Archives: Whaler's Brewpub 2/9/98

Whaler's Brewpub
Lihue, HI
Mon. 2/9/98, 1pm
[closed]

House Brews:
Wild Wahine Wheat
Tutu's Guava Wheat
Shark Attack ESB
Pele's Porter
Coconut Head Red
Hopback IPA
Kalapaki Stout

Location! Location!! Location!!!! I see WHALES!!!

Got a sampler of the 7 beers.

Pele Porter: John's notes: Excellent aroma. It has a good aroma for a porter. More of a coffee flavor than a chocolate flavor. It would be an excellent beer except it's a little too watery and weak in the body. Becky's notes: Ditto. Wonderful flavor. Body not horrible but could be improved. 8.2

Coconut Head Red Ale: Becky's notes: Caramel aroma. Clean bright red color. A crisp tasting beer, more malty than many red ales. Hops are somewhat subdued. John's notes: Again, just a little weak in the body, but tasty. 8.0

Wild Wahine (Woman) Wheat: Becky's notes: Unpleasant aroma. Smells like urine. Very weak in body. Not a great beer, as we thought from the first two (body problems aside, they have had good flavor). I do not care for this beer. John's notes: My guess is they had a problem brewing this batch. It tastes infected. 6.8

Hopback IPA: John's notes: This beer (unlike the others) has some hop aroma. It has the best body of the beers. It's less hoppy in taste than most IPA's. The taste is not bad for an IPA (which is not my favorite style) [2010 note: tastes change - he is now a self-described hophead]. Becky's notes: Nor my favorite style, but this is a quite drinkable beer. 7.9

Kalapaki Stout: Becky's notes: Looks dark and carbonated like a Coke Classic. However, the aroma and flavor are pure Kona coffee. But it's been on the burner too long. Bitter. John's notes: Yep, this beer's been on the burner too long. I've never had a beer that tasted so much like coffee. Becky's notes: John doesn't drink coffee. 7.3

Tutu's Guava Wheat: Becky's notes: Faint aroma. Much better than Wahine Wheat. Guava tastes faintly like raspberry so this vaguely resembles a nicely subtle raspberry wheat. Again, flavor is excellent, body needs some work. Not much of a noticeable finish. John's notes: Ditto - this is a much better wheat beer. 8.1

Shark Attack ESB: Becky's notes: Aroma is hoppy and bitter - appropriate for this style. Color a faint reddish gold. Body is best-made of all the samples. Good flavor - not outstanding. John's notes: If I was crazy about ESBs, this might be my favorite beer of the lot. It's a good representative of the style. 8.0

Postscript: Ok, the beers aren't perfect, but with this view, I'm not going to complain! By the way the food is delicious. Food is ONO - view is STUPENDOUS!