Black Butte XXV Imperial Porter. There are not many special releases that get to Hawaii that are worth stocking up on, but this annual release is one of them.   http://bit.ly/144V1P0

Brewbound – Kona Brewing Company has released their summer seasonal Wailua Ale.  New name (now called ale instead of wheat), same beer, brewed with passion fruit aka Lilikoi.  This is the first Kona release to feature it’s new redesigned bottles and packaging.  http://bit.ly/11BrUj3