The Year in Beer: Who Opened, Who Closed and Best Hawai‘i Beers of 2025

Photo: Alexander Gates

For many, 2025 was a strange year. For me, it was a mix of growth, fun and difficult changes (one of the hardest things in the world is losing a furry friend—shower them with love while you can). It was a mixed picture for the local beer industry, too: Closures outpaced openings, though many long-running breweries are thriving and even expanding. Thankfully, it looks like more will open in Hawai‘i in 2026 than we lost this year.

To the many beer friends I’ve had the pleasure of drinking with, mahalo for reading, and happiest holidays to you and yours. Through years of covering beer, the friends I’ve made while writing about it has always been the best part.

Beginnings, Endings and Other Transitions

Photo: Alexander Gates

On O‘ahu, Kalihi Beer found a new home in Chinatown and rebranded as Olohana Brewpub by Kalihi Beer. Their beers are again made on site, with a larger food menu and downtown vibe. Lē‘ahi Brewing Co. opened recently at Aloha Tower Marketplace and is releasing a bunch of new beers using local ingredients.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Other new places are close to opening: Hammerhead Bay Brewing in Kāne‘ohe is finalizing steps to receive its equipment. Three Peaks Brewing, formerly of Kailua, has built out a new bar space in Waikīkī and will open soon.

Waikīkī Brewing Co. hosted the inaugural Waikīkī Brewers Festival, where every brewery on island poured their beers, many brewed just for the event. Look for this festival to return early next year.

The author and friend. Photo: Alexander Gates

Farewells: Lōkahi Brewing Co. on King Street announced its closure in late December. Fans of dive bars and history are mourning the upcoming closure of Smith’s Union Bar. Founded in 1934 right after the end of Prohibition in the Territory of Hawai‘i, this Chinatown landmark has served locals, visitors and service members for 92 years.

Photo: Alexander Gates

On the neighbor islands, Koholā Brewery and Mahalo Aleworks merged and rebranded as Lāhainā Brewing Co., with taprooms in Makawao and Wailea. Canned Koholā Brewery selections will remain on store shelves as reminders of their roots; the original facility was lost to the wildfires of August 2023. Also on Maui, Koa Brewing Co. has found a permanent location in Kīhei and opened a café and coffee bar while it builds out a brewery space.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Kaua‘i Beer Co. in Līhu‘e closed its taproom and restaurant, though its draft beer will be available around the island until it runs out. Also in Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i Standard Time Brewing is slated to open in 2026. One of the oldest, Hilo Brewing Co. (formerly known as both Mehana Brewing and Hawai‘i Nui Brewing) also closed after the unexpected passing of co-owner and brewery pioneer Ron Jeffries in late 2024.

My Favorite Beers of 2025

Mahalo as always to Frolic Hawai‘i for allowing me to compile this highly scientific and not at all biased rundown of my favorite beers of the year. As always, I chose one from each brewery across the islands (alas, Kohanaiki Brewery, I didn’t get to visit you this year). I remember these beers fondly as being well made, unique or with fun memories attached. If you’re a beer fan, consider supporting our local breweries and the people that make and serve your beer. Cheers!

O‘ahu

Aloha Beer Co.: Tap Haus Märzen ABV 6.1%—Aloha Beer throws the best parties with food pairings, and a standout this year was Oktoberfest. My stein was filled multiple times with this clean beer that went so well with the rich food.

Beer Lab Hawai‘i: Fair Winds Golden Ale ABV 5.8%—Beer Lab brought to the inaugural Waikīkī Brewers Festival a special keg of golden ale aged in Kō Hana Rum barrels, a combination that usually isn’t my favorite but was done exceptionally well.

Hana Koa Brewing Co.: Space Racoon Hazy IPA ABV 7.5%—A triple collaboration in honor of their sixth anniversary, Hana Koa, Inu Island Ales and Howzit Brewing teamed up to create arguably the best hazy IPA I’ve had this year. (If you remember my choice last year, do you see a theme?)

Honolulu Beerworks: Kāhuli Brewli Red IPA ABV 5.5%—A fun substyle you don’t see much anymore, with a rich caramel malt and strong hop flavors, this beer is a benefit for critically endangered Laminell sanguinea snails. A portion of sales goes to the Snail Extinction Prevention Program.

Howzit Brewing: Mosaic Files DIPA ABV 8.5%—A clean and strong IPA that shows off the magical flavors of Mosaic hops, it drinks so easy, it’s dangerous. Also recommended as karaoke fuel.

Inu Island Ales: Island Town Brown Ale ABV 5.1%—Another rare style going back to another time, this lovely rich brown ale was also pouring at the Waikīkī festival and is a departure from Inu’s usual sours and hazies.

Kalihi Beer/Olohana Brewpub: Rappa Red ABV 6.7%—Moving took some time, but Kalihi Beer is brewing again in its new Chinatown space. This one was bright and floral, with rich malts and delightful strength to match the late-night food menu.

Lanikai Brewing Co.: ‘Uluhaus Festbier ABV 5.3%—‘Ulu or breadfruit is a Pacific island staple. It’s a real treat when it’s used this effectively in a beer; the soft and sweet ‘ulu gives this one a creamy mouthfeel, with the sweet malts and body of a festbier. Please do more with ‘ulu!

Lē‘ahi Brewing Co.: Persimmon Hefeweizen ABV 4.6%—The newest brewery was created to fund Mahi‘ai Market and the Kuilei Cliffs initiative. Their annual fundraiser featured a light and fruity hefeweizen with fresh persimmons, a fruit rarely seen in beer. Check out the new space at Aloha Tower.

Lōkahi Brewing Co.: Cali Kook DIPA ABV 6.2% —David, a friend from Brisbane, visited this year, and we enjoyed quite a few of these. A collaboration with a visiting brewer from Local Craft Beer in Tehachapi, California, this was a misleading monster of a hazy double.

Waikīkī Brewing Co.: 10^th Anniversary Barleywine ABV 11.3%—Ten years already! A favorite style, barleywines are as big, slick, resinous and strong as beers come. To celebrate a decade in business, WBC brewed its annual version and released it in limited bottles plus some for aging. You can still get it, and if anything, this style tastes better with age.

Hawai‘i Island

Big Island Brewhaus: Oktoberfiesta ABV 5.5%—I got to visit Hawai‘i’s highest brewery twice this year; with my parents and visiting friends from DC. This one is a little bit of a cheat, but it’s been many years since I’ve had it, so it was like a new experience: Rich and oh so clean, it shows off the quality of the brewing process this brewhaus has won awards for again and again.

Kona Brewing Hawai‘i: Spruce Boots with the Fir IPA ABV 6.4%—For the annual Pink Boots Society Brew Day supporting scholarships for women and LGBTQA+ in the beer industry, Kona took the hop blend and did something different. They added two types of spruce and two types of fir for a forest of flavors that was still light and floral.

Ola Brew Co.: Hoptopus DIPA ABV 8.2%—Why must all the great ones be limited cans? Ola Brew’s Hoptopus double IPA is a traditional version with piney and citrus hops, but it’s super clean and bright. The cans disappeared quickly, so get it on draft if you can.

Wailuku Brew Works: XII Ton Hammer Barleywine ABV 12%—Another amazing barleywine in a hot climate? I got to try this limited keg at this year’s Hilo Brewers Festival. A giant beer, it paired well with a rainy afternoon on the bay.

Maui

Lāhainā Brewing Co.: Rainbow Pale Ale ABV 5%—The rebranded company is slowly rolling out new limited beers, and I was grateful to be at the launch event on O‘ahu with owner Mary Anderson. The beer dinner with food pairings included Rainbow Pale Ale, and $1 of every pour goes to the Maui United Way through summer 2026.

Maui Brewing Co.: Fierce Black IPA ABV 6.2%—Combining the rich roasted flavors of coffee and chocolate with bright, piney hops, this Pink Boots Society beer is another throwback style. When benefit beers are this good, it’s easy to help!

Kaua‘i

Kaua‘i Beer Co.: Hazy IPA ABV 6.8%—On my last visit to the taproom, I loved the new and simply named Hazy IPA. On a humid and rainy day, this was much-needed refreshment.

Kaua‘i Island Brewing Co.: Chicken Skin Cold IPA ABV 6.6%—Cold IPAs were everywhere for a while, with mixed success; this one was a treat I enjoyed several times this year. Strong and refreshing with a somewhat drier profile, it makes you want another.

Mucho Aloha Brewhouse: Kōloa Sugar Mill Lager ABV 4%—A classic lager with the addition of herbal mamaki tea leaves, savory ginger and fresh sugar cane juice, this was a deceptively complex beer.

Napali Brewing Co.: Rum Barrel Aged Black Pot Lager ABV 6%—Napali’s staple Schwarzbier has a rich roasted malt and a lower alcohol. Aging it in a rum barrel made this decadent, like a barrel-aged stout but with a more approachable body.

Do you agree with my choices? Disagree? Whatever your opinions, mahalo for reading and cheers to local beer!

Alexander B. Gates, a BJCP Certified Beer Judge and Cicerone Certified Beer Server, is a regular contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i. @alohastatebeer