Beer in Hawaii

not sure if this is sarcasm or not. but this is patently false

 

Sure but this is a recent thing due to COVID. Wasn't always the case.

 

Brah. What iz you talking about?

Maui Brewing has a great lineup of various styles. Some of the smaller breweries on Oahu such as Inu (Kaneohe) and Broken Boundary (Honolulu) also have a diverse lineup and some really good non-pilsner/lagers (although Inu seemed to have less options during COVID).

 

Maui's coconut porter is probably the GOAT of Hawaiian beer.

 

Maybe he's talkin boutz Kona Brewing? On the Big Island the main draw is Big Island Brewhaus (BIB). 40 minute drive from Kona. Most islanders or visitors to Kona or Hilo dont want to make the easy drive to BIB. I guess its an island thing. But their Overboard, Golden Sabbath, BA Golden Sabbath, Dark Sabbath, Holy Humulus, Hoptopias & Red Sea Of Cacao are all spot on for the islands. Yes I always bring my local cans from OC/LA area with me on my travels to share and enjoy while drinking some of the local stuff. But I never pass on BIB when I'm on the Big Island. I do hit up Kona Brewing our last day before catching our flight back to LAX. But only for their pizza and special drafts brewed there. Ola Brew would be my second choice when there. But they specialize too much on the seltzers. Otherwise their regular beers offered are okay to good. Nothing I'd bring home with me. Hawaii has come a long way in craft beers.

 

I'm totally in synch with you on BIB. BIB and Ola's are must when we visit, and even enjoy Kona for the exact same reason (food and specialty beers). The good news is that I will be on Oahu for a month this summer and I can find bombers of BIB in many stores (my go to's are Dark Sabbath and Red Sea of Cacao).

 

Just make sure the BIB bombers are fresh or somewhat fresh. I’ve had nasty Overboard bombers many times on the BI. Even at Pineapples I’ve had a bad bottle. I don’t know why they use the batch # on their bottles. So always buy from the source when I’m
On the BI. Not sure how they are on the other islands.

 

I'm visiting Kauai this week, my second time here. I really got to harp on the previous sentiment that if you are looking for an incredible beer experience, brace yourself and fall back on your favorite Shelfies, you can find them fresh enough out here. Fresh Squeezed and Maui Big Wave were my hotel room stocked beers, both under 60 days old. For the insane logistics to get either beer out here, I'm pleased.

Revisited Kauai Beer Company, shocked to see the beer selection does not rotate. The same offerings I saw over a year ago are simply brewed year round, with the exception of a maibock I had, which was good. Also had Kauai Island Brewing, I think I have to share the same sentiment that it's good. It's not like treking all the way out to Lake Isabella and finding Kern River Brewing, a world class brewery nestled deep into the greater California mountain range. But, both are worth a tick imo if you are in the two areas, just don't expect anything world class, and don't expect the same on your bottle shop hunt.

My best advice for good drinking wherever on the island is Koloa Rum Company's premix mai tai, available at any ABC store or pretty much anywhere else. Their premade makes a better mai tai than almost anywhere else, and the 200ml single serve is perfect to pack out, or the 750ml bottle is great to keep stocked in the hotel fridge. Otherwise, enjoy Maui, Honolulu Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Deschutes... Should eventually find something fresh from any of them. But trust me on sticking to no beer on your island holiday.

 

Second your recommendation on the Koloa Rum offerings. You can even get them at Costco on the islands. If you fly Hawaiian airline, they will offer Koloa Rum Punch. Good stuff!