7 West Coast Beers (and 3 Non-Beer Beverages) That Will Transport You To Hawaii
Many of us have put tropical getaways on hold during this quarantine, ourselves included. We had planned to be on the Big Island of Hawaii this past week, so we have been trying to incorporate as many Hawaii things into our lives to bring some comforts of the island home. While we did not make any mai tais, we did enjoy some of our favorite tropical bubbly beverages. Here are 7 tropical beers and 3 non-beer (including a non-alcoholic option) that can transport you to the islands with their fun flavors and ingredients!
Avery Brewing Liliko'i Kepolo Belgian-Style Wheat Ale
I stumbled upon this beer and am now always on the lookout for it in stores or restaurants. The Liliko’i Kepolo is 5.4% ABV and full of passion fruit, which gives it “juiciness and electric tingle”. I love everything passion fruit because it is such a unique and distinctive flavor. Each barrel is made with over four pounds of passion fruit puree!
Kona Brewing Company - Island Colada Cream Ale
Kona Brew has been one of my favorite breweries since I lived in Kona after college graduation. I love all of their classic beers, but their seasonals and limited releases are so, so fun. Koko Brown and Wailua Wheat are harder to find, but some of my other KBC favorites! When I saw they released the Island Colada Cream Ale, I used their beer finder and realized the closest place we could buy it was a solid hour away. Luckily, our really good friend and beer connoisseur lives in that neighborhood and was down to go on a beer venture to gift us some during quarantine! This beer definitely transports you as it is full of real coconut and pineapple. It also recently won the 2020 Bronze Award in the Field Beer Category, Best of Craft Beer Awards.
KBC also recently dove into the world of hard seltzer and released some flavors such as strawberry-guava, starfruit-lime and tropical fruit punch. These are not found anywhere near us (yet!), but I look forward to finding them (or paying my friends in LA to get some for me. Any near you? Check here.
Humble Sea - Tiki Decor: F.O.G. - Milkshake DIPA
This one is currently sold out, but worth the wait until it is back! Tiki Decor F.O.G. - Milkshake DIPA is 8% ABV with orange, guava, vanilla and lactose flavors. We made a special 1.5 hour round trip drive to Santa Cruz, CA to pick it up (before the shelter in place got really strict) and that crowler did not last long at all. Humble Sea is our favorite brewery in Santa Cruz and they are currently shipping all over California. Their branding is so fun and you will love the names of their beers (Hop Blood Prince - Foggy IPA, Snoop Fogg - Foggy IPA, Fog Days Are Over West Coast IPA, Great White Claw - Hard Seltzer, and Kookumber Gose - Cucumber Gose)
Maui Brew - Pineapple Mana Wheat & Coconut Hiwa Porter
I could not pick one Maui Brew beer because these are both so different and delicious, so we normally end up buying both of them together. They both serve their purpose and suit whatever you are in the mood for.
Pineapple Mana is 5.5% ABV with an IBU of 18. It is full of flavor from Maui Gold pineapples giving it a sweet aroma and smooth Coconut Porter is 6% ABV and is a classic porter with a malty-toasted coconut aroma with flavors of dark malt, chocolate and hints of coffee. See where you can find these two Maui brews near you!
Stone Brewing - Notorious P.O.G Berliner Weiss
Typically, the first purchase my husband makes when we are in Hawaii is a gallon of P.O.G. (Passion Orange Guava Juice) and it turns into his own personal gallon challenge. He finishes that thing in record time. So of course, if there is a beer with POG in it, you better believe, we are buying it. This Berliner Weiss is loaded with those tropical fruits and results in a flavor that is tart, unique, refreshing and complex or as they describe it”tart, tropical & damn tasty”. It is available nationwide and a 4.7% ABV with 7 IBU.
I have been seeing this Hazy IPA in more and more spots and it is easy to know why! It is full of tropical citrus and fruit and has a 7% alc/vol. Also, one of our traditions when in Hawaii is trying to see the green flash! The green flash is an optical phenomenon/illusion that you can see after sunset or sunrise when the sun is almost completely below the horizon. Have you seen the green flash before? Whether you have or not, you can find the Green Flash Tropical DNA near you!
Not a fan of beer? Here are some other Beverages to Consider for a Tropical Getaway:
2 Towns Cider House - Unfiltered Pacific Pineapple Cider
This cider is delicious all year round. It is made with Costa Rican Pineapples and Northwest apples making it super refreshing, sweet, and very easy to drink. You will have a hard time only having one!
Nova Easy Kombucha - Mango & Ginger
This has been my recent go-to as the weather is getting warmer and summer is finally in sight. It is a great light option for your Zoom Happy Hours or just needing a healthier buzz. I love this gluten free option and the flavor combination of sweet, ripe mango and fresh ginger. Naturally fermented to 6% alc/vol and so delicious! They are doing their orders online if you can’t find Nova in the stores. I found them at New Leaf in Half Moon Bay, CA!
Good & Gather - Coconut Pineapple Sparkling Water
My pregnant friend got me hooked on this brand of sparkling water found at Target. Her fridge was stocked with so many fun flavors and, again, I could not resist their packaging. This flavor is delicious and the coconut is not too overpowering! You can find it in cans or in 1L bottles and be sure to check out their other flavors!
Any other favorite tropical beers you love? Comment below!