Kona Brewing Co. - beer with a view

March 31, 12:16 AMHonolulu Restaurant ExaminerNina Maxwell

There's nothing like an icy, cold beer while watching boats drift by
beneath a starlit sky.

The ideal place to enjoy both is at Kona Brewing Co. in Hawaii Kai (20 minutes east of Waikiki), which is more of a destination for the beer and ambiance than it is for the menu.

But what's on the menu is still adequate to satiate anyone's appetite — a full selection of pupus (appetizers) ranging from Niu Valley Nachos to Pele's Fire Wings, Kuliouou Crab Cakes and the Ahi Aloha Tower (three styles of ahi tartar with spicy tobiko, wasabi honey and sesame oil layered with won ton chips).

Fresh, ahi poke that tastes like the sea, with a chilled, handcrafted lager makes the perfect combination.

There's also a selection of salads, sandwiches, full entrees (such as macadamia nut crusted fresh fish, beer-braised BBQ ribs or New York Pepper steak) and several kinds of pizzas.

The pizzas are hand-tossed, and topped with whole milk mozzarella, parmesan, oregano and basil. You can select from the menu, or choose your own toppings. (10-inch pizzza costs $15 to $17, 14-inch $23 to $25). These are a bit pricey, but then so is the cost of doing business in Hawaii (as business owners here like to say).

Pizza is also ideal as you quaff down a selection of locally brewed beers (yes, Kona Brewing actually brews its own beer on-site) – with names like Big Wave Golden Ale, Longboard Island Lager, and Fire Rock Pale Ale. You probably will recognize the Longboard brand, given that it's sold across the U.S. These are award-winning beers. Wailua Wheat is a light and fruity choice – brewed with tropical passionfruit and plenty of wheat hops. If you prefer full-bodied and rich, go for the Pipeline Porter, which is brewed with Kona coffee.

They're available by the glass ($4), the pint ($5) or as a sampler offering four glasses ($8).

You can take a seat at the bar, a table indoors, or on the deck for a view of the marina.

In the evenings, the outdoor deck is a pleasant spot to enjoy the tradewinds – and you might see a duck or two quacking away in the water next to the docked boats.

This is an ideal place to go for a casual date, hang out with a group of friends, or to bring family, with kids. for lunch. A band plays live contemporary Hawaiian music on most weekend evenings.

Besides the pub at Koko Marina Center (7192 Kalanianaole Hwy, which is on the way to Hanauma Bay), there's an Original Kona Brewery & Pub in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island (the first one to open in November 1998), but that one is not on a marina. Takeout and beer-to-go available. Credit cards accepted.

The Original Kona Brewery & Pub
75-5629 Kuakini Hwy.
808-334-BREW
Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Koko Marina Pub
Koko Marina Center, 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy.
808-394-KONA
Open Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For more info: Go to www.konabrewingco.com.