6 Locally Crafted Libations on Maui
Enjoy a taste of aloha with these beers, wines and liquors produced in the Valley Isle.
In an island paradise known for stereotypical tiki drinks like the mai tai and lava flow, there’s nothing more refreshing than a locally produced libation made with Maui-grown ingredients. Join us on a spirited exploration from the slopes of Haleakalā to the heart of Kīhei, unveiling six varieties of beer, wine and liquor all crafted in the Valley Isle.
Haliʻimaile Distilling Co.
Made using local Maui-grown ingredients and Hawaiian spring water, this distillery has a variety of liquors under its belt. The company is known for its pineapple-distilled Paniolo Blended Whiskey, Mahina Premium Rum made using Kona coffee, Fid Street Hawaiian Gin with 11 botanicals and Hawaiian fruits, and the award-winning Pau Maui Vodka. These small-batch liquors have been living up to the founder’s goal of creating “Hawaiʻi in a bottle” for nearly 15 years. Distillery tours ($10) are available for all ages, which can be followed by a tasting ($15) that offers three samples to each person over the age of 21.
883 Hali’imaile Road, Makawao, (808) 758-5154, haliimailedistilling.com.
Mahalo Aleworks
Photo by Ryan Siphers
This Upcountry taproom and brewery features a rotating selection of beer made using wild Maui yeast and hyper-local seasonal fruit. The fully solar brewery employs various eco-friendly practices, including a circular production cycle that gives spent grains to local farmers to make compost that fertilizes the produce used in its fruit-based beers. Recent offerings like the Mandarin Gose and Lilikoʻi sour ales incorporate mandarin orange juice and lilikoʻi (passion fruit) from Kupaʻa Farm, respectively. Brewery tours are topped off with a tasting of four 5-ounce pours of beers available on tap, while the taproom is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
30 Kupaoa St., Suite 101, Pukalani, (808) 878-6058, mahaloaleworks.com.
Maui Brewing Co.
Maui Brewing Co. is Hawaiʻi’s largest brewery. // Photo courtesy of Maui Brewing Co.
The largest craft brewery in Hawaiʻi, Maui Brewing Co. is dedicated to making its award-winning alcoholic beverages 100% locally. The company has eight core beers available year-round, including the iconic Bikini Blonde lager and Big Swell IPA. This brewery also produces limited releases, ginger and root beer sodas, Maui Hard Seltzer and Kupu Spirits. Take a production facility tour of the brewery, located in Kīhei, which includes the brewhouse, cellar and packaging line followed by a guided beer tasting ($20), or opt to skip right to the fun part of sampling the finished product. Enjoy drinks alongside island-inspired, brewery-to-table cuisine at one of three restaurants on Maui, including Kīhei, Kāʻanapali and Kahana.
605 Lipoa Parkway, Kīhei, (808) 201-2337; 2525 Kāʻanapali Parkway, Lahaina, (808) 830-2337; 4405 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina, (808) 669-3474, mauibrewingco.com.
MauiWine
After opening in 1974, instead of waiting for the newly planted vineyard to mature, vintners created a sparkling wine using Maui Gold pineapple. To this day, MauiWine is the only winery in Hawaiʻi that produces sparkling wine. The best-selling Maui Blanc debuted in 1977 followed by two other pineapple wines, Maui Splash and Hula O Maui. The lineup now includes estate-grown grape wines, including Syrah, Malbec, Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Gewurztraminer varietals. Additionally, a line of Rose Ranch wines features a Lehua raspberry dessert wine, Lokelani sparkling rosé, Kula white wine and Mele red blend. Wines can be enjoyed by the glass as well as in flights or cocktails, to be paired with light bites and scenic views from the historic property.
14815 Piʻilani Highway, Kula, (808) 878-6058, mauiwine.com.
Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery
Photo courtesy Ocean Organic Vodka via X
This 80-acre organic farm and distillery on the slopes of Haleakalā produces Ocean Organic Vodka, Kula Rum, Brum Rum and Fy Gin. Founded by born-and-raised Maui resident, Shay Smith, his family business is committed to using sustainable farming practices to ensure high-quality, eco-conscious ingredients. The award-winning vodka incorporates organic sugar cane and deep-ocean mineral water. Farm and distillery tours as well as guided tastings ($17.28) are available everyday. Additionally, The Café at The Point is an alfresco locale perfect for sipping on farm-to-glass cocktails that can be paired with bites like Maui-style pūpū, housemade flatbread pizzas and more, all made with locally grown produce.
4051 Omaopio Road, Kula, (808) 877-0009, oceanvodka.com.
Waikulu Distillery
A farm-to-bottle distillery that uses 100% Maui-grown blue agave, Waikulu Distillery products are only available in the Valley Isle at participating retail stores, restaurants, bars and, of course, the farm’s tasting room. Premium agave spirits include Silver; ʻŌpio, which is barrel aged for three months; ‘Ohana Reserve; Smoke Pepa, which incorporates smoked chile peppers; and two aged varieties that are coming soon. Agave thrives in the Upcountry environment, and a little can go a long way as one plant can yield 40 bottles of spirits. Take a tour of the farm and eco-conscious distillery ($43) with a spirit tasting ($65), or skip straight to the pours with a three-flight tasting for $15 or a five-flight tasting for $22.
3275 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, (808) 743-8478, waikulu.com.
