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)

Kona Brewing Co. Hawaii Kai

Kona Brewing Company, Hawaii Kai

Lets start by getting the record straight: this location is not the brewery, nor do they brew on the premises. As such, I will review this as a pub, not a brew pub, and not a brewery.

Now then, I had a hard time finding this place, it is hidden behind a shopping center. It was the middle of the week, in the middle of the afternoon, in the middle of a downpour of rain. This being the case, I was the only person at the bar. (Though I’m sure this place gets hopping when Led is at the guitar every Sunday.) The service was great and the kind-hearted bartender answered all of my questions. I learned a lot about the beers of Kona, and a little about the brewery.

If you are a beer lover, keep these things in mind:

1.) You must ask your waiter what brews are on tap. The 7 or so listed in the menu are only about half of what they have on tap. There are 24 tap handles with at least 16 beers (2 on nitro).  DO NOT believe the menu!!! 

2.) There is a beer of the week (or was it month…?) which is only $3.

3.) Budweiser is a part owner of this company through the Craft Brewer’s Alliance.

Highlights: Ginger beer, Sun Charged Golden Ale, Dry Side Stout on Nitro

Selection: B

Location: C

Price: B-

Friendliness: A

beer knowledge: B-

Overall Grade: B