You wouldn’t know it around here but it’s almost Summer. In fact in less than a week we will be experiencing one of the longest days of the year. But acceptance of the cooler Spring weather shouldn’t stop you from consuming something that matches the color of our warm friend (pssst, the Sun).

Situated on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands, Maui Brewing has been a relative obscure brewery these past two years. For most of us in the larger cities, we have had the pleasure of enjoying a Bikini Blonde, Big Swell IPA and sometimes Coconut Porter. But with the prospect of warmer weather ahead we elected to prepare ourselves with a Mana Wheat.

Brewery Description

An unfiltered, freshly handcrafted Amiercan-style wheat ale infused with Maui Gold Pineapple. Our crisp and refreshing wheat ale is lightly hopped to allow the fruity sweetness of the pineapple to shine. The yeast stays in suspension making the ale traditionally cloudy.

Beer Geek Information

ABV: 5.5%

IBU: 18

Hops: Hersbrucker

Suggested guidelines for an American-style Fruit Wheat Ale from the Brewers Association

This beer can be made using either ale or lager yeast. It can be brewed with 30 to 75 percent malted wheat. Fruit or fruit extracts contribute flavor and/or aroma. Perceived fruit qualities should be authentic and replicate true fruit complexity as much as possible.Color should reflect a degree of fruit’s color. Hop rates may be low to medium. Hop characters may be light to moderate in bitterness, flavor and aroma. Fruity-estery aroma and flavor from yeast can be typical but at low levels; however, phenolic, clovelike characteristics should not be perceived. Body should be light to medium in character. Diacetyl should not be perceived. When this style is served with yeast the character should portray a full yeasty mouthfeel and appear hazy to very cloudy. Chill haze is also acceptable. Yeast flavor and aroma should be low to medium but not overpowering the balance and character of malt and hops. Brewer may indicate on the bottle whether the yeast should be intentionally roused or if they prefer that the entry be poured as quietly as possible

Out of the can (or if you can find it on draft) Mana Wheat pours golden with a ‘chili haze’ of clarity. As it rests in the glass before consumption an initial one inch cap of head is featured prominently on top. Warming up the this cap evaporates leaving no lace behind.

Taking in the aroma one can smell bits of honey, sweet fruit, bits of wheat and a slight citrus quality to it. Drinking this you are greeted by sweet honey, coriander (?), and wheat; before finishing dry with notes of pineapple citrus. Overall Maui Mana Wheat has a mild to medium weight as it coarses across the tongue.

Our Thoughts.
You Should Try It. Sooner or later that lawn or garden will need attention. And when that day comes you will need something to celebrate your thirst with. Heck if you are feeling up to pairing this you might just go with something trite like a teriyaki burger (poultry or beef).

Recently we sent word to owner Garrett and asked him about how often we should expect to find this on the shelves? Truth is the beer will only be available so long as the native supply of pineapple is available. Because of this you might get used to the idea of seeing (potentially) variations of Mana Wheat including Mango (among others).

Look for this currently at your nearest bottleshop and eventually your nearest grocer.

Thoughts by your Colleagues
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16057/60682/?ba=Xul
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/maui-brewing-mana-wheat/77156/

Cheers

About the photo’s author
Paul “Fruit Trees” Orchard, is an amateur craft beer enthusiast and amateur photographer. Throughout the many years in craft beer he is always carrying a camera (smartphone, digital, traditional) and is invites you to see that beer can also be exciting even if you can’t drink the photo.

In accordance with new FTC regulations regarding bloggers and endorsements, the aforementioned company has provided me a free sample that was used for research prior to writing this review.