The residents of Hawaii have a special appreciation for good beers and the Big Island is big enough to host a few superb local breweries. You can order beers from these brands at most of our restaurants, buy them in shops, and even visit a the brewpub attached to a few of these breweries yourself.
We also really like the following 7-minute review of craft breweries on the Big Island by YouTube channel “Guzzle n Frag“:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC3cjPy2nTc
Kona Brewing Company (Kona)
The Kona Brewing Company is a small, independent traditional brewery in Kona. They produce beers with names like “Big Wave Golden Ale”, Longboard Island Lager”, “Fire Rock Pale Ale” and “Pipeline Porter”. They organize not-so-memorable brewery tours, but also host a Brewpub with excellent food and their own beers. A perfect place for a local night out.
The brewpub is a popular place, so call ahead for a reservation: (808) 334 BREW (2739).
Website: Kona Brewing.
Address: 74-5612 Pawai Place Kailua Kona, HI 96740
The Kona pub and brewery. Photo: Courtesy Kona Brewing Co.
Ola Brew Company (Kona + Hilo)
The Ola Brew Company is the youngest of home-grown breweries on the Big Island. They specialize in ciders and beers and use locally sourced ingredients and have plenty of parking space available. There is outdoor seating in the brew yard, good food, and a brewery tour for the dedicated beer and cider lover.
- Kona Taproom: 74-5598 Luhia Street Kailua-Kona, HI, 96740.
- Hilo Taproom: 1177 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, HI, 96740
Website: Ola Brew Company
Big Island Brewhaus (Waimea)
The Big Island started selling their home brewed beers on march 4th 2011. Its owner has won over 30 national and international awards in the previous 3 years he worked for the Maui Brewing Co, and now has started for himself in Waimea. The Big Island Brewhaus motto is Live Beer, Live Food, & Live Music.
Website:Big Island Brewhaus.
Address: 64-1066 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743
Hilo Brewing Company (Hilo)
The Hilo Brewing Company was established in 2018 by merging the Mehana and Hawaiʻi Nui brands. Coming from a longstanding tradition of brewing beer, the Hilo Brewing Company has a small tasting room that is open to the public. You can buy their beers on the premise or in several shops on the island.
Website: Hilo Brewing Company.
Address: 275 E Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720, United States
Big Island Beer Festivals
The Kona Brewers Festival (March)
This annual festival promotes craft brewing an microbreweries in Hawaii. Expect about 60 craft beers from Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland, plus gourmet food. Also special Brewer’s Dinner, Golf Tourney and Run for the Hops.
Website: Kona Brewers Festival website.
The Hilo Brewfest (June/July)
Staged on the beautiful grounds of the Hilo Yacht Club, the Hilo Brewfest offers wonderful ocean views in addition to delicious local beers and food.
This is a single afternoon event that features many local and mainland Breweries presenting over 70 individual brews for you to sample.
Website: Hilo Brewfest.