The best Maui breweries and craft beer bars for a cold one on the island

While you won’t get the full brewery experience here in Lahaina, MBC’s casual brewpub in West Maui is a perfect draft date without the lengthy commute. The venue is massive and perfect for a group outing, especially popular among sports fans. Grab a seat at the bar or slide into a picnic table for shared plates. The go-to bites here are pork rinds with beer cheese, loaded fries, and a tempting variety of flatbreads. You’ll find your favorite drafts from Bikini Blonde lager to Pineapple Mana wheat ale.

This little outdoor pub may be tucked away from traffic on Lahaina’s Front Street, but it’s been a top local pick year after year. On tap, you’ll find Koholā Brewery, Maui Brewing Co. and Kona Brewing classics alongside mainland favorites. Down the Hatch boasts the longest-running happy hour on Maui, 2-5 pm daily, so pair your drink of choice with a discounted app like crispy coconut shrimp. On an especially hot day, order an adult shave ice for an extra cool treat. 

The Dirty Monkey may at first be thought of as a whisky joint but this Lahaina sports pub has a serious craft beer list that is certainly worth exploring. The rotating taps mean you’ll find something different every week, but you’ll always see local brews on offer in addition to mainland features. Sample a pint from Ola Brew Company from the Big Island or a pineapple blonde from local Koholā Brewery. You’ll find an animated sports crowd on football Sundays, while breezy island nights feature DJs and dancing.

Finding an awesome brewpub in a plaza may not be the first thing that comes to mind during your search for great beer, but The Pint & Cork is a welcome addition to The Shops at Wailea for locals and visitors alike. This spacious gastropub features local beer on tap from Honolulu Beerworks, Maui Brewing Co. and Koholā Brewery, alongside their signature Pint & Cork barrel-aged draft. Burgers are a favorite here as well, along with garlic parmesan fries and lobster mac & cheese.

You won’t find a better seaside view than at Hula Grill’s Barefoot Bar in Kaanapali. Feel sugar sand underfoot as waves lap along the beachfront while you savor the exclusive house draft, Barefoot Brew, a honey amber ale crafted by Maui Brewing Co. Also try the coconut porter with tandoori roasted shrimp during “aloha hour” for a sweet and spicy pairing. Settle in for serious beach vibes as live music and hula dance take over the stage under palm trees.

After a full day of beach fun in Kihei, head into What Ales You for a rotating tap list of twenty brews. This tiny taproom is low-key, with several screens broadcasting the games of the day, and the outdoor patio is a cozy retreat for conversationalists. The house brew is the What Ales You Blonde, which perfectly complements orders of onion rings, jalapeno poppers or wings. In addition to featured state drafts, you’ll find stouts, porters and pilsners from the mainland west coast.

Leilani’s boasts an upscale casual vibe but your flip flops will fit in just fine at the Beachside Grill, just steps from the surf at Kaanapali Beach. Drop-in for happy hour to take advantage of $5 draft beers like Duke’s Blonde Ale or Longboard Lager from Kona Brewing, and pair them with discounted apps like kalua pork street tacos. You might also want to settle in and enjoy the sunset view with a Talk Story Pale Ale from Koholā Brewing Co. in hand (paired with beachside nachos, of course).

While Monkeypod is known as a favorite restaurant among chef Peter Merriman’s devotees, the amazing variety of over 30 draft beers on tap makes it a go-to on the island, especially thanks to daily happy hour deals with half-price apps and discounted brews. With live local music accompanying a scenic view along the beach, this open-air venue serves up lagers, ales and porters from across the Hawaiian Islands. For a flavor punch, opt for a pint from Big Island Brewhaus, Honolulu Beerworks, or Kona Brewing, or try a cider from Paradise Ciders in Honolulu.

By far one of the coolest venues you can find to sip on a beer is the Grotto Bar at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Not staying here? No problem. All are welcome, so settle in at the bar and order up. Grotto Bar is tucked inside a lava rock cave attached to free-flowing pools—but you needn’t swim up. Enter from the Kaanapali Beachwalk and savor a craft beer in the shade while mesmerized by surrounding waterfalls. This secluded spot is the perfect venue for a midday rendezvous.