Bikini Blonde Lager

Maui Brewing Co.

Lahaina, HI

A filtered Munich helles lager brewed with floral hops and pilsner and Munich malts, Bikini Blonde Lager is one of four flagship beers from Maui Brewing Co.

ABV: 4.5

ABW: 3.58

COLOR: 7

BITTERNESS: 18

ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1048

AVAILABLE: AZ, CA, CO, Denmark, England, HI, ID, Japan, MD, NV, OR, Scotland, TX, VA, WA

The can, complete with its cartoon blonde grass-skirted hula girl, makes me think I’m in for a bland light lager, something to be consumed en masse with sand between my toes under a broiling tropical sun. What I get is indeed golden, but slightly hazy, with a foamy head like the surf. Aromas of grain and grassy hay mix with the classic lager yeast scent, a promising start that leads to a luscious bready taste that delivers a slight lip-smacking sweetness and subtle hop back.  A dry and slightly sweet finish leaves me wanting more; no beach required.  This beer has the potential to convert noncraft drinkers and sets a strong example for the style.
- John Holl

On the can it says that this bright gold lager is in the helles style, and my first sniff suggests as much with notes of grain and light florals alongside a whiff of caramel corn—which is not to say adjunct-y, just a bit sweet. The body is not as crisp as it could be, with a bit more sweetness than I would hope for, but still quenching without any cloying sugars on the finish. A nice, balanced and refreshing foray into an underappreciated style.
- Stephen Beaumont

John Holl
John is the editor of All About Beer Magazine, the host of The Beer Briefing on iHeart Radio, and the author of three books, including The American Craft Beer Cookbook. Find him on Twitter @John_Holl.

Stephen Beaumont
Co-author of both The World Atlas of Beer and The Pocket Beer Guide (with Tim Webb), Stephen travels the world sampling beer, hosting dinners and tastings, and eating too much airport food.