Maui Brewing Co.

Maui, HI

Mana Wheat American-style wheat ale

5.5% ABV

Dipping into my Hawaiian stash again for another offering from Maui Brewing. This time, their Mana Wheat, an American-style wheat ale brewed with pineapple juice. While I generally favor traditional Hefeweizens – that rich banana flavor, that sweet bubble gum smell – more than American wheat beers, this is definitely an American version of a wheat that really surprised me.

It pours that traditional hefe look: Deep orange, hazy as hell from the yeast and very effervescent and carbonated. The carbonation was flying off the end of the glass, and of course there was a thick, fluffy head on top.

The smell on this thing is fantastic. The pineapple is very pronounced, but with that dull sweetness you get from straight juice instead of that slight tang from regular pineapple. It’s a very thick smelling beer.

And damn, if this thing wasn’t tasty. There’s that sweet but hoppy flavor on the front, the thick mouthfeel that washes over your palate and a crisp, clean finish. The pineapple really make this stand out. That tangy, sticky sweetness imparts a really great flavor.

The only bad part? I’ve only got one can left.