Tentative Settlement Reached in Hawaii Brewery Lawsuit

The parent company of a Hawaii brewery has agreed on a tentative settlement with the plaintiffs in a lawsuit over allegations that the company’s packaging and advertising misleads customers.

West Hawaii Today reported Tuesday that Craft Brew Alliance Inc., which owns Kona Brewing Co., reported to investors last week that it expects to spend about $4.7 million to settle the suit, though the company’s general counsel says the exact figure will depend on the number of people who file claims in the case.

A federal judge in California has set a June hearing to consider preliminary approval of the class-action settlement between the plaintiffs and Portland-based Craft Brew Alliance.

Lead attorneys for the plaintiffs in the case did not return a phone call from West Hawaii Today.