Kona Brewing Co. Beer

Kona Brewing Co. was founded in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1994. Known for its island-inspired flavors and relaxed branding, it has become one of the most recognizable craft-style beer brands globally. While the original brewery continues to operate in Hawaii for local distribution and draft service, the majority of the bottled and canned beer sold on the U.S. mainland and internationally is produced at partner breweries in states such as Oregon, Washington, New Hampshire, and Colorado to ensure freshness and reduce environmental impact.

In terms of ownership, the brand underwent a significant transition recently. It was previously part of the Craft Brew Alliance (CBA). When Anheuser-Busch InBev acquired the CBA in 2020, the Hawaii-based operations of Kona Brewing Co. were sold to PV386 (a subsidiary of Vibe Map LLC) to satisfy antitrust concerns, while the rights to the brand in the mainland U.S. and internationally were retained by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Today, the brand's global presence and mainland production are managed by the world's largest brewing conglomerate, headquartered in Belgium.