Bring back the draft
Beerfest shows isle beer talent
The best line overheard at the entrance to the Waikiki Shell last Friday: After being asked what his favorite beer was, a guy in his mid-20s simply answered "a cold one."
An open mind and a willingness to walk were the two main requirements at last week's Great Diamond Head Beerfest, which featured over 100 different beers, in addition to malternatives and other non-alcoholic drinks. The event's outdoor setting in the area between the rear of the Shell and Kapiolani Park provided lots of room for people to spread out and enjoy the live entertainment or just wander around before sampling more beer.
Of the local breweries in attendance last week, the Barfly was most impressed overall with the offerings of Sam Choy's Big Aloha Brewery. The Steamship Lager was a crisp, golden offering that went down smooth without a lot of carbonation. Being more of a dark, full-bodied beer drinking kind of guy, I was drawn to the rich color and slightly sweet taste of the Keawe Honey Porter that was also being poured. The Ehu Ale on tap wasn't too bad either. If you haven't been to the Big Aloha Brewery inside Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch and Crab on Nimitz Highway lately, I suggest you stop in and knock a few back; you'll definitely see the Barfly stopping by there soon.
Brew Moon was another local microbrewery at the Beerfest, showcasing five different beers that are being served at their Ward Centre location. Their Black Hole Lager reminded me of my all-time favorite dark beer, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, sharing the same buttery smoothness and malty taste without being bitter. The batch of Black Hole Lager being served at the Brew Moon booth was only a week old, too -- no need to worry about a born-on date with this stuff.
The Barfly also got a chance to try a new malternative offering, Jack Daniels Hard Cola, while at Beerfest. The new drink's distinctive black label and dark color help it to stand out from other "girly beers" out there, and it even tastes a bit like a real Jack and Coke. Currently available at select Longs Drugs and Times Supermarket locations, Jack Daniels Hard Cola could gain a following among guys too embarrassed to drink a Smirnoff Ice or Skyy Blue. It could also prove popular as a chaser for actual whiskey shots.
Events like The Great Diamond Head Beerfest can sometimes be a good alternative to the same old hangouts week after week, much like trying out a new bar that you've never visited before. Hawaii's breweries also have progressed steadily over the years and now offer a variety of beers that rival offerings by their mainland and international counterparts. This weekend, skip the Bud Light for once and splurge on a glass of Hawaii 5 Ale at Brew Moon. You'll be glad you did.
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.