Founded in 1996 by father-and-son team Cameron Healey and Spoon Khalsa as Kona Brewing Co. in Kailua-Kona, this iconic brand eventually added West Coast production before Anheuser-Busch InBev acquired it in 2019.
AB InBev now makes and distributes Kona Brewing Co. products on the mainland, while the Kona brewery and on-site pub (and the Koko Marina Center pub on O‘ahu) are independently owned and operate under the name Kona Brewing Hawaii.
In 2021, Kona Brewing Hawaii opened its sustainable, state-of-the-art brewery and cannery near the Kona pub.
Drinking it in: Guided tours ($25) of the brewery are available by reservation and begin with a short van ride from the Kona brewpub.
Upon arrival, guests receive samples of Big Wave Pale Ale, one of the company’s inaugural brews. Friendly guides breezily discuss the company’s history, beermaking, and environmental initiatives—including using unique, ridge-topped aluminum cans made on O‘ahu—before serving 4 other larger pours at the brewery’s private Thirsty Gecko bar, which boasts an ocean-view, second-story lānai.
Book a late-afternoon tour to enjoy sunset and perhaps an extra pour.
Merch and munchies: T-shirts (from $25) and other logo wear at the Thirsty Gecko are exclusive to the tour. A well-stocked kiosk offers more apparel and other items at the pub, next to where the shuttle van drops off tour participants.
Designated drivers: The brewery tour serves beer, but the Kona pub next to the tour’s shuttle van stop serves soft drinks, including a gingerade made with local ginger and organic lemonade ($4).