The island of Maui is known for its beautiful beaches, the wild Road to Hāna, majestic Haleakalā and its otherworldly crater, waterfall hikes, and much more.
But did you also know that Maui is home to a number of excellent craft breweries? Since its start in 2005, Maui’s craft beer scene has grown steadily. If you want to sample the island’s best, you’ll find our guide to Maui’s best breweries below.
Also, if you’re not a beer drinker—or you’ve got an expansive palate you want to cultivate—we’ve got some additional recommendations for you: Maui’s craft distilleries and its winery. Keep reading to discover all the fermented goodness that Maui has to offer.
#1: Maui Brewing Co.
Founded in 2005 by Garrett Marrero and Melanie Oxley, Maui Brewing Company has quickly become Hawaiʻi’s largest craft brewery. The brewery built its empire on four core beers (now expanded to seven year-round offerings), boosted by limited releases focused on local ingredients. Maui Brewing Co. also added canned cocktails and liquors to their roster through their Kupu Spirits line, and introduced a line of Maui Hard Seltzer. Their 2022 acquisition of San Diego brewery Modern Times has many curious to see what’s in store for Maui Brewing Co. in coming years.
Their expansive restaurant in Kīhei is well worth a visit, with indoor/outdoor seating, plenty of space, and lawn games for kids and adults alike. For a quieter, more scaled-down experience, check out the tasting room just off the main lobby. While you’re there, make sure to marvel at Maui Brewing Co.’s commitment to sustainability. In 2019, they became the first completely off-grid brewery in the U.S.
Kīhei
605 Lipoa Parkway
Kīhei, HI 96753
Lahaina
4405 Honoapiilani Hwy
Lahaina, HI 96761
Additional locations on Oʻahu in Kailua and Waikīkī.
#2: Mahalo Aleworks
Mahalo Aleworks, the newest member of the Maui brewery scene, has been a welcome addition to Upcountry Maui since it opened in 2021. The brewery turns out a solid variety of beers, including a regular rotating variety of sours crafted with local ingredients. You can’t beat the view from their upstairs patio, and their regular calendar of live music creates a convivial atmosphere in the space. Although the brewery itself doesn’t serve food, they have the Upcountry Sausage folks on site, and you can also bring over to-go food from Marlow next door. (Try an Upcountry Sausage smashburger or a sourdough pizza from Marlow!)
Finally, our favorite perk of visiting Mahalo is the variety of beverages they offer. In addition to their draft beers and rotating kombucha selection, they’ve also got a refrigerator with wine, plus non-alcoholic options like sodas and juice boxes, so you can find a drink for everyone in the family. (Kids welcome!)
Note: Mahalo Aleworks is cashless, so make sure you bring a card with you.
30 Kupaoa Street, #101|
Makawao, HI 96768
#3: Koholā Brewery
If you wonder whether the collegial spirit is alive and well in Maui’s craft brew scene, all you have to do is look at Koholā’s beginnings on Maui. Koholā, founded by two couples from Southern California, took over Maui Brewing Company’s original location in Lahaina, with the full support of Maui Brew Co. founder Garrett Marrero. Koholā’s location is a hybrid tasting room, production facility, and community gathering place, where you’ll often find a lively local crowd, thanks to a busy events calendar.
As for the beer, Koholā focuses on clean, smooth, and crushable beers that complement the Hawaiian weather. There’s no kitchen on premises, but food trucks often park at the brewery. You’re also welcome to bring your own food.
Koholā is also one of Maui’s few dog-friendly locations. Bring your pooch (as long as they’re on a leash) and enjoy a laid-back afternoon with a few of Koholā’s refreshing brews.
910 Honoapiʻilani Highway #55
Lahaina, HI 96761
#4: Waikīkī Brewing Company
Waikīkī Brewing Company got its start over on Oʻahu. Today, you’ll find Waikīkī Brewing in two spots on Maui: within the Shops at Wailea and along Front Street in Lahaina in the Outlets of Maui.
Waikīkī Brewing has won awards for several of their beers, including their Black Strap Molasses Porter, Skinny Jeans IPA, Craft Light Lager, and Jalapeño Mouth Amber Ale. For our money, the Craft Light Lager is our choice for a flavorful, easy-drinking, low-cal brew. Both locations also serve a full food menu. Snag a Bavarian Pretzel or a plate of their kiawe-smoked meats, dig in, and drink up.
Wailea Location: Shops at Wailea
3750 Wailea Ala Nui Drive, B-25
Wailea, HI 96753
Lahaina Location: Outlets of Maui
900 Front Street
Lahaina, HI 96761
Bonus: Wineries & Distilleries
Craft breweries aren’t the only game in town. Maui also has a growing array of distilleries and a winery, all making use of locally grown ingredients to create unique wines and spirits. Assemble your own personal tasting tour with the list below:
MauiWine
You’ll find Maui’s only winery along a winding road, surrounded by the verdant fields of the ʻUlupalakua Ranch in east Maui. There, MauiWine grows grapes, pineapples, and raspberries that they incorporate into their wines. We particularly like their Lokelani sparkling rosé, and their estate wines are definitely worth a glass (or two). However, the real star of the show at MauiWine is the gorgeous setting: historic buildings set among green, rolling hills and towering trees.
Between glasses, don’t miss the chance to walk around the Tasting Room in the King’s Cottage. The building was constructed in the 1870s for King David Kalākaua, who was a frequent visitor to the location, then known as Rose Ranch. You’ll find the fascinating history of the plantation-turned-ranch-turned-winery all over the walls, including the story of how King Kalākaua lost the island of Molokini in a poker game. (Or did he?)
Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery
Shay Smith, born and raised on Maui, created Ocean Organic Vodka with the intention of bringing a premium Hawaii-made product to the world. You can taste the fruits of his efforts today at the Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery. Sign up for a tasting to sample the full variety of what’s available at the distillery—Ocean Vodka, Kula Pacific Organic Rum, Hawaii Wet Organic Gin, and their ultra-premium Brum. Afterward, grab a snack and a cocktail from the café, snag an Adirondack chair, and take in the sunset from their expansive lawn. If you’ve got a family, the café is kid friendly, with plenty of room for your little ones to run around.
Hāliʻimaile Distilling Company
When in Hawaiʻi, use pineapple for your vodka. Or, at least, that’s the philosophy at Hāliʻimaile Distilling Company, which took its inspiration from the pineapple fields that surround the distillery. The company’s flagship spirit, PAU Maui Vodka, was soon joined by Mahina Premium Rum, Paniolo Blended Whiskey, and Fid Street Hawaiian Gin. Get a taste of “Hawaiʻi in a bottle” with their daily tours at their location in Hāliʻimaile.
Waikulu Distillery
When Waikulu Distillery owner Paul Turner purchased the 5-acre parcel of land off Baldwin Avenue, it was choked with overgrown cane grass. Turner spent the last ten years turning it into a thriving blue agave farm. You’ll find his “agave spirits” (the term “tequila” is technically owned by the Mexican government) in several locations around Maui. It’s on the menu at spots like Hāliʻimaile General Store and Esters Fair Prospect, as well as available at retail locations including Pukalani Superette and Wailea Wine. Although they’re not yet licensed for tastings, you can stop by the distillery for bottle sales and tours. (Or to say hi to the Chief Distillery Dog, Hendrix!)
Exploring Maui Sip by Sip
There are so many ways to get to know the island of Maui: through its beaches, its hiking trails, its waters, its people—and through its craft breweries and distilleries. As you visit each of the locations in this article, you’ll get a flavor not just for the beverages made on the Valley Isle, but also the people, ingredients, and entrepreneurship behind them.
Considering a permanent move to Maui? We’d be happy to help you relocate from the mainland, another Hawaiian island, or anywhere in the world! Just reach out to our team for a complimentary quote to get started.
