According to a study by the D.C.-based Beer Institute, 76 percent of Americans watching the big game plan on drinking beer. Instead of opting for the ones you’ll see in the famous commercials, why not enjoy a refreshing and flavorful local craft beer. Here are our top 10 local game day beer picks!
Our Favorite Game Day Beer Picks
You’re wrapping up your preparations for The Big Game and making your final beverage selections. We’re happy to make that easier for you with our local game day beer picks! We’ve include each brews ABV and IBU (International Bitterness Unit which is basically perceived bitterness) when available. Enjoy one of these local Hawaii brews – we certainly enjoyed testing them for you! Cheers! 🍻
Kewalo’s Cream Ale by Honolulu Beerworks
A craft brewery on a mission to bring the flavors of Hawaii to the local beer-loving community, Honolulu Beerworks (Oahu) utilizes locally-sourced ingredients in their range of craft beers. Check out one of their core beers, Kewalo’s Cream Ale. It’s an extremely drinkable light-bodied refreshing ale. The light malt flavors are balanced by a touch of herbal hops to provide a clean and crisp finish.The soft nose of pears and apples follows through in the taste. Save this one for the halftime show!
Cream Ale @ 5% ABV 20 IBU
Photos (excluding top right) courtesy of Honolulu Beerworks
Lihue Lager by Kauai Beer Co.
A cozy craft microbrewery located in Lihue, Kauai Beer Company first opened its doors in 2013 and has been going strong ever since. If you have the chance to stop by, we highly recommend it. Father and Son tag-team Jim and Justin are one of our favorite dynamic duos in Hawaii’s brewing community and we’re thrilled to call them friends! Their Lihue Lager is a malty German style pale lager, with a mix of traditional and tropical flavored hops. Kick off your game day festivities with this easy drinking and refreshingly light beer.
German Style Pale Lager @ 5% ABV
Photos courtesy of Kuai Beer & Craftbeer.com (bottom left)
Ma’a by Ola Brewing Co.
Ola Brew Co. of Kailua-Kona has a mission to encourage Hawaii’s agricultural economy by purchasing local ingredients and incorporating them into their beers and ciders. Their Ma’a Ale has a combination of German and American hops that create a light, crisp beer, along with a German style kolsh yeast making this the perfect beer to enjoy with all those game day snacks.
Island Lager @ 5.1% ABV and 14 IBU
Photos (bottom left and center) courtesy of Ola Brew
The Macdaddy by Olomana
In Kailua, outside of Honolulu, Olomana Brewing is mixing up some truly unique brews using Hawaiian ingredients. Take their Mac Daddy Amber – an easy drinking American Amber Ale made with local Macadamia Nut Honey from their friends at Meli and infused with locally grown Macadamia nuts to give the perfect balance of nut and malt. Doesn’t that sounds delightful? Trade your peanuts for mac nuts and game on!
Amber Ale 5.9% ABV
Photos courtesy of Olomana Brewing Co.
Malolo Special Pale Ale by Big Island Brewhaus
Located in the charming town of Waimea, Big Island Brewhaus is a favorite local hangout. They believe great beer deserves great food which deserves great people who deserve great live music. Our kinda people. Their Malolo is a true session beer. A light American Pale Ale is brewed with Munich malt and a blend of American hops to keep you coming back for more, even into overtime.
Special Pale Ale @ 6% ABV and 40 IBU
Photos courtesy of Big Island Brewhaus (top left, top right & bottom left)
Maui Lime Lager by Maui Brewing Co.
Our friends at Maui Brewing Co. have been making authentic ales and lagers “brewed with aloha” since 2005. They continue to innovate with so much passion, while remaining steadfast in local production and leading the way in the craft beer way of life. Their Maui Lime Lager is a Mexican style lager with local Maui limes. This beer is most definitely synonymous with good times.
Lager @ 4.8% ABV and 30 IBU
Photos courtesy of Maui Brewing Co. (top left) and Brewbound (top right)
Random Dance Party by Hana Koa
The new and ever innovative Hana Koa Brewing (Oahu) has a serious thirst for adventure. They love to push the envelope with unexpected flavors and their passion for the brewing craft comes through in every pint. We can think of no better beer to round out the party and get the touchdown dance juices flowing than their Random Dance Party. This hazy pale ale hopped with azacca, citra, and amarillo gets that base line of sweet goodness going on your lips, starting a random dance party on your taste buds.
Hazy IPA @ 4.2% ABV
Photos courtesy of Hana Koa Brewing
Route 70 by Lanikai Brewing Company
Located in the east coast town of Kailua (Oahu), we highly recommend visiting Lanikai Brewing Company’s recently opened Tasting Room for a sample of some of their island-inspired, 100% Hawaii made brews. If you really wanna shake things up, try their Route 70 Saison. Hibiscus flowers bring tartness balanced by a faint clove and peppery yeast profile with a touch sweetness from local organic Ohia Lehua Hawaiian honey from the Big Island. Crisp and dry with a tart finish.
Saison @ 7% ABV and 28 IBU
Photos courtesy of Lanikai Brewing Co.
Talk Story Pale Ale by Kohola Brewing
Kohola Brewery is a local, independent craft brewery located in the heart of Lahaina, Maui. They believe that good beer makes everything else better, and we could not agree more. Level up your game day offerings with Kohola’s Talk Story – a smooth, grainy, and slightly bready, hop forward Pale Ale. In Hawai’i, “talk story” just means to sit around and chat, so grab your Talk Story Pale Ale and get ready to debate about all those challenge calls, pass interference reviews and sketchy officiating.
Pale Ale @ 5.1% ABV and 42 IBU
Photos courtesy of Kohola Brewery
Volcano Red Ale by Hilo Brewing Co
Established in 2018 from a longstanding tradition of brewing beer in Hilo, Hawaii (Big Island), the Hilo Brewing Company produces and delivers the highest quality hand crafted beer to Hilo and Big Island communities, the State of Hawaii and the rest of the world. Named in respect for the active volcanoes on the Island of Hawaii, Volcano Red Ale is a fuller-bodied ale bred in the tradition of American Craft Red Ales. The reddish color and slight malt are achieved by using the highest quality special malts & hops. Goes great with Barbecue!
Red Ale @ 5.25% ABV and 23 IBU
Photos courtesy of Hilo Brewing Co.
TOUCHDOWN!
We hope our Top 10 Local Game Day Beer Picks inspire you to think “out of bounds” and try something new this Sunday! And hey, if you ever want to experience all the craft beer that Maui has to offer, along with other craft food and beverages, we’ve got you covered. Join us for our Taste of Maui tour – our feature tour this month – available for a special price! Book here today and SAVE!
