Tag: Hawaii

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Spirit Review – 12th Hawaii Distillers Reserve

This is a unique spin on whiskey from the Island state of Hawaii (courtesy of Richard Rosen), it is Distillers Reserve from 12th Hawaii Distillers on Kona.

It is a “spirit is distilled four times using pure Hawaiian honey before it rests in a charred oak barrel with Hawaiian Kiawe wood.”

It is crazy but there is certainly a smooth mouthfeel and Macadamia nut taste to this. There is a burn as well more in the nose than the taste and a nice full amount of sweetness here too. This is much more a near drink then others that are purely cocktail bound.

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Review – Castaway IPA from Kona Brewing

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I get the occasional media sample of beers. Most don’t come stuffed inside a volleyball however. But Kona Brewing has always been creative with their packages.

You may have to reach back in your data bank but Castaway (the movie) featured Tom Hanks and a volleyball named Wilson. Castaway (the IPA) features Galaxy, Citra, Simcoe and Milenium hops.

It pours a bright orange. Very tropical on the nose. Pineapple and mango mainly. The taste is light with a hint of wheat. There is still a nice bit of bitterness amidst the fruit punch notes. There is a good amount of bubbles and a minor hint of spice as well.

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This beer was free but I would gladly pay for it on tap. It is fruity and fun and delivers the Citra which I love without being muddled by competing hops.

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Review – Castaway IPA from Kona Brewing

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It’s not everyday that you get a hollowed out volleyball with two beers in it. But Kona Brewing has always been a bit creative with their beers.

And for some reason, they don’t get much craft love because they are part of a bigger umbrella brewing concern but they make solid beers that need to be appreciated on their own merits.

Castaway IPA pours a light orange color with a a bit of a foamy head that evaporates quickly. The aroma is fairly light as well. Some citrus with hints of bitterness to come.

The taste is pretty light on the IPA scale. I would call this more XPA or if current vogue is standard then Session IPA. Heavy on the grain taste. Which I like. Some faint citrus notes and a medium hit of hops to round it out. Not thin by any means, but lighter in body for sure.

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This certainly is more Hawaiian to me even though I have never been. It just has a tropical, sun up in the sky sort of flavor. I wish it had more Citra or something to name it fruitier, hop wise but this is another straightforward and tasty beer.

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Pau Hana with Kona

Here are some photos from the release party of the new Kona Brewing beer, Koko brown named after (and seen in the label) a distinctive part of Hawaii.

You know you are in the right place when you see this van.

A new beer in the Aloha series

Hawaiian for relax

Coconut!

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Beer in Hawaii

The Hawaii Beer Book: Bars, Breweries & Beer Cuisine.” Inside, author Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi takes readers to local breweries like Brew Moon, Big Aloha, Mehana, and more.

As if you need a reason to visit the lovely, sun-blessed islands.