If you’re craving locally made beers, hand-crafted cocktails and brick fire pizza, look no further than Lanikai Brewing Co. Founded in 2014, the business — which has locations in both Kailua and Volcano (outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) — is known for its Island-inspired beers and spirits, according to the VP of sales and marketing Samantha Hall.
“They reflect the unique flavors and vibrant culture of the Islands,” Hall says. “From our signature Pillbox Porter to our refreshing lemongrass gin, each of our products highlights at least one locally grown ingredient, giving you a true taste of paradise in each sip.”
The business started as a small tasting room off of the brewery floor, right down the road from its current Kailua location, according to Hall.
“We opened the family-friendly taproom you see today in 2017,” she says. “We just opened our second location in Volcano this past July.”
The biz was recently awarded a 2025 Hawaiʻi Green Business Award for its efforts in sustainability. All of its locally made products are packaged in the Kailua warehouse.
“We also utilize the first fully eco-friendly four-pack ring made from fiber by-product waste, designed to replaced plastic rings,” Hall says. “They are fully compostable and biodegradable. Our line of beers and spirits have been awarded a multitude of awards, as well.
“Our primary values surround supporting local agriculture and promoting environmental sustainability,” she adds. “We work closely with local farmers to purchase their grade B product that would ultimately go to waste or supply them with spent grain to feed their animals.”
The biz offers a variety of year-round brews and seasonal releases. Its products are sold state-wide, according to Hall, and can be found in Foodland, Safeway, ABC Stores and others.
Its Kailua taproom offers more than beers on draft; customers can choose from signature cocktails, refreshing mocktails, pūpū, sandwiches, salads and pizzas.
Popular cocktails include the E Komo Mai Tai ($18) — complete with Lanikai Spirits Macaretto and pineapple rum with Koloa spiced and dark rum — and The Floor is Guava ($17), made with Lanikai Spirits pineapple rum, guava, coconut, lime and triple sec.
“For mocktails, the Kailua Mule ($10) — ginger beer, pineapple and lime juice — and I Lava You ($10), with pineapple, coconut cream and grenadine, are a few of my favorites,” Hall says.
The taproom’s breadsticks — choose from the classic ($13), cheesy jalapeno ($15) or pesto and hot honey ($15) — are customer favorites, according to Hall. The latter features classic breadsticks topped with pesto and hot honey; it’s a must-have combo if you enjoy nutty flavors with a dash of spice.
The Caesar salad ($15) and The Italian sandwich ($18) — comprising Alfredo, salami, Ezzo pepperoni, pepperoncini, grape tomatoes, local greens, Italian dressing and mozzarella — are also popular orders.
Pizzas feature freshly made dough that’s hand-stretched to order. The 12-inch pies are cut into six slices.
Crowd favorites include La Suprema ($23) — a hearty combo of red sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, kalamata olives, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella — King of the Dill ($19) and Bee’s Knees ($23).
King of the Dill includes ranch, dill pickle chips, bacon, dill, parmesan and mozzarella. The Bee’s Knees ($23) is a savory combo of pesto, pepperoni, mozzarella, goat cheese and spicy honey. The pizza’s cheesiness provides a nice balance to the hot honey.
“The Bee’s Knee’s is a staple of our menu,” Hall confirms.
Customers can look forward to more seasonal products to be released next year, including limited-release sours and shave ice tropical seltzers (li hing lemonade, strawberry pineapple, and mango lemonade).
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CONTACT
Lanikai Brewing Co.
167 Hamakua Dr., Kailua
Lanikaibrewing.com
Instagram: @lanikaibrewing
Open 12-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
