Maui's Black Rock Lager Evokes Ancestral Spirits

Ka'anapali, HI - The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa announced their partnership with Maui Brewing Company today, March 13th, for the creation of the Black Rock Lager served exclusively at the resort's pool bars and lounges.

The lager is named after the legendary lava rock formation on Ka'anapali Beach which Hawaiians believe is one of three `uhane lele, a place where souls of the dead leap from earth into their ancestral spirit land and where only a person with great spiritual strength can enter that world and return.

The Black Rock Lager embodies its name by beginning with crisp yet shallow bitterness and slightly smooth and roasted malt flavors before rising to a heavenly floral and spicy finish. An American Dark Lager, the Black Rock Lager contains 5.5% alcohol and 25 IBUs. Guests can enjoy this deceptively dark yet rewardingly refreshing craft beer while watching history come to life as the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa reenacts the legendary Cliff Dive Ceremony every evening at sunset.

"Having recently rejuvenated our guest rooms and public spaces we are excited to enter in to this partnership with Maui Brewing Co.", stated Brandon Maeda, Director of Food & Beverage at the Sheraton Maui resort & Spa. "In its relatively young, yet rich and celebrated history, Maui Brewing Co. has established itself as an innovator and originator in its own right and we share a mutual respect and direction with one another as we put our culture and natural resources first, never compromise on quality, and promise to endure for some time to come."

Maui Brewing Co. is well-known for its handcrafted ales and lagers brewed with Aloha. With a strong commitment to the environment and to truly local production, their mission is to make the highest quality craft beer using sustainable processes and local ingredients whenever possible. As Hawaii's largest Craft Brewery, Maui Brewing Co. continues to brew 100% of its products in Hawaii.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is where the legend of Ka'anapali began. Situated on Ka'anapali Beach at historic Pu'u Keka'a, Black Rock, the ocean side resort is nestled amongst 23 acres of tropical landscaping with 83 percent of the resort's 508 rooms and suites facing the ocean.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has been named the Starwood Hotels & Resorts 2007 "Hotel of the Year" for the Sheraton brand, and appeared in TRAVEL + LEISURE Magazine's list of the top 25 hotels in Hawaii in 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2011. The property has also been named to the list of the top 500 hotels and resorts in the world in 2005.

With 11 properties across the diverse Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii offers the best hotel destinations to celebrate romance, reconnect with family, focus on business or launch an adventure.

Located on or just footsteps away from the Islands' best beaches, Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii is a collection of iconic and historic hotels and resorts - properties with expansive and breathtaking backdrops, innovative guest programming and luxurious amenities representing internationally renowned hotel brands from Sheraton, Westin, Luxury Collection and St. Regis.

Maui Brewing Co. has built a reputation on creating handcrafted beers brewed using the finest natural ingredients. Founded in 2005 by Garrett Marrero and wife Melanie Oxley, Maui Brewing Co. is one of Hawaii's fastest growing companies and the islands only, and Hawaii's largest Craft Brewery.

For more information about Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa please visit www.sheraton-maui.com .