Maui Brewing Company was one of the first breweries I wanted to hit at this year's Great American Beer Festival. The Lahaina-based brewer was named Grand National Champion at the United States Open Beer Championships earlier this year and has been getting national buzz after beginning distribution in California and Oregon.
I wasn't disappointed. Maui's CoConut Porter, which it sells in cans and on draft, was one of the most delicious beers I've had in a while, and its Smokestack Lager rocked.
Even better, Maui Brewing's Garrett Marrero promises that he'll be distributing all of his canned beers in Colorado by the end of 2010. "I can't say for sure who is handling our distribution, but rest assured we're on our way," he says, adding that he LOVES Colorado.
What other beers rocked my world at GABF? Here's a list:
21st Amendment, Hop Crisis, San Francisco, California
Bear Republic, Cuvee de Bubba; Healdsburg, California
Cascade Brewing, Sang Noir; Bend, Oregon
Cigar City Jai Alai India Pale Ale; Tampa, Florida
Cigar City, Guava Grove; Tampa Florida
Choc, Basement Batch; Krebs, Oklahoma
Duck-Rabbit, Milk Stout; Farmville, North Carolina
Goose Island, Demolition; Chicago, Illinois
Green Flash, Le Freak; San Diego, California
Kannah Creek Stumplifter Barleywine; Grand Junction, Colorado
New Holland, Charkoota Rye Smoked Doppelbock Lager; Holland Michigan
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Pizza Port, Skidmark Brown; Ocean Beach, California
Redhook, Live Free or Rye; Seattle, Washington
Yak and Yeti, Himalayan IPA; Arvada, Colorado
Yak and Yeti, Chai Milk Stout; Arvada, Colorado
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