Kona Brewing Company- Wailua Wheat: Brok’ Da Mout!

So I’m heading down to the basement to take a gander at the Craft Beer pile and noticed that approximately 85-90% of the beers were IPAs or Pale Ales.  I am doing my best to stick to my commitment to Pam and stay away from the IPAs and Pale Ales but it’s getting harder and harder.  Then my eyes crossed a brew that I know Master Steve didn’t much care for and I thought, “I wonder what he didn’t like about it?”  I grabbed me a Kona Brewing Company’s Wailua Wheat and decided to see what all the fuss was about.  Hopefully this brew will have me riding a Craft Beer wave of happiness, let’s find out.

Kona Brewing Company classifies this brew as a Wheat Ale and their website describes Wailua Wheat as, “Swimming in a fresh water pool at the base of a cascading waterfall is what we all imagine we would find in paradise.  On Maui, follow the old Hana Highway and you will find such a place – Wailua Falls. This plunging cascade of clear water is the inspiration for our Limited Release Wailua Wheat Ale. This golden, sun colored ale has a bright, citrusy flavor that comes from the tropical passion fruit we brew into each batch. Sit back, relax and enjoy paradise anytime.”

Wailua Wheat pours a straw/yellow color with a big 1 ¼” surf foam white head.  The aroma is a mixture of sour fruit, citrus and some subtle wheat scents.

I’m not really sure what Steve was talking about, this is a very unique and tasty brew.  That being said, it is very different from any wheat beer I’ve ever had but I think that’s what I like about it.  Wailua Wheat has a sour bite to it from the passion fruit that is quite enjoyable.  There is also a citrus touch in there with a solid wheat base to boot.  This is a good brew and I’m glad that I have a couple other Kona selections in the pile downstairs.  The sad thing is that Kona is not available in the Midwest, so for all you Midwesterners, you may need to have an out-of-state friend UPS you some.  Aloha!!

ABV: 5.4%

Consumed: Dogfish Head Signature Glass

Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack

Kona Brewing Company- Wailua Wheat: Even super powers couldn't save me!

Have you ever reached into the cupboard, pulled out a dish, and had it slip from your hands.  Just before it drops from your grip your Spider –Sense starts tingling, but because you’re not actually a superhero your reaction time isn’t adequate enough to keep the dish from breaking into elevendy scrillion pieces. When I put this beer to my lips I had that same feeling, my Spider-Sense was on high alert, but alas I took the sip and was less than happy.

In front of me was a Limited Release bottle of Wailua Wheat from Kona Brewing Company.  The beer poured into my glass with a thick white head that I could hear crackle as it quickly dissipated to nothing.  Wailua is highly carbonated which wafts up a disturbing green apple (or I guess passion fruit) aroma.  The color is pale-golden and resembles apple juice more than beer.  The mouthfeel is very thin and the flavor reminds me of cheap sparkling wine.  I can hardly detect malt or hop flavor, just an ever-so-slight hop bitterness to balance the minimal sweetness.

There aren’t many beers from craft breweries with beer that would cause me to turn up my nose and walk away, but I just think that Wailua Wheat had promise but didn’t deliver.  I have never had beer from Kona before and it is sad to say that I will be leery when I get another one.  I guess as a guy that reviews beer, a Spider-Sense is a pretty cool super power to have.  I just wish that I could have listened to it before it was too late.

ABV: 5.4%

Consumed: Mother Earth Globe Glass

Verdict: Skip It