New book documents Hawaii craft brewing movement

Home of luaus and surfing, the islands of Hawaii have been riding a wave of beer making in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Author Paul Kan takes readers on an island hopping journey through Hawaii’s brewing past in a forthcoming new book, “A History of Brewing in Paradise,” published by Arcadia Publishing.

The last state in the union has not been last in creating amazing beers full of the Aloha Spirit. Like the people who settled all over Polynesia, Hawaii’s beer brewers have been dreamers, adventurers and pioneers, Kan notes. From Captain James Cook’s emergency beer that nearly inspired a mutiny in 1778 to today’s explosion of celebrated craft breweries, the unique geography and culture make the islands a true beer lover’s paradise.

Kan grew up in Hawaii learning its unique tradition, culture and history, and now splits his time between Hawaii and Pennsylvania, where he owns Burd’s Nest Brewing Company.

With a local Hawaii background and the eye of a craft brewer, he has been dedicated follower of the robust craft brewing movement in his home state. When he’s not drinking beer, he’s a professor of national security studies at the U.S. Army War College.

“A History of Brewing in Paradise,” a 160-page paperback book, will be available on Monday, April 5, 2021.

As the nation’s leading publisher of books of local history and local interest, Arcadia’s mission is to connect people with their past, with their communities and with one another. Arcadia has an extraordinary catalog of more than 15,000 local titles and publishes 500 new books of local interest and local history each year.