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(October 5, 2019 – Harmon, Guam) – The Guam Brewery, Guam’s newest craft beer production brewery, officially unveiled its freshly Made-In-Guam canned craft beers at a grand opening event on Oct. 1. The event celebrated the brewery’s two-and-a-half year journey to offer the island a locally owned and operated brewery.
The Guam Brewery produces Guam’s freshest beers in six delicious flavors available in kegs and cans – Guam Gold Cream Ale, Tumon Bay Hoppy Blond, Old Hagåtña Honey Rye, Island IPA, Mansanita Amber Ale, and Paseo Porter. All cans have been designed with a Guam theme to reflect the island’s Håfa Adai hospitality.
“Today is great day for the stakeholders and employees of The Guam Brewery. We set out to make fresh and delicious craft beer for our residents and visitors. Today, that dream became a reality,” said Jay Merrill, co-owner of The Guam Brewery. “We want to be Guam’s beer. We were sure to enlist the expertise of our award-winning head brewer, utilize state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, and produce beers right here on Guam soil. The designs also proudly reflect our unique culture and people.”
The Guam Brewery currently has the largest beer production facility in the region. Located behind the historic San Miguel Brewery in Harmon, The Guam Brewery is a 5,000 sq. ft., 15-barrel production brewery that is actively brewing all six of its beers. The brewery has the ability to can 60 cases per hour through its automated canning line. Head Brewer Mike Converse has already offered a specialty Oatmeal Stout for The Guam Brewery Tap House’s grand opening event on Oct. 5 in Tumon.
Head Brewer Mike Converse gave guests and local media a tour of the facility and first-taste of the canned beers. He discussed his goal of producing extremely fresh and delicious craft beers that resonate with the local palate. He also noted that Guam’s visitors can now enjoy excellent locally produced craft beers while on island.
The newly canned brews will be available through exclusive distributor Island Beverage Distributors (IBD).
EJ Calvo, vice president and general manager of IBD said to the crowd, “Every country must have a national beer to celebrate and enjoy life as a community and give its visitors a taste of fresh local flavors. The founders of The Guam Brewery were able to accomplish that today. This is an exciting day for Guam. We now have the opportunity to offer great export products.”
All Guam Brewery beers have been carefully crafted by award-winning Head Brewer, Mike Converse, who has won top honors in craft beer competitions across the United States. He has won gold medals for his honey rye ale, porter ale, Bushwhacker, and amber ale. His passion, artistry, and love of craft beer are evident in every batch he brews. Converse is also training an assistant brewer and cellar man from Guam to learn the art of brewing.
Calvo added, “We will make The Guam Brewery’s products available at restaurants and bars and on retail shelves around the island very soon. We are proud to offer beers to our customers that are brewed and packaged right here in Guam.”
Merrill thanked supporters for their positive response to the products. “We are grateful and humbled by the support we’ve received from our community already. We believe we have a product that our residents can be proud of and hope they can share with their friends and family around the world that Guam can produce a great beer product.”
The Guam Brewery is a proud member of the Brewers Association, and all of its beers have achieved the Made in Guam designation. All six flavors can be enjoyed at the brewery’s official tasting house — The Guam Brewery Tap House — where they also serve craft foods made with the finest ingredients and served with Guam’s warmest Håfa Adai spirit. The Guam Brewery Tap House is located in the heart of Tumon in the Blue Lagoon Plaza.
For more information, visit theguambrewery.com, or engage with The Guam Brewery on social media on Facebook (@theguambreweryandtaphouse), Instagram (@guambrewery), and Twitter (@GuamTap).
