The Lihue Lager is a golden Munich Helles lager made with German malts and tropical flavored hops. It comes in at a comfortable 5% ABV. The taste is relaxed and soft, making for a fine afternoon beer. The Rice St. Rye is a 5.1% ABV American Rye made with a combination of wheat and rye that give it a golden amber color. The rye beer’s taste is bread-­like and very satisfying. The Black Limousine is a Bavarian Schwarzbier, similar to a porter, and has a coffee with toffee flavor. IPAloha is a traditional hoppy brew, but not ultra ­hopped, and its ABV is anywhere from 6.1% to 7.5%. This one is refreshing and botanical.

The brewery also makes a barleywine called Sleeping Giant, and the taproom rotates which of the flagship beers is on nitro, which Guerber says are up to the whims of his son. This particular week, the nitro beer is Lihue Lager. Guerber and his son are in the process of expanding the brewery and are currently adding a beer garden. The brewery plans on canning beers in the near future, and just this last January, the brewery added a kitchen, which currently offers 14 items from snacks like pretzels with spicy mustard to stews, salads and sandwiches.

Kauai Beer Company, 4265 Rice St.; Lihue, HI; 808­-245-­2337

3/5 

Photo by Carrie Dow