Who doesn’t like going to Hawaii? But can you find good local beer in Hawaii? The answer is a resounding yes and my next fun and delicious brewery to visit is Lanikai Brewing.

Located down a little side alley in Kailua, Oahu, Lanikai Brewing is the epitome of what you might expect for a Hawaiian small craft brewery. Only a small sign indicates the brewery is down the alley.

Lanikai Brewing was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Lanikai Brewing focuses on creating craft beer incorporating island-inspired ingredients as well as often using native yeast and bacteria.The back of the brewery overlooks a lush green valley and marsh area. In fact, on some brewing occasions the brewery has opened its back doors to allow wild yeast to inoculate their wort to create delicious wild ales.

When I visited, the brewery only had a tiny tasting room. However, Lanikai Brewing now has a separate, spacious tasting room in Kailua (which I hope to visit one day soon).

Be certain to try the Lanikai Brewing Pillbox Porter – made with two different types of vanilla beans (one from The Big Island and one from Tahiti). The beer’s name is inspired by World War II pillboxes located on Oahu, including Lanikai region. I found this beer to be smooth and rich in malt flavor with a hint of caramel and wonderfully highlighted by the vanilla beans. A mild hop bitterness at the end helped to round off the flavor profile. This is an excellent brew!