We’re in the middle of August and the sun is relentlessly hot. This is the perfect weather for a light, refreshing and crisp lager beer.
Sure, we know of all the big brands that have become ingrained in Hawaii’s drinking culture, but I’m happy to say we now have a lot of amazing locally brewed lagers to choose from.
Lager isn’t just one style of beer and not all of them are light in color. In fact, lagers can be dark, high in alcohol content and vary in flavor. But right now, I’m going to focus on lager styles that are perfect for hot summer drinking, mostly Pilsner and Helles. These two styles of lager beer are what most people associate with the term lager and they are the most popular styles in the world.
Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite locally crafted lagers that are available in bottles and cans around the state.
Big Island Brewhaus
The tiny brewery in Waimea has two world-class lagers available in 22-ounce bottles statewide: Graham’s Pilsner, a Czech-style Pilsner, and Vivo Pilsner, an Italian-style Pilsner. Graham’s has a wonderful full body that accentuates the toasted malt notes and a slight sweet finish all rounded out by earthy hops. Vivo is all about the bright, vibrant hops with notes of lemongrass, hay and lavender.
Maui Brewing Co.
Most locals know of Maui’s flagship, Bikini Blonde, but don’t pass up their Pau Hana Pilsner. Also available in six-pack cans statewide, Pau Hana has a drier finish with less sweetness than Bikini Blonde. The crisp, dry finish makes this a perfect beer for snacking on some pau hana treats.
Lanikai Brewing
Known for using local ingredients in their beers, Lanikai got into the lager game this year with the release of Get Thrills Crush Pils. Brewed as a classic German-style Pilsner, it also has dried mamaki, a native plant that can be drunk like tea. The mamaki adds soft, earthy and floral notes that balance perfectly with the German hops: bright and thirst quenching.
Hana Koa Brewing Co.
Slo Chill Pils, a Czech Pilsner, is worth seeking out at the brewery because it is poured into a mug using a special side-pull faucet. The faucet, commonly used in the Czech Republic, creates a soft, dense and wet layer of foam on top of the beer. It also diffuses some of the carbonation and releases the wonderful bright aromas of the beer. With less carbonation, this beer goes down really easily and doesn’t fill you up too much. You can pick up cans to take home as well.
Kohola Brewery
Lokahi Pilsner won a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016 and for good reason — it’s fantastic. This German-style Pilsner has a light cracker/biscuit malt base and vibrant lemon peel hop aroma. It’s refreshing, full of flavor, but also really easy to drink.
Waikiki Brewing Co.
Craft Light is unassuming, light and darn good. There is not a lot going on with this beer and that is the point. It’s perfectly made with just enough flavor for you to know you’re drinking a beer, but nothing that will overpower your senses. It’s exactly the beer you want to have in your cooler while at the beach or on a boat.
Tim Golden, a certified cicerone, is part owner of Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room in Kakaako. Check out beerinhawaii.com and follow him on Instagram (@beerinhawaii). Tim’s column appears every third Wednesday in Crave.
