The island of Kaua’i is known for its beautiful, untouched scenery. Mountains, canyons, and waterfalls provide dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views of an island that is truly paradise. Featured in films from Jurassic Park to South Pacific, the beauty of Kaua’i captivates tourists and moviegoers alike.
But the island has much more than beauty to offer. Yeah, it has craft beer.
Located on the south side of the island in Port Allen is Kaua’i Island Brewery and Grill. They boast to be the world’s most westernmost brewery, and they serve some pretty epic beers and good eats! Some of their beers include Wai’ale’ale Ale (named after one of the wettest places on earth—and did you count how many “ales” are in the name?), Na Pali Pale Ale (named after a state park which can be enjoyed by boat, helicopter, or kayak—but we prefer hiking), and Pakala Porter (named after a surf spot with a left-hand break).
Flying into Kaua’i
The brewery is run by Bret Larson and Dave Curry, the brewmaster. Dave dreamed of owning a brewery in his early twenties, but after working in the industry for a few years, he realized the amount of work necessary to own a business—and it was a lot. He witnessed breweries fail, saw the stress that came with the territory, then decided it would be easier working for someone else instead. So he set out and did just that. It wasn’t until a few years ago that he changed his mind when the opportunity presented itself for him and Bret to start Kaua’i Island Brewery and Grill. It’s been growing ever since, and they’ve bought more brewing equipment, introduced new beers, and established themselves as one of the best places to get beer in Hawai’i.
We sat down with Dave and asked him a few questions to get to know more about him and his brewery.
How did you get into brewing beer?
When I was 19 years old, I bought myself a home brew kit for Christmas. I didn’t drink a lot at that age, but I was intrigued with the idea that you could make your own beer or alcohol at home. My mom hated the smell of the kitchen when I’d brew, but I obviously have always loved the smell.
Fermenting tanks used to create ono local beers
Where do you get your beer ideas from?
I grew up in California and spent a few years in Chico. There has always been a good beer scene in that area. I’ve always liked West Coast style IPA’s, so a lot of my beers tend to be a little hoppier. When I first started brewing, I liked wheat beers and some lighter style beers, so I’d brew with honey, orange peels, or fruit extracts, but I’ve pretty much grown out of that phase. At the pub, we do have a lilikoi ale for people who like something lighter and a little bit sweet, but that’s the only fruity beer we do. I like the idea of trying to use local products, so we’ve brewed with taro before, and that beer was real popular. We’ll be putting it back in line up soon, but mostly, I like hops. We have 3 IPA’s on tap that we brew here, so we’re playing around with a lot of different combinations of hops.
Your partnership with Bret happened when you were at Waimea Brewing Company, what was the motivation for you two to start your own place?
I’ve always enjoyed being part of the brewing industry. I had been the head brewer at Waimea Brewing Co. for about 8 years, and their lease at the Waimea Plantation Cottages was coming to an end. The business had its ups and downs, but towards the end I took over the General Manager position, and the business was starting to do good. Bret’s partners didn’t have the desire to move the business at the end of the lease, and Bret and I figured with a fresh start we could make a good future. We both liked the idea of brewing on Kaua’i, so he and I acquired Waimea Brewing Company’s equipment and made the move to Port Allen.
Patrons enjoy the beer and grubs inside the restaurant
You have friends who own tour boats and supply you with fish–what’s the best fish/beer combo?
That’s definitely one of the perks of being in Hawai’i and running a brewery. Fish goes great with beer! My favorite is Yellow Fin (ahi) tuna. You can’t beat fresh sashimi, or seasoned and lightly seared ahi. The poke you can get out here, the poke we have at the pub, is incredible and goes great with a nice Pale Ale or our Captain Cooks IPA. I’ve had the poke/IPA combo quite a few times–more times than I can count.
Before coming to Hawai’i, I never would have thought I’d like raw fish. But a couple friends took me out on their boat and we caught a couple ahi tunas that weighed more than I did…at the time. Their family used to own a fish market on island, so fishing was in their blood, and they knew exactly how to serve it up. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Do you have a favorite beer?
Really, my favorite beer is our Captain Cook’s IPA. I’ve been brewing that recipe for a long time, and have it just how I like it. Otherwise, I’ve always liked Stone IPA…Racer 5. We don’t see them too often out here but I’ve really been enjoying Rum or Bourbon Barrel aged Stouts or Porters. Firestone Walker did a Barrel Aged beer I really liked. Out here, if I’m not drinking my own, my go-to is Sierra Pale Ale.
Can we expect anything new on tap?
About a year ago, we bought a few more fermenters and serving tanks, so with more storage space our line-up has grown a bit. We’ve started doing a light lager. We brewed a Belgian Wheat the other day, and recently brewed our second batch of our Rye IPA. We’ve been keeping an oatmeal stout in the line-up, and it’s been popular with dark beer fans. I’m planning on bringing back our Taro beer in the next month or so.
Dave teaching his daughter some of the processes in making beer
What’s the best part of living on Kaua’i?
The air is clean. The beaches are beautiful. I enjoy the slower pace of island life. We don’t have big city traffic. People tend to be less stressed out here. Life is more laid back than most other places I’ve been.
Sunset at Kalalau, Na Pali Coast
What does the perfect day look like?
Once in a while my wife, daughter, and I like to rent a condo on the north shore and spend the weekend up there, so waking up on the other side of the island, taking our time and heading out for a good breakfast then relaxing on any of the beaches up there is a great start to the day. My daughter is five and loves swimming, so it’s fun to throw her around in the water, and build a big sand fortress on the beach for her to play with. We sometimes stay at Hanalei Bay Resort, which has a nice pool, so lounging poolside for the remainder of the afternoon and finishing the day with a sunset BBQ would be the end to a great day. Add a few IPA’s throughout the day, and I’d call it a winner!
If you could keep only three possessions, what would it be?
Realistically, I need transportation to get around so I’d keep my truck. I have a few pretty cool Pinball Machines, so I’d have to pick one of them….either Theater of Magic, or Indiana Jones. Lastly, it sounds silly, but I have a ‘Corkcicle‘ brand 25 oz. cup. It’s a thermos, vacuum sealed, stainless. I try to drink as much water as I do beer, and this cup keeps ice water cold all day long. I take it everywhere with me. I’ll take it to bed, and by the time I get up, I’ve drank all the water, but my cup still has ice in it. I love my ice water.
We’re a coffee and beer website, are there any coffee shops we might run into you at?
I like to have a cup in the morning at home. Keurig makes that easy. I can’t remember the last time I went to a coffee shop though.
Lastly, who is Dave Curry?
Lately, more so, I’ve enjoyed being a dad. I was always hesitant or skeptical to be a dad, but it’s the best thing I ever did. It’s been so much fun seeing a mini-me, although she’s a girl, of course. She’s at such a fun age, starting to grow, starting to read, it’s pretty cool. Not a whole lot more than that, everyone does their thing. There’s the business side of me, and the brewer side of me, but really, my daughter is the best thing to happen to me.
Maybe ten years ago, I had a neighbor, he was kind of older, and he and his wife adopted a little girl. I remember he was riding his bike home one day, and as soon as his little girl saw him, she yelled, “Daddy! Daddy’s home!” And I told him, “Johnny, that must be the coolest thing!” because I knew he always wanted to have a kid. Now I get home, and my daughter will come out and meet me yelling, “Daddy’s home!”
Kaua’i Island Brewery and Grill // 4350 Waialo Road, Port Allen, HI 96705 // (808) 335 – 0006
Here’s a video of Dave:
