Hinano has been brewed on Tahiti since 1955, and its profile of a young woman in a floral pareu is practically the unofficial logo of French Polynesia. The pale lager is sold everywhere — cans, bottles, and draft in Papeete — and it’s the national beer for a reason. This guide covers the full Hinano lineup, what to eat alongside each style, and where to find them across the islands.
Hinano is sold about everywhere, a great beer and the pride of the Nation.
Hinano isn’t trying to be the best beer in the world. It’s a fantastic beer to drink on one of many amazing beaches here in the south Pacific, and that’s the point. The pale lager pours a clear, light yellow with loads of bubble trails, a mild grain aroma, and a crisp, bittersweet finish. It’s refreshing in the tropical heat, but it’s not complex — and that’s exactly what makes it work.
Hinano is a solid, easy-drinking pale lager that pairs beautifully with fresh seafood and grilled vegetables. But don’t expect craft-level depth — the carbonic bite can clash with the sweetness if you’re drinking it alongside fruit-heavy dishes. Stick to the original lager for beach days and save the Ambrée for evening meals.
Understanding the Hinano Family
Three main beers sit under the Hinano name, plus a few outliers worth knowing about.
Beach drinkers
Seafood pairings
Curious tasters
The original Hinano Pale Lager (5% ABV) is the one you’ll see on every beach bar menu and supermarket shelf. It’s light-bodied, with a mild malt character and subtle hop bitterness complemented by a hint of fruity esters. The aroma is grain-forward with a little skunkiness typical of green bottles. It’s not going to win any international awards — it scores 7/10 on taste in most reviews — but it’s consistently refreshing.
Hinano Ambrée (5.5% ABV) is a different animal. It pours with a cola-like glow and a thin head, and the flavour is dominated by assertive toasted malt and caramel. There’s some alcohol warmth and a touch of fruit at the tail end. It’s medium-bodied and noticeably richer than the original. Reviews give it 6/10 on taste, but it’s the better choice for heartier food.
Hinano Gold (6% ABV) is the newest addition, introduced in 2014. It pours clear golden with almost no head, and the aroma brings fresh malt, hops, alcohol, and a light metallic note. The flavour is strong and rich with malt and floral notes up front, then grain, honey, and dry grass at the finish. It scores 6/10 on taste and 5/10 overall — the weakest of the three.
The year Hinano was first brewed on Tahiti — it’s been the island’s go-to lager for nearly seven decades.
Beyond the Hinano lineup, you’ll encounter Tabu — another Tahitian pale lager. Some visitors prefer it to Hinano, others say it can’t compare. Try both and decide for yourself. Tabu also produces radlers: Tabu Mojito (5.5% ABV) and Tabu Lemon (5% ABV). These are sweet, minty or citrusy drinks that barely resemble beer — they score 2/10 across the board. They’re often the only option on smaller atolls like Fakarava, so pack your expectations accordingly.
Pairing Hinano with Island Flavours
The right beer with the right dish changes everything. Here’s what works.
Hinano Pale Lager with Poisson Cru
Poisson cru — raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk — is the national dish of French Polynesia. The acidity and richness need a beer that cuts through without overpowering. The original Hinano’s crisp, clean flavour profile and light bitterness do exactly that. The mild malt character and subtle hop bitterness are beautifully complemented by a hint of fruity esters, making it an exceptionally smooth pairing. The carbonation also helps cleanse the palate between bites of marinated tuna or mahi-mahi.
One caveat: the carbonic high points can clash with the sweetness of the coconut milk if the fish has been marinated too long. Order your poisson cru freshly made, and drink the beer cold — not ice-cold, just well-chilled. Most beach bars serve it that way automatically.
At the Bora Bora Lounge Bar, just across the ferry port in Papeete, you can find Bora Bora Lounge Blond Ale (5.8% ABV) — a slightly hazy amber with barley, bread, light caramel, and citrus notes. It’s not sold in Bora Bora itself, so grab a bottle before you head to the island.
Hinano Ambrée with Grilled Mahi-Mahi
Grilled fish with a bit of char needs a beer that can stand up to the smokiness. The Ambrée’s assertive toasted malt flavours and caramel notes match the caramelisation on the fish. The medium body and moderate sweetness handle the richness of a butter or coconut-based sauce without getting lost. I’d skip the Gold here — its metallic tail note doesn’t play well with grilled seafood.
Michael and I ordered this combination at a small snack bar on the south shore of Bora Bora, and the Ambrée’s caramel finish actually brought out the sweetness in the grilled pineapple served on the side. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing you notice when you’re eating outdoors with the lagoon in view.
Hinano Gold with Fried Poisson
Fried fish — often served with rice and a simple salad — is a common lunch option across the islands. The Gold’s higher alcohol content (6% ABV) and stronger malt profile hold up to the oil and salt. The floral and honey notes up front provide a contrast to the savoury crunch, while the dry grass and light metal at the tail end reset your palate. It’s not a refined pairing, but it works for a casual beachside meal.
That said, the Gold is the weakest of the three Hinano beers. If you see it on a menu and the original is also available, go with the original. The Gold is worth trying once for the novelty, but it’s not something I’d seek out.
Practical Planning for Beer Lovers
Where to buy, when to drink, and what to expect on the islands.
| Beer | Style | ABV | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinano Pale Lager | Pale Lager | 5% | Cans, bottles, draft — everywhere |
| Hinano Ambrée | Amber | 5.5% | Bottles and draft in Papeete |
| Hinano Gold | Pale Lager | 6% | Bottles and cans |
| Triple Red Mo’o | Golden Ale | 7% | Small 0.33L bottles only |
| Bora Bora Lounge | Blond Ale | 5.8% | Bottles at Bora Bora Lounge Bar, Papeete |
| Tabu Mojito | Radler | 5.5% | Bottles at beach bars |
| Tabu Lemon | Radler | 5% | Bottles — common on smaller atolls |
Where to Buy
In Tahiti, Hinano is available in most supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. It’s also a popular choice at local events and festivals. Outside French Polynesia, it’s more elusive — some specialty liquor stores and online retailers carry it, but expect to pay a premium due to import costs. If you’re visiting, stock up at a supermarket in Papeete before heading to smaller islands where selection is limited.
Best Time to Drink
Midday heat calls for the original pale lager — it’s light enough to drink without feeling heavy. The Ambrée works better in the late afternoon or evening, when the temperature drops and you’re eating a proper meal. The Gold is fine anytime, but it’s not special enough to plan around. Triple Red Mo’o (7% ABV) is a stronger golden ale with honey, peated malt, and caramelised sugar notes — it scores 7/10 overall and is worth seeking out in small bottles for a change of pace.
On smaller atolls like Fakarava, the only “beer” available for days might be Tabu Lemon or Tabu Mojito — sweet radlers that score 2/10 on taste. If you’re particular about your beer, bring your own from Tahiti.
On the Ground: What to Know
A few practical details that make the difference between a good beer experience and a frustrating one.
Glassware and Serving
Hinano is often served in a chilled glass, but the foam can be aggressive — the pale lager pours with a foaming agent type white head that soon settles to a scummy layer. Let it sit for a minute before drinking. The Ambrée has a thinner head and less lacing, so it’s ready faster. Bottles are common at beach bars, but draft is available in Papeete and tastes noticeably fresher.
Food Pairing Basics
Hinano pairs effortlessly with light dishes like fresh seafood and grilled vegetables. The original lager is your go-to for raw preparations like poisson cru. The Ambrée handles grilled and fried foods. Avoid pairing any Hinano with very sweet desserts — the carbonic bite and residual sugar clash rather than complement. Stick to a simple fruit platter if you’re drinking beer with dessert.
Local Etiquette
Drinking in public is common and accepted, but avoid bringing your own beer to a restaurant that serves it — it’s considered poor form. Tipping isn’t expected in French Polynesia, so the price you see on the menu is what you pay. If you’re invited to a local gathering, bringing a six-pack of Hinano is a thoughtful gesture.
- Buy Hinano in Tahiti before heading to smaller islands — selection drops fast.
- The original pale lager pairs best with poisson cru; the Ambrée works with grilled fish.
- Skip Tabu radlers unless you enjoy sweet, barely-beer drinks.
Bora Bora Beer Questions
Is Hinano the only beer in Bora Bora?
No, but it’s the most common. You’ll also find Tabu pale lager and Tabu radlers at most bars and supermarkets. Some resorts stock imported beers, but expect to pay more.
The Bora Bora Lounge Blond Ale is actually only sold in Papeete, not on Bora Bora itself — a strange quirk of distribution that means you can’t drink it where it’s named after.
Can I bring Hinano back to the US or UK?
Yes, but it’s not easy to find outside French Polynesia. Some specialty liquor stores and online retailers carry it, though import costs push the price up significantly. If you’re visiting, bring a few cans home in your checked luggage — just wrap them well.
The beer is pasteurised, so it travels fine, but the green bottles mean light exposure can skunk the flavour quickly. Drink them within a few months of purchase.
What does Hinano taste like?
Crisp and clean with a mild malt character, subtle hop bitterness, and a hint of fruity esters. It’s light-bodied and easy-drinking — not complex, but refreshing in the heat. The Ambrée is richer, with toasted malt and caramel dominating.
The Gold is stronger and more floral up front, but a metallic tail note holds it back. None of them are going to win craft beer awards, but they’re perfectly suited to their environment.
Is Hinano gluten-free?
No. Hinano is brewed from barley malt and contains gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, look for imported alternatives at larger supermarkets in Papeete — selection is limited but available.
Tabu radlers also contain gluten, so there’s no local beer option for gluten-sensitive travellers. Stick to wine or spirits if that’s a concern.
Why is Hinano so popular in French Polynesia?
It’s been brewed locally since 1955, so it’s deeply tied to Tahitian identity. The iconic logo — a profile of a young Tahitian woman in a floral pareu — is on everything from beer cozies to souvenir T-shirts. It’s affordable, widely available, and tastes good in the tropical climate.
There’s also a practical reason: imported beer is expensive due to shipping costs, so Hinano dominates by default. It’s the national beer because it’s the beer everyone can actually buy.
Hinano isn’t trying to be the best beer in the world — it’s trying to be the best beer for where it’s drunk, and it succeeds at that. The pale lager is a reliable companion for beach days and seafood meals, the Ambrée adds depth for evening eating, and the Gold is a curiosity worth trying once. If you’re heading to the islands, pairing Hinano with local dishes is one of the simplest ways to eat and drink like someone who lives there.
Sources and further reading
French Polynesia Beer Guide. Unusual Traveler.
Exploring the Charm of Hinano Beer from Tahiti. Beer Insiders.
What to Drink in Tahiti. TripSavvy.
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