Mehana Brewing Co. -- Mauna Kea Pale Ale

Mehana Brewing Co.'s Mauna Kea Pale Ale is brewed on the Big Island of Hawaii in the wonderful town of Hilo.

Review:
This beer pours gold and lifts a 3/4 inch head. Lacing remains on the top 1/3 of the glass while drinking. The aroma is comprised of crystal malts and a touch of citrus hops along with a slight hint of fresh cut hedges. The taste is a back-and-forth battle between sweet and bitter. Sweet leads the battle early but the bitter punches out a late victory in the match. The hops taste slightly earthy and remind me of a lot of organic hops I've tasted.

(Side Note: If you go to the brewery you can have a couple small samples for free, or can try them all for a few bucks. This investment is well worth it because the beer tastes twice as fresh as the bottle.)

Overall Impression:
This is a good, solid pale ale.
I've had some issues with this brewery in the past... twice. 
However, it looks like they've finally got their groove back and are making good beer.

Grade: A-

(bottle purchased at Whole Foods.)

Mehana Brewing Co. - Hawaii Lager

Mehana Brewing Co.'s Hawaii Lager is an lager brewed in the wonderful town of Hilo.

 It is 4.8% ABV and is available year-round.

Review:
First of all, what is going on with the bottling line at Hawaii Nui? This was a cold beer from the fridge that hadn't been shaken. That's a LOT OF FOAM! You guys over in Hilo need to get that thing dialed in! But let's move on...
According to Ratebeer, "This Hawaiian-style European lager is most often described as being very smooth with lots of body and some bitterness. It is an all-malt brew with the tropical taste in mind. This lager has a deep copper color with a malty aroma and subtle fruitiness creating a caramel maltiness on the palate with a sweet malt aftertaste."
You'll notice that there is no mention of aroma in this description. Indeed, because of the low aroma level, I was unable to really describe it. The flavor seemed to be slightly sweet but that sweetness was countered very well by the grassy lemony hop. Unfortunately, neither aspect was very exciting and the body was-- in direct contradiction with the above description-- very, very light.It was so light that it had an almost metallic finish reminiscent of certain light American lagers.

(Side Note: This beer may be in the style of the Vienna lager.)

Overall Impression:
-If you like Budweiser, or maybe Tecate, try this beer.
-Mehana's (still!) gotta tone down their carbonation levels. 

Grade:  C-

(This bottle was purchased at Kokua Market)

Mehana Brewing Co. - Humpback Blue

Mehana Brewing Co.'s Humpback Blue is a Kolsch style ale that is supposedly brewed with a Belgian style yeast.

 5.0% ABV(or 4.4%...it's unclear) and available year-round

Review:
OK, I really don't mind people bucking the system of beer categories. Brewing a Kolsch with a Belgian beer is gutsy. A Kolsch beer is known to have clean and light characteristics. Belgian Beers are known for their yeast characteristics. Put them together you should get a beer that is light and Belgian dominated. So lets go!
This beer pours with a level of effervescence that is rather extreme, with bubbles that are associated with forced carbonation. It is a straw/light golden color.  The head is long lasting and rocky / billowy. The aroma is undoubtedly Belgian, with a hint of bubblegum. The carbonation bites the tongue in the front and sides. The beer has such a light body that it is almost nonexistent. It feels like a lager... Flavor-wise this beer has a light sweet-and-sour aspect that disappears after you swallow. The Belgian "twang" lingers for a long time. This is a light, refreshing ale. If Belgium made Bud Light it would be "Belgian Bud Light." This might be the first BBL.

(Side Note: Mehana Brewing Co. is owned by Hawaii Nui Brewing.)

Overall Impression:
-This is a light, belgian style ale. Forget about the Kolsch style. That's completely overridden by the Belgian yeast.
-Mehana's gotta tune their carbonation down. 
-It is too light and tangy to be highly graded, but it's not half bad either. If you like Belgian beers, you gotta try this!

Grade: B

(bottle purchased at Whole Foods Kahala Mall)