Yes, you read the headline correctly. One of my favorite breweries, Firestone Walker, is finally coming to Hawaii in early 2017. Firestone is one of the few big players in the craft industry on the West Coast that is not distributed in Hawaii, but that will all change next year.

Details of the launch are still being worked out, but look for a possible January launch of draft with packages following sometime in Spring (March’ish). All of the notable core brands will be showing up including the incredibly crushable IPA, Luponic Distortion. As of right now it appears that Pale 31, a multiple GABF Gold Medal winning Pale Ale, will not make it. There are no details on if or when we’ll see specialty releases from the Proprietor’s Vintage Series, beers like Parabola, Stickee Monkey and the Anniversary Blend.

Full press release below and as soon as I have more details on launch events, I’ll pass along. Do the happy dance, you’ll be drinking Pivo soon (at least I am!).

HAWAII WELCOMES FIRESTONE WALKER
Distribution to Islands Begins Early 2017

Paso Robles, CA—The beers of Firestone Walker Brewing Company are ready to set sail from California’s Central Coast to the Aloha State with distribution across Hawaii scheduled to launch in January 2017 by Young’s Market Company.

Firestone Walker will begin its draft rollout on January 16, 2017, followed by packaged beer in mid-March. The featured Firestone beers will be Luponic Distortion, Easy Jack, Union Jack and Pivo, as well as the affiliated 805.

“It’s the right time for us to enter Hawaii,” said David Macon, the brewery’s vice president of sales and marketing. “More than a third of visitors to Hawaii come from the mainland western U.S., and half of those are from California alone, so we will find plenty of old friends there while making new ones as well.”

Macon added, “Craft beer is firmly established in Hawaii with great local brewers. These pioneers make tremendous beers and they have educated residents and visitors alike. We’re honored to come to Hawaii and work alongside them.”

Once the Hawaii distribution launches, Firestone Walker’s national distribution map will total 27 states.

“We are excited to work with Young’s Market Company in Hawaii,” Macon said. “They have one of the freshest approaches to beer sales. They are somewhat new to the craft space but have proven themselves above and beyond the norm with excellent execution.”

“Young’s Market Company is proud to expand Firestone Walker’s geographic footprint to the Hawaiian market,” said Rick Gillis, president of Young’s Market Company. “We share Firestone Walker’s high standards for quality, innovation and brand growth. Firestone Walker is a strong addition to our growing premium beer portfolio at Young’s Market Company.”

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About Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a pioneering regional craft brewery founded in 1996 and located in Paso Robles, Buellton and Venice along the California Coast. The brewery features a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers, along with eccentric wild ales made at its Barrelworks facility. See: FirestoneBeer.com.

About Young’s Market Company

Founded in 1888, Young’s Market Company is the premier distributor of wines, spirits and select beverages in the western United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Our best-in-class team lives by Young’s longstanding core values: Integrity, Family, Quality, and Entrepreneurial Spirit. Young’s is committed to adding value to our customers, providing exemplary professional representation of our client partners, reaching the highest standards of respect for our employees, and having a positive impact on people’s lives in the communities we serve.