Honolulu Beerworks

Sommelier Audit Deconstruction

Honolulu Beerworks was one of the pioneers of the Kakaʻako brewing scene, opening its doors well before the neighborhood became the dense cluster of taprooms and breweries it is today. That first-mover status still matters — this is a brewery with an established, confident identity rather than one still finding its footing. An overall score of 4.3 reflects a well-rounded operation: nothing here feels like a weak link, and the taproom has the settled, comfortable energy of a place that's been doing this long enough to know exactly what it is. It's a good anchor point if you're working your way through Kakaʻako's other stops, since it set the tone for a lot of what came after it. The Kewalo's Cream Ale is the easy recommendation — smooth, sessionable, a good barometer for the brewery's overall approach — while the CoCoWeizen is worth ordering if you want something distinctly Hawaiʻi, coconut folded into a wheat beer in a way that actually works rather than feeling gimmicky. For visitors, this is a solid first stop in Kakaʻako, the one that gives context for everything else nearby. For locals, it's the dependable original that's earned its place.

From the Tasting Ledger

Beers we've reviewed from Honolulu Beerworks

Cocoweizen

Honolulu Beerworks // 8.1/10

Kewalos Cream Ale

Honolulu Beerworks // 7.8/10