Craving island vibes with a craft beer twist? You’ll quickly discover that Hawaii’s brewing scene is just as unique as its landscapes. I like Hawaiian breweries for their tropical flavors and laid-back taprooms. Check out these perfect spots for sipping under the sun.
Best Breweries
1. Maui Brewing Co.
Guided tours of the Maui Brewing Co. are available on a daily basis from the Tasting Room in Kihei. The brewery tour lasts around forty-five minutes in duration and provides a more up-close look into the brewhouse, packaging line, and cellar. The guided tours end with a beer tasting of the flagship beers led by one of the Guides. There are several tours that happen throughout the day. Guests should arrive twenty minutes before their tour time, as unclaimed reservations are filled starting ten minutes before the tour starts.
Maui Brewing Co., 605 Lipoa Pkwy, Kihei, HI 96753, Phone: 808-213-3002
2. Beer Lab HI
If you’re in Honolulu and love trying new beers, you’ve got to stop by Beer Lab HI. I found it super easy to get to. It’s right near the University of Hawaii.
When you walk into the tasting room, you’ll notice something I really appreciate: the tap list is always changing.
I’ve learned that their entire philosophy is built around experimentation, small-batch brewing, and keeping things in constant motion. Which means you’ll rarely drink the same beer twice.
One of my favorite things? It’s a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) spot. You can grab takeout from nearby eateries.
Beer Lab HI, 1010 University Ave, Honolulu, HI 96826, Phone: 808-888-0913
3. Big Island Brewhaus
The Big Island Brewhaus is an award-winning brewery that creates beer using the traditional method of brewing, but pushes established beer styles with imagination and creativity, a pursuit of character and excellence. The Brewhaus also offers a menu of handcrafted, fresh, locally sourced food that’s just as delicious and creative as the brews. Big Island works closely with local fishermen and farmers, as well as ice cream, bread, and cheese makers. Visitors can try a wide variety of beer styles in 3.5-ounce samplers, flights, half pints, pints, and possibly even goblets, including lagers, porters, pilsners, stouts, IPAs, and more.
Big Island Brewhaus, 64-1066 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743, Phone: 808-887-1717
4. Honolulu BeerWorks
Geoff and Charmayne Seiderman opened the Honolulu BeerWorks craft brewery in the Kaka’ako neighborhood in 2014. The focus has alway been on using unique imported and locally sourced ingredients in the brews craft at the brewery, producing a variety of different beers. The couple brought the process of barrel-aging to Oahu, in addition to Belgian-style ales and fresh-hop beers. The brewery features local artwork, recycled wooden walls, communal bench seating, an open-air brewpub, and two beer gardens. The food options at the brewpub are made with fresh ingredients and are designed to be a perfect complement to the beers.
Honolulu BeerWorks, 328 Cooke Street Honolulu, HI 96813, Phone: 808-589-2337
Kauai Breweries
5. Kauai Beer Company
The Kauai Beer Company opened in Lihue in the fall of 2013, and is now a beer destination for both visitors and residents alike. The microbrewery is a neighborhood brewery, producing artisan batches of quality craft beer that is served in an inviting and relaxed setting, making everyone feel right at home while they enjoy their beer. The menu of snacks at the brewery rivals the creativity of its brews, and is possibly a reason in itself for a visit to Kauai Beer Company. From the start, the craft microbrewery has defied any convention and has let the beer instead lead the way.
Kauai Beer Company, 4265 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766, Phone: 808-245-2337
6. Kauai Island Brewery & Grill
The Kauai Island Brewery & Grill is a brewpub and microbrewery located on Kauai Island in Port Allen. The brewery boasts a copper-clad showcase brewhouse that contains up to ten or more housemade beers on tap, as well as several guest beers on rotation. The pub menu offers an assortment of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, appetizers, and entrees. There is also a keiki menu for children. The full bar offers cocktails, mixed drinks, and wine. A game room is upstair with six different themed pinball machines and retro game consoles with games like PacMan, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, and more.
Kauai Island Brewery & Grill, 4350 Waialo Rd, Port Allen, HI 96705, Phone: 808-335-0006
Big Island Breweries
7. Kona Brewing Co.
The Kona Brewing Co. has more than one location on the Hawaiian islands, offering plenty of beer and food across its locations. The brewery produces mainland draft beer and bottled beer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Portland, Oregon as well in partnership with the Craft Beer Alliance. Kona also has a brewing partner located in Fort Collins in Colorado. Tour are offered at the Kona-Kailua Brewery, located on the island of Hawaii, with times available on the brewery’s website. Visitors at the brewery must be at least fifteen years of age. The brewpub first opened its doors in 1998.
Kona Brewing Co., 74-5612 Pawai Pl, Kailua Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-334-1133
8. Lanikai Brewing Company
The Lanikai Brewing Company produces one hundred percent of its beers in Hawaii and is an authentic, “Island Inspired” Hawaiian craft beer brewery. Cues are taken from exotic, rare, local, and premium ingredients that are sourced throughout the Pacific to bring flavorful and bold brews that people won’t find anywhere else. The community-based craft brewery features a tasting room that overlooks the brewery’s production floor. The tasting room is open on Thursday and Friday from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6:00pm. Guests can try samples of beers, fill growlers, and buy bottles.
Lanikai Brewing Company, 167 Hamakua Dr, Kailua, HI 96734, Phone: 808-808-1234
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