MEDIA RELEASE

Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii — Kona Brewing Company will celebrate 15 years of making beer on the Big Island on Friday, February 19, with a 5 p.m. tapping of its latest specialty brew, Pohaku Pale Ale. The pub will donate $1 for every pint served from 5 p.m. until closing to The Neighborhood Place of Kona, an organization that ensures the well being of children and families by promoting environments of peace and safety.

Kona Brewing Company’s first batch of beer, Pacific Golden Ale (now called Big Wave Golden Ale) was packaged on February 14, 1995. In its first year of producing beer, Kona Brewing Company’s four employees brewed 1,461 barrels or 45,291 gallons of beer. Now, 15 years later, the company employs 170 Hawaii residents within its brewery and two restaurants. In 2009 the same brewery – but with more tanks – turned out nearly 10,000 barrels, or 306,900 gallons, of beer.

Pohaku Pale Ale, a strong pale ale, was crafted by Kona Brewing Company’s brewers to include 15 ingredients: three types of malts, nine varieties of hops, organic sugar, yeast and water. It is pale copper in color, full-bodied and assertively hoppy. The strong hop flavor and aroma are balanced by the symphony of malts. Pohaku Pale Ale will be available exclusively at Kona Brewing Company’s two Hawaii pubs on Hawaii’s Big Island and Oahu.

“It is so exciting to be celebrating 15 years of beer,” said Mattson Davis, Kona Brewing Company’s President and CEO. “It is also an honor that we don’t take lightly. We’re pumping out more beer than ever because we have such a strong local and visitor following. Our beer, brewery and pub are all integral parts of our community. That community support has led us to our success.”

Kona Brewing Company is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. It has grown into Hawaii’s largest brewery, has three restaurant sites in Hawaii and beer distribution reaching 28 states and Japan. The brewery was named the fastest growing top-50 craft brewing company in the country based on 2008 sales figures. It posted 19.8 percent year over year growth in 2009. For more information call 808-334-BREW or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com