The Year in Beer: Who Opened, Who Closed and Best Beers of 2023

Highs, lows and standouts of a year unlike any other.

December 28, 2023

Alexander B. Gates,

Photo: Alexander Gates

Reflecting on the year in beer has become a fun tradition for me. But 2023 was one of changes and challenges. While it felt more normal—no restrictions and easier travel meant more visitors found their way to Hawai‘i’s breweries—the fires on Maui took with them Koholā Brewery, Waikīkī Brewing’s Lahaina brewpub and later, Chinatown’s Beach House Beer Co., a Lahaina-based business that expanded to Honolulu just this year.

On a brighter note, a new partnership has Kona Brewing Hawai‘i brewing Koholā’s beers to get its draft brews and cans back in bars and stores across the state. Koholā has optimistic plans for a new taproom in Wailea early next year and a brewery soon after.

Who opened in 2023? Nāpali Brewing on Kaua‘i, Wailuku Brew Works on Hawai‘i Island and Howzit Brewing on O‘ahu. Expansions were proof of a robust beer scene: Beer Lab Hawai‘i debuted a new production facility and beer garden on Beretania Street in Honolulu. Waikīkī Brewing opened a bar in Royal Hawaiian Center’s Waikīkī Food Hall. Broken Boundary Brewery rebranded as Kalihi Beer and is expanding. After a wildfire-induced delay, Maui Brewing opened a fourth location in Ka‘anapali. Kaua‘i Island Brewing opened a second taproom and whiskey bar. A stalwart of the beer scene, Big Island Brewhaus switched from glass bomber bottles to cans.

Now for the fun part: the best beers. This year I used a highly scientific approach—I chose the ones I loved drinking at each brewery. Each beer has a special meaning, a fun memory attached or was simply the best that brewery had to offer. Each was first brewed or released in 2023. (Read carefully, and you’ll spot my favorite beer of the year.)

O‘ahu

Aloha Beer Co.: Kaka‘ako Tripel ABV 9%—a big, warming beer, cleanly made with a strong boozy profile, it’s a fun sipper on chilly evenings.

Beer Lab Hawai‘i: Flash Black IPA ABV 7%—Black/Cascadian IPAs used to be everywhere, but now are tough to find. Thankfully, this was brewed to celebrate the new Beretania location.

Hana Koa Brewing Co.: Nectachronicon IPA ABV 6.6%—A collaboration with Ghost Town Brewing of Oakland, this one showcased just how great an IPA can be when talented brewers work together.

Honolulu Beerworks: Kōkua IPL ABV 4.2%—As part of Maui Brewing’s benefit for those affected by the fires, this was brewed as a citrusy and clean India Pale Lager, another style I wish were still easy to find.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Howzit Brewing: J.R.E.A.M. Double IPA ABV 8.9%—The first beer I tried at Hawai‘i’s newest brewery was also my favorite. It showcased the brewer’s experience and the signature style of the Kaka‘ako brewery.

Inu Island Ales: Space Balloon Hazy IPA 6.5%—I love Inu’s hazies; this was a highlight on hot summer days. Inu recently welcomed a new brewer, so look for new beers on tap soon.

Kalihi Beer: Bourbon Barrel Detective Stout #6 ABV 9.8%—What’s more fun than a beer that gives you an assignment? Amateur brewing detectives get to guess the adjunct ingredients. This one was so big, balanced and flavorful that no one guessed them all correctly.

Lanikai Brewing Co.: Go For Broke Triple IPA ABV 11.2%—A balanced triple IPA is tough to find due to the extreme alcohol and hop flavors, but the addition of mango and jabon just added to the experience. This may have been my favorite beer of the year.

Lōkahi Brewing Co.: 3 Putt Pilsner ABV 4%—Easy drinking, clean and well made, a great pilsner on tap is always the mark of a good brewery—plus the low alcohol means you can have more than one.

Waikīkī Brewing Co.: Ula La Red IPA ABV 7.2%—A fun play on words and another exceedingly difficult-to-find style (seeing a theme here?), this super clean red IPA highlights strong roasted malt and floral hop flavors. It was great having it with friends from Down Under.

Hawai‘i Island

Big Island Brewhaus: Migoto Rice Lager ABV 4.4%—A highlight of the Kona Brewers Festival that quickly tapped out, this ultra clean lager had a balanced rice sweetness. I’m hoping this will be released in cans soon.

Hilo Brewing Co.: Hawaiian Crow Porter ABV 5.3%—I’m cheating a little here as this was an original beer under Mehana Brewing but flew back after being absent for years. Hilo Brewing is under new ownership, so I look forward to new beers next year.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Kohanaiki Brewery: Aloha Warrior Pale Ale ABV 5.1%—Hawai‘i’s only private brewery, Kohanaiki beers are impossible to get except on the property or from the brewer. This was a unique experience, a live yeast beer with no funkiness, clean and refreshing in the hot Kona sunshine or paired with barbecued meats.

Kona Brewing Hawai‘i: Bay Runner Imperial IPA ABV 9.4%—Kona had many excellent Backyard Batch beers this year, but this surprise had me visiting the Koko Marina pub many times before it disappeared. Gorgeous and decadent, it was a classic beer the world needs more of.

Ola Brew Co.: B-rad’s Oatmeal Stout ABV 5%—Deep dark brown with roasted coffee and slightly burnt notes, this packed a ton of flavor in a creamy, low-alcohol beer.

Wailuku Brew Works: Bay Water Brown Ale ABV 6.1%—A highlight of the Hilo Brew Fest, this was one of Wailuku’s first publicly released beers. The name is a playful jab about the water color of Hilo Bay after rain, so it was fun having it during downpours the day of the festival.

Maui

Koholā Brewery: Lahaina Haze ABV 6.3%—I must cheat on this one, as there wasn’t much time to try new beers. Those I did try were consistently well made with juicy hop flavors. I am thankful the future looks bright for Koholā.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Mahalo Aleworks: Amber Ale ABV 4.6%—I finally got to visit the brewery in Makawao this year and loved my experience. Amber ales are delicious and beautiful to behold but often not the flashy styles people seek out. Mahalo’s proves you have to stick around and try the rest of the beers.

Maui Brewing Co.: Kaitangata New Zealand IPA ABV 6.2%—Maui Brewing had a huge year due to its charitable outreach with the Kōkua Beer Project and acquisition of San Diego’s Modern Times Beer. I was thankful to have had this IPA a few times—there’s nothing quite like New Zealand hop flavors in a well-made beer.

Kaua‘i

Kaua‘i Beer Co.: Sleeping Giant (2023) Barleywine ABV 9.3%—There aren’t enough barleywines. Big, boozy beers, they age well but also taste wonderful when you can get them fresh. Last year, Kaua‘i Beer did a vertical of five past years, a truly rare event. This year’s lives up to the quality and pairs well with a wet and windy winter day.

Kaua‘i Island Brewing Co.: Lū‘au Lager ABV 4.8%—The world’s westernmost brewery has been growing—not just in size but in quality as well. This beer is refreshing, a perfect beer for cruise ship visitors to wet their whistle on a whirlwind island tour.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Nāpali Brewing Co.: Hele On Hells ABV 5%—Another first visit for me since Nāpali just started brewing in 2023. This beer had a refreshing profile and familiar yeast bite from yesteryear. It’ll be fun to visit again as the brewery’s signature style evolves and selections grow.

What were your favorites? Were any of them the same as mine? However you support our breweries and their employees, thank you for shopping and drinking local. Hoppiest Holidays and cheers to a prosperous New Year!