Big Island Brewhaus Expanding its Distribution

Big Island Brewhaus is expanding across the island and the state.

The Waimea-based brewery, located on Mamalahoa Highway, has recently started bottling its beer and self-distributing throughout Hawaii.

Currently, the brewery operates a 10-barrel brewhaus. Its beers were previously available only in keg barrels or on tap at the brewpub or at select bars on island.

“This is the first time Big Island Brewhaus has bottled beer,” said Ralph Louis, restaurant manager/executive chef.

“Now that bottling is up and running, we can distribute a fresh product statewide,” added Louis, who noted that the beers feature locally sourced ingredients.

“Everything is local,” said Lewis. “It’s locally brewed, bottled and distributed.”

At any given time, Big Island Brewhaus offers upwards of 15 beers at the brewpub, including ales, lagers and Belgian-style beers.

Louis said they currently have nine varieties of beer on tap at the Brewhaus and plan to have an additional six beers on tap in the next week.

Big Island Brewhaus bottling line. Photo credit Big Island Brewhaus.

According to Tom Kerns, owner and head brewer of Big Island Brewhaus, the brewery is bottling three beers year-round: White Mountain Porter, Overboard IPA, and Golden Sabbath, with other seasonal and special releases throughout the year.

A micro-brewer for more than 20 years, Kerns managed the award-winning Maui Brewing Company for several years before he and his wife, Jayne, bought Tako Taco Tacqueria in 2008.

In 2011, they added the brewery to the well-known Mexican restaurant and changed the name to Big Island Brewhaus.

Within six months of launching the brewery, Big Island Brewhaus beers were winning national awards. Overboard IPA won a gold medal at the US Open Beer Championships, with its White Mountain Porter and Red Giant taking silver medals in the same event.

Kerns is currently on Maui preparing for this weekend’s fifth annual Maui Brewers Festival at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.