To celebrate nearly a decade of beer, community and connection, Aloha Beer Co. is hosting its nine-year anniversary party at its flagship location on Queen Street on Friday, Jan. 16. The party is from 5 to 10 p.m. and is open to the public; no tickets are required.
“Reaching nine years is a milestone we’re really proud of, especially in Hawaiʻi’s hospitality landscape,” says Candice Ishikawa, Aloha Beer Co.’s head of marketing & brand. “Some of the biggest highlights have been watching our taproom and beer garden grow into a true neighborhood gathering place — a space where locals, families and visitors regularly come together.”
Since opening its Kakaʻako doors in 2016, Aloha Beer Co. has brewed numerous locally inspired beers, partnered with Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits and organizations and hosted community-driven events.
“Going into this next year, I’m most excited about continuing to refine what we do best — great beer, thoughtful food and an experience that feels distinctly Hawaiʻi,” Ishikawa says. “Our focus is on consistency and quality across our core beer offerings, while finding creative ways to keep the taproom experience feeling fresh through events, collaborations, offsite activations and menu development.
“After nine years, we feel grounded, but still curious — and that balance is a really good place to be,” she adds.
At the anniversary party, attendees can look forward to live music, $9 small plates — which are only available on Jan. 16 — a keg hoisting competition, surprise “golden ticket” giveaways and the business’s Red Zeppelin IPA can launch.
“Red Zeppelin is one of our longtime flagship IPAs and a beer that’s been with us for years,” Ishikawa explains. “It’s a favorite among regulars, with a cult-following and really represents our early days as a brewery. We chose to celebrate the anniversary with this release because it felt like a full-circle moment: taking a classic Aloha Beer staple and finally putting it into cans for the first time, as we mark nine years in Kakaʻako.”
The anniversary party will feature a line-up of $9 anniversary specials, which will only be available on Jan. 16. Each plate incorporates one of the business’s draft beer styles, according to Ishikawa.
“It felt like a fun way to tie the food directly back to the brewery,” she says.
The Red Zeppelin barbecue-buffalo burger sliders feature brioche buns filled with seared beef patties, barbecue-buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles and ranch mayo. The sliders — which come with fries — feature a nice balance of sweet, tangy and slightly spicy flavors.
The chicken katsu-Queen Street Pils curry features fries topped with chicken cutlet and Queen Street Pils curry sauce. The crispy chicken strips contrast nicely with the creamy curry.
Meanwhile, the Aloha Blonde-bacon-Parmesan mushrooms feature a mouthwatering combo of garlic butter mushrooms sautéed with Aloha Blonde, and topped with bacon, Parmesan and parsley.
Finally, the pepperoni-mushroom roll’d pizza comprises marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni and mushrooms, served with creamy Hop Lei cheese sauce and Ranch.
While customers are encouraged to try the limited-time specials, Aloha Beer Co.’s full food menu will still be available.
As the company goes into its 10th year, customers can anticipate continued collaborations and “opportunities to expand Aloha Beer’s presence beyond the taproom,” according to Ishikawa.
“We have a few exciting things in the works,” she says. “As we continue to grow, we’re focused on inviting more people to experience Aloha Beer where it all comes together — in our taproom and beer garden — while staying true to who we are.
“More than anything, we’re just grateful,” she adds. “Opening a brewery is one thing — sustaining it for nine years is something entirely different. We wouldn’t be here without our team, our partners and the community that has supported us along the way, and this anniversary feels like a moment to say ‘thank you.’”
CONTACT
Aloha Beer Co.
700 Queen St., Honolulu
Alohabeer.com
Instagram: @alohabeerco
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
