Industry Alcoholic beverage | Headquarters Los Angeles, CA Website www.primobeer.com Founded 1897 | |
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Primo Brewing Company is a Honolulu-based beer manufacturing company. The company claims the title "Hawai’i’s original beer". The brand is currently owned and operated by Pabst Brewing Company.
History
Around 1897 or 1898 the Honolulu Brewing & Malting Company was formed by Honolulu industrialist Alfred Hocking, launching the Primo Lager brand in 1901. From 1920 to 1933 prohibition caused Primo to halt operations. Other important milestones include;
Primo and its parent company revitalized its distribution and marketing since 2007, making it an icon of sorts on the islands. Primo is a key sponsor at many watersport events like surf contests and appears in many bars and stores throughout the state of Hawaii. Although the front office is located in Honolulu and the main Pabst headquarters is in Los Angeles, CA, the Primo Lager sold in state is produced on the island of on Kauai at the Keoki Brewing Company, which still adds sugar cane to each batch.
In May 2007 Keoki Brewing Company was bought by Hawaii Nui Brewing Company. Portions of the island based proceeds go to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and toward preserving Hawaiian culture, land and heritage.