Sunetric installed the solar energy generating system at Kona Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of Kona Brewing Company)

MEDIA RELEASE

Kona Brewing Company will tap up the state’s first sun-powered beer, appropriately named Suncharged Pale Ale, at a 5 p.m. celebration at its Kailua-Kona pub on Monday, Sept. 20.

The beer is one of the first batches made since Kona Brewing Company’s completion of a 229 kW solar energy generating system installed by Sunetric, which went live in mid-August.

Suncharged Pale Ale is bright golden like the sun and fully charged in flavor with a hefty portion of citrusy hops. A ray of organic sugar was added during the brewing process, resulting in a crisp, dry, hoppy and refreshing brew.

This PV-powered pale ale will be available only at Kona Brewing Company’s pubs while supplies last.

“We are definitely charged up to be the first brewery in Hawaii and one of a few in the country to go solar,” said Kona Brewing Company’s President and CEO Mattson Davis. “Our installation of one of the largest photovoltaic systems in the country among craft breweries went smooth, thanks to the stellar operations of Sunetric. Now we can kick back and let the sun do the work, and feel good that we’re continuing our efforts at sustainability.”

The project, a roof-mounted grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system, will produce an average of 900 kWh of electricity each day, which will allow Kona Brewing Company nearly 60 percent offset of its current electricity usage.

In addition to being the first production brewery in Hawaii to go solar, Kona Brewing Company also produces the state’s first and only certified organic beer, Oceanic Organic Ale.

Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by a father and son team that had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. It is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. It is the 14th largest craft brewing company in the country.

For more information call 808-334-BREW or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com