In addition to what we do here at Craft Beverage Jobs, we also assist the industry with digital marketing and social media needs over at Craft Beverage Media. This year, we are especially excited to be working with a wonderful craft beer event, The Kona Brewers Festival.
The Kona Brewers Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and I can tell you from experience, that this is one of the best beverage festivals out there. In addition to the main tasting and food pairing event on Saturday, March 14, there is a fun foot race, brewers dinner, and a concert. The event spans from March 12-14, and proceeds benefit various beneficiaries.
The tasting and food pairing event on Saturday, March 14, is pretty killer. 3000 people attend the festival, which is right on the water in downtown Kailua-Kona at the King Kamehameha Hotel. 40 craft brewers from around the country come and pour, and the Big Island’s top chefs come and share some of their specialties.
Tickets went on sale this past Saturday, January 31st, and the event SOLD OUT online in 3 minutes. There were some local ticket outlets (Kona Brewing Company) that sold tickets, but not everyone in line waiting even got a chance to purchase tickets. The event sold out that quickly.
I don’t know any other beverage event (wine, spirits, or craft beer) that has this sort of response. It really is a special event, and people know it. If you’ve never been to the Kona Brewers Festival, it should be on your beverage bucket list.
Win a Trip to the 2015 Kona Brewers Festival
Consider this post to be a little public service announcement to our craft beverage loving friends and community because you have a VERY GOOD CHANCE of winning a trip to Hawai’i and attending the Kona Brewers Festival this year.
Each year, the festival gives away a trip to the festival to one lucky winner from their Facebook Page. This year is no exception. Last year, there were just over 200 entrants to the contest, and so far this year, there are just around 50. Do the math. This is not the publisher’s clearing house. Even if we get 500 entrants (I hope so), you still have pretty good odds of wining!
Enter here: Win a Trip for 2 to Hawai’i
The theme of the contest this year is “Love Your Mug”. To enter, all you have to do is upload a photo of yourself (your “mug”) enjoying a “mug” of your favorite craft beer. Mug here can be a glass, bottle, can, growler, etc. Then ask your friends and followers on Social Media to vote for your photo. A group of judges will select the winner from the photos that have the most votes.
The contest closes on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
This year’s contest is sponsored by Alaska Airlines, The King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, and the Kona Brewing Company.
The winner will receive: Roundtrip air transportation for 2 to Kona from anywhere Alaska Airlines flies from, 2 tickets to the Kona Brewers Festival, and hotel accommodations from the King Kam.
Enter here: Win a Trip for 2 to Hawai’i
In addition to getting your friends/connections to vote for your photo, you can also receive additional entries by visiting our Facebook Page (liking encouraged!), Alaska Airline’s FB page, and the Kona Brewing Company’s FB page. You can also earn entries by tweeting out #KBF15 and sharing #KBF15 on Instagram. Details are on the contest page.
Participating Breweries
The following is a list of the participating breweries this year. Not a bad line up!
- Bayern Brewing, Inc
- Bear Republic Brewing Co
- Belching Beaver Brewing
- Big Island Brewhaus
- Breakside Brewing
- Burnside Brewing Co
- Caldera Brewing Co
- Cascade Brewing Co
- College Street Brewhouse & Pub
- Coronado Brewing Co
- Denali Brewing
- Deschutes Brewery
- Eel River Brewing Co
- Elk Head Brewing Co
- Elk Horn Brewing Co
- FOTM Brewing Co
- Golden Valley Brewery
- Green Flash Brewing Co
- Honolulu Beer Works
- Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
- Kona Brewing Co
- Lanikai Brewing Company
- Lewis & Clark Brewing Co
- Lompoc Brewing
- Lost Coast Brewery
- Maui Brewing Co
- Midnight Sun Brewing Co
- Mission Brewery
- Ninkasi Brewing Co
- North Peak
- Pike Brewing Co
- Pleasanton Main St. Brewing
- Angry Orchard
- Sam Adams
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co
- Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
- Stone Brewing Co
- Traveler Beer Co
- Uptown Market
- Waikiki Brewing Co
- Wild Ride