Kona Brewing Wailua Wheat
Named for Maui’s Wailua Falls, this seasonal release from Kona Brewing may not quite mentally transport me to the tropics of Hawaii, but the incorporation of passion fruit puree into the brew certainly helps push me in the right direction. The fruit’s addition gives the beer a little something extra that helps separate it from the crowd of wheat ales that are in the market today.
Refreshing in nature with a welcome hint of hop bite, Wailua Wheat is crisp on the tongue and a beer that I can see being more than appropriate for just about any Summer outdoor activity.
Appearance
Most of the wheat ales I’ve had so far this year have been unfiltered, leaving a slight have to the beer. Wailua Wheat pours as crystal clear as you can get with a large white cap that fell slowly to patchy surface coverage.
Aroma
Delicate wheat, a moderate level of the passion fruit puree, grain, lightly toasted bread and grassy hops combine for a clean aroma.
Taste
The passion fruit comes in nicely with the moderate wheat as a light, bready malt character forms the base. The fruit is at just the right level as a welcome hop bite comes in smoothly and lingers a bit in the crisp finish. This is a\ refreshing beer that, at 5.4% ABV, goes down easy.
Overall
Wailua Wheat is a unique brew with a pretty darn good flavor. This one surprised me, not so much because it was an outstanding beer, but that I didn’t hate it. I’m not usually a fan of having more than one wheat-based brew at a time (the aftertaste usually drives me crazy), but I ended up enjoying a Wailua Wheats in one sitting. If you’re a fan of wheat ales and are looking for something a little different, Kona Brewing may have what you need.
Rating:3.75/5
This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.
