Need to know some brewpubs to check out Definitely going to Kona, I grew up in Waikoloa so I'm excited to Revisit, it's been too long. Cheers
Big Island Brew Haus in Waimea is worth a stop, the coconut porter is impressive. Edit: BA lists the location as Kamuela.
This thread from a few months back may help, not sure though since your going to the Big island. Cheers. http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/hawaii-honeymoon-what-where-to-drink.24963/#post-304607
I went there few months back, stayed in Waikoloa (which was awesome). Definitely hit Kona (maybe get lucky and get Bour-Bar Da Grind - I did). Take the tour and you get 4-5 free samples. What was nice is that the samples were all their hard to get beers, one-off's, etc. It wasn't their standard fare. Also, they have AMAZING pizza! Get the pizza! One negative - it's kind of in the middle of a shopping center. Tour sample table: I stopped by Big Island Brewhaus as well but the food was terrible - only go there for the beers [EDIT: Well, terrible for me - I live in San Diego. Maybe someone from Idaho would find it delicious?) I liked all their browns and Porters - esp. their famous White Mt Porter. Don't be expected to be blown away by anything else. Their belgians were bad (IMHO). Big Island Brewhaus: Big Island Sampler: Finding craft is tough, but I did manage to find some Lagunitas and a few others. I just stocked up at the nearby Costco and bought the Kona variety pack. Also downed many Lava Flows as I'm sure you will too.
Went to Kona few months ago to see family. Here is a quick run down Kona brewing, Meh, the least fav. Mahena, or Hawaii Nui Brewing in Hilo is cool to check out if your on that side of the island. Free tasters, no bar to drink pints, but can get growlers, 6'ers and 22's to go. Big Island Brewhaus was our most fav with local brew. Food is meh like mentioned before, but the old brewmaster for Maui Brewing runs this joint now. Some beers listed had similar tastes and names, go figure. If your looking for beer pubs, Humpy's on Alii drive (old hard rock) is worth checking out. Bottle shops: there is a bottle shop in Hawi called Lighthouse liquors, they have lots of Rouge and Sierra nevada beers, they were selling 30th grand cru for 7.99.but I think they were trying to get rid of them. There is also a wine/bottle shop in Waimea as well. (forget the name), off the main fwy/rd. They had lots of Belgians and found tons of Old Rasputin Anniversary XI for 19.99.
Kona Wine Market is solid. They had some victory at sea and other deliciousness for pretty decent prices. On the big island, they're by far the best I've found for a bottle shop.
I had a great burger at Big Island Brewhaus. Also really enjoyed their beers - they had a tasty pale ale.
I was incredibly impressed with their Pau Hana Pale Ale (they had 2 pale ales, both were good, I thought the Pau Hana was incredible though). Maybe the best pale ale I've ever had - extremely sessionable. Can't recommend the BI Brewhaus enough though - it's great.
