Honolulu Beerworks Opens a Massive New Brewery and Taproom in Kalihi on May 10
One of the OG players in the rise of craft breweries on O‘ahu is open to the public again after closing in Kaka‘ako.
Photo: Alexander Gates
After closing its original brewpub in Kaka‘ako last year, Honolulu Beerworks reopens in a much larger space in Kalihi tomorrow, May 10. The new location is on Hart Street in the same building as Lion Coffee and features a taproom bar, merchandise shop, space to continue expanding Beerworks’ draft and canned beer for distribution across Hawai‘i and beyond—and, to the delight of longtime fans, ample free parking.
A favorite of Hawai‘i’s beer community since 2014, Beerworks was the first new brewery to open on O‘ahu at the start of the craft beer boom. The spot on Cooke Street was popular with visitors and locals and became an anchor for brewery walks of the neighborhood. Beerworks’ signature beers, support of local art and artists, and open-air spaces have all made the move to Kalihi.
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Knowing the area was slated for eventual redevelopment, owners Geoffrey Seideman and his wife, Charmayne, began looking for a new place in 2019. That was put on hold by the pandemic. After they got the Kalihi space, they kept the original brewpub open during the planning and build-out, finally closing in Kaka‘ako in late 2024 except for a “Brew Thru” pickup service for canned beer. (All brewing is still being done in Kaka‘ako until the new equipment and brewing space are ready.) “We feel very excited and fortunate to be able to still be brewing,” Geoff says, “and to have the support and demand from the community.”
Photo: Alexander Gates
The new space is gigantic. I knew it was going to be larger to accommodate more kegging and canning, but I couldn’t appreciate the how large until sales/marketing manager Mark Morin invited me to the blessing ceremony. Kahu Kordell Kekoa, a friend of the Seidemans’, led the team through a blessing to hold in the positives of the past and invite only good things in the future. Everyone touched rainwater onto a maile lei held by the Seidemans’ daughter, Keva, and then left a watermark somewhere in the building, inviting more positivity.
Photo: Alexander Gates
When you enter the new Honolulu Beerworks, to the left you’ll see a high-ceilinged bar area in the brewpub’s signature colors of blue and white. The wood bar and high back bar chairs are a welcoming sight, as is the classic chalkboard menu of core and limited beers, and there’s table seating as well. Selections of wine and cocktails round out the drink menu. Walls feature new mural art, including fun art of Beerworks’ signature brews and a “Wish You Were Beer” postcard of the Honolulu skyline.
To the right is a merchandise store with bigger selections of logo t-shirts, hats and glassware. Here you’ll also find a fridge with six-packs to go, and a new snack section selling locally made items.
Photo: Alexander Gates
The main brewing area is unmissable—a huge warehouse with brand new brewing equipment and plenty of space for future projects. “I think the biggest change that we will see is the ability to be more efficient throughout the brewing processes. With our new equipment we will be able to achieve a higher level of consistency as well,” Seideman says. “We will be able to start fulfilling the demand we have had for the past few years that we were not able to meet because of our capacity constraints.” More beer is always a good thing!
Photo: Alexander Gates
Also in this area is more seating, with a bar area overlooking the brewing floor and tables for larger groups. Previously in another warehouse, the barrel aging area is now part of the ambiance.
Parking is in front of the brewpub on Hart Street and there is permanent space for rotating food trucks.
Benefit beers and events supporting local initiatives will continue. The first benefit beer, Kahuku Ka‘upu, is an IPA with tangerine—it’s on draft and in cans now, or you can try it at Bird Is the Word, an event on May 24 to learn more about black-footed albatrosses and work being done at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge to preserve their habitat. “As a business, we want to continue to push ourselves with innovation and experimentation in what we brew,” Seideman says. And “we want to expand our conservation beer series to help raise money and awareness for various important groups that we believe make Hawai‘i a better place.”
The public is invited to the grand opening of Honolulu Beerworks’ new brewpub on Saturday, May 10 at noon. From May 15, it will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.
1632 Hart St., (808) 589-2337, honolulubeerworks.com, @honolulubeer
Alexander Gates is Frolic’s longtime beer writer.
