Maui’s Beach House Beer Opens Brewery and Taproom in Chinatown

Photo: Alexander Gates

To the delight and surprise of many, Maui’s Beach House Beer Co. opened a brewery and taproom last week in Honolulu, with new beers soon ready to pour. In just three weeks, the former Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing space was transformed into one that tricks you into thinking you are on the beach instead of King Street in Chinatown.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Beach House’s vision is to be a chill and welcoming place to unwind after a hot day in the sun or a long one at the office. Amid bright white and pastel colors, verdant plants and wicker and bamboo accents is a variety of seating: traditional bar stools and small tables, window swings and even a tiki hut with low chairs and pillows. The place actually feels larger than before, a great place for small groups or events.

SEE ALSO: A Hui Hou, Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing

Photo: Alexander Gates

On the food front, culinary director Andrew Koval tells me that the ovens in the Chinatown location inspired the creation of handmade pizzas using a house dough and signature sauces. At a hosted tasting, I tried the Kamuela Tomato Caprese pizza ($16) with San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, Kamuela tomatoes, basil, balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil. Koval says the produce comes from suppliers in Chinatown, in an effort to support the neighborhood they now call home.

Other pizzas include Kimchi Pork, Peri Peri Chicken, and Spicy Pepperoni. Koval’s ranch dressing pops with dill and lemon zest—be sure to get a side to dip your pizza. Or try it on a Beach House Salad, served deconstructed to show off the freshness and vivid colors of each ingredient. The menu is expected to expand in coming months.

The company started in Lahaina with a taproom and restaurant late last year but temporarily closed Maui operations to move to Honolulu. “Places that locals love to go, visitors will follow,” says Arielle Tavis, head of operations. So Beach House will offer a 10% discount for kama‘aina and military.

Photo: Alexander Gates

Now for my favorite part, the beer! You may have seen Beach House’s signature cans in bottle shops around the islands. The beer has been contract-brewed in California, but brewing locally was always part of the plan, and the first batches are already pouring on draft. The Craft Cerveza (5% ABV) is the first beer produced in the new space under Beach House’s new brewer, Mike Romeo, with assistance from Stewbum’s Darren McGarvey, who built the system. My favorite, the Haupia Black Lager, is next on deck and will be ready soon. Beers currently available have a fruity beach vibe: Liliko‘i White Ale (5.5% ABV), Hazy Lime Pale Ale (5.4% ABV), and a Sour IPA (7% ABV).

SEE ALSO: Reviving Downtown and Chinatown

Full pours of all beers are $9 or you can get a flight of four for $14. The flight trays, incidentally, are made with wood reclaimed from beams that needed to be replaced in the Lahaina Beach House Taproom, so they have found continued use. During happy hour, signature cocktails are discounted to $12, Beach House beers are $6 and wines are $8. Guest beers from Honolulu Beerworks and Hana Koa Brewing are on tap while Beach House develops recipes and expands its own selections.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m., 96 N. King St., @beachhousebeerco