Hawaii has been producing beer since the mid-19th century, but it wasn’t until the early ’90s that craft breweries began to appear. In the 2010s, Hawaii’s craft beer movement was in full swing. Although the Kaka’ako neighborhood of O’ahu is a mecca for local craft beer, the top five local beers, as voted on by HAWAI’I magazine readers, are spread across the state.
1. Kona Brewing Hawai’i
Kona Brewing opened its doors in 1994 as Hawaii’s first craft brewery and has since become a nationally recognized brand. After brewing beer on the mainland for years, the father-and-son company recently opened a state-of-the-art sustainable brewery and canning facility just steps from its original location on Hawaii Island, eliminating the need for overseas shipping . If you’re on O’ahu, visit the Hawai’i Kai location at Koko Marina Center. Cool off with a refreshing low ABV Kona Light Blonde Ale. konabrewinghawaii.com
2. Maui Brewing Co.
Photo: Courtesy of Maui Brewing Co.
Maui Brewing Co., based in Lahaina, prides itself on maintaining a low carbon footprint. From using solar energy to shipping spent grain to farmers, their operations and packaging are sustainable and eco-friendly. Try the newest release: Da Hawaiʻi Life Lite Lager, a low-calorie crushable beer produced in partnership with Epic Swim Maui, a world-class event taking place on Maui this month to promote child health awareness. oceans. mauibrewingco.com
3. Kaua’i Beer Co.
Photo: Courtesy of Kaua’i Beer Co.
Open since 2013 in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi Beer Co. is the quintessential neighborhood microbrewery, serving handcrafted batches of quality craft beer and a combo menu of burgers, tacos, and shareable apps. (The Bavarian pretzel is a must.) The German-style Black Limousine schwarzbier was their first beer; The second, and possibly most popular, is Līhuʻe Lager, a malty German-style pale ale with tropical flavors. Plus, dogs are allowed! kauaibeer.com
Read more: Līhuʻe’s Kauaʻi Beer Embodies Aloha Brewing
4. Aloha Co. Beer
Since its inception, Aloha Beer Co. has been known for its clean, balanced beers brewed in traditional styles. Visit the flagship location in Kakaʻako for tastings and brewery tours or to relax in the dog-friendly beer garden, or visit their Waikīkī location on the main strip near Waikīkī Beach Walk. Try Fruit Lupes IPA, a classic beer from Aloha Beer Co. packed with tropical fruit flavor and aroma. alohaber.com
5. Big Island Brewery
Brewer Thomas Kerns, original founder of Maui Brewing Co., opened Big Island Brewhaus with his wife in 2011 to pursue his dream of creating a place in Waimea, on the island of Hawaii, for the community to come together over good beer, food and music. The beers range in a variety of styles from around the world, from lagers and pilsners to crème ales and Belgians and everything in between. He tries the White Mountain Porter, a sensual porter infused with toasted coconut and Hāmākua Estate coffee with notes of milk chocolate and dark malt. bigislandbrewhaus.com
See all the winners of our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards in our latest issue, which you can purchase here. Even better, subscribe and receive HAWAIʻI magazine directly to your mailbox.
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