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The year 2014 was an exceptional one for beer in Hawaii. We saw dozens of top-quality breweries distribute to the isles, adding more than 100 new beer choices to the shelves. Local beer thrived as well with the opening of Honolulu Beerworks, the expansion of Maui Brewing Co. in Kihei and the reopening of Hawaii Nui and Mehana Brewing in Hilo.
So what can we expect in 2015? Here are a few trends that we’ll see gain momentum in the craft beer world.
The Pilsner is back!
It’s a bit of an oxymoron to claim that the most popular beer style in the world will make a comeback, but not if we’re speaking about it in terms of craft beer.
Light Pilsners have long dominated the mass market, but until now it’s been hard to find those made by smaller craft breweries. Many that have built their brands on bold, hop-driven ales are now beginning to focus on this lighter, thirst-quenching and easy-drinking style.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., known for its bold Pale Ale and India pale ales, or IPAs, recently released Nooner Pilsner to Hawaii in six-packs. Don’t be fooled by the brilliantly clear, light-golden color. Nooner Pilsner is as full of flavor as it is thirst-quenching. Bright aromas of lemongrass and warm biscuit are followed by a crisp and dry finish, with lingering notes of floral and spicy hoppiness.
The hop bitterness is well subdued and is perfectly balanced by a touch of bready sweetness. This is a beer perfect for Hawaii’s year-round warm weather. Find a six-pack at Tamura’s Fine Wines for $8.99.
Approachable Tart
Sour beers are a growing passion in many geek circles, though the mouth-puckering acidity and tart flavors are challenging for many to learn to enjoy. A long aging process and typically small-batch sizes account for higher prices in this style of beer, and it’s difficult to splurge $15 or more on a bottle you might not like.
Thus, gateway sours such as Breakside Brewing’s La Tormenta will become more prevalent this year. These beers are slightly tart and are often combined with either hops or fruit to make them more approachable.
La Tormenta is bursting with tropical fruit aromas and flavors, thanks to a heavy dose of dry hops. Its tartness is similar to fresh pineapple and grapefruit juice, making for a beer both refreshing and full of flavor. At only $8.99 for a 22-ounce bottle at the Liquor Collection, it won’t break your wallet to try it.
IPAs still reign
Big, bold and hop-driven India pale ales have come to define the craft beer movement in the U.S. They are by far the most popular style, and we can expect to see even more new examples from breweries in 2015.
With so many IPAs on the market, breweries are now experimenting with new versions utilizing a range of special ingredients, from fruit to hot chili peppers.
One not to be missed is Maui Brewing Co.’s Lorenzini Double IPA. This is the first specialty release from their brand-new Kihei brewery, where it’s brewed with blood oranges and tangerines.
So it’s no surprise that bold citrus aromas and flavors are the star of this offering; the blood oranges provide a brilliant deep-red hue as well.
A bold hop bitterness is rounded out nicely with the citrus juice, and it’s all supported by a strong malt backbone. Enjoy the four-pack cans for $8.99 from Whole Foods in Kailua and Kahala.
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