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Oahu’s brewing scene is growing rapidly as new breweries and brewpubs set their sites on thirsty residents and visitors seeking locally produced craft beer. I’ll be featuring all of our new breweries over the next couple of months.
Lanikai Brewing Co. is one of the latest to open. Located in the heart of Kailua, the small craft brewery was started by home brewers and beer enthusiasts Al Darling, Brandon Cody, Dan Frerich and Steve Haumschild.
The four aimed to produce island-inspired craft beers that remind customers of the scents, flavors and lifestyle of island living. Each beer uses ingredients unique to Hawaii and the Pacific region.
Lanikai recently released two beers, 808 Imperial IPA and Pillbox Porter, both in 22-ounce bottles featuring vibrant artwork by Kailua resident Colin Redican, who showcased Lanikai Beach and Pillbox Lookout.
The 808 Imperial incorporates dried pikake flowers in the brewing process to capture Hawaii’s tropical scent. Achieving the proper balance between the pikake scent and pungent, citrusy hops required many test batches.
Unlike most Imperial India pale ales, this taste profile wasn’t intended to be overly hop-forward, since that would overpower the pikake aroma. Instead, they focused on providing a solid bitterness from hops and use a blend of hops and pikake for the aroma.
Pillbox Porter includes two types of pure vanilla extract, one grown in Hawaii and the other in Tahiti. Initially, the brewers wanted to use exclusively Hawaiian vanilla, but that recipe proved to be too pungent and spicy; a blend with Tahitian vanilla offers smoothness and floral and black cherry notes.
The vanilla blend is added to the brewing process for the porter, which is dark but not overly thick. Vanilla dominates the aroma, with hints of dark chocolate, toffee and dark-roasted coffee in the background.
For now, purchase bottles of Lanikai Brewing for about $12.50 at Tamura’s Waialae, Aiea and Kailua; The Liquor Collection; Whole Foods; Lanikai General Store; and Kalapawai Market. They are served at Brewseum, Real a Gastropub, Brew’d, Kalapawai Cafe, Side Street Inn and Grondin, and plans are being made to provide kegs to a few local bars.
A tasting room at the brewery is also in the works after a successful Kickstarter campaign generated more than $34,000. When it opens, customers will be able to fill growlers from eight taps and purchase brewery merchandise, while getting a view of the brewing process through large windows. Projected opening day is May 9. Tap Room hours (subject to change) will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Lanikai Brewing Co. is at 175-C Hamakua Drive. To purchase beer direct, email info@lanikaibrewing.com.
Tim Golden shares his obsession with all things craft beer monthly in the Star-Advertiser food section. See his blog, "Beer in Hawaii," at beerinhawaii.com.
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