Bikini Blonde Lager - Maui Brewing Co.

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.76/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A 355ml can with a canned-on date of June 2012. Picked up some time back from Trembling Madness in York. Described on the side as a helles lager brewed with German hops and barley. Unfiltered. What the sailors really come to shore for...

Poured into a straight pint glass. A hazy golden hue with fine sediment and medium carbonation. Yields a small head of white foam that lasts for a minute or two before disappearing. Aroma of light, grainy malt with notes of flowery noble hops, grass/hay and earthy yeast. Nicely rounded.

Tastes of light malt with a subtle hoppy character and a dry finish. Notes of grain, noble hops, grass/hay, faint spiciness, earthy yeast and stewed hops. Well attenuated, with a crisp yet restrained bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, dry and tingly, with pleasant carbonation and good body for the style. Mildly astringent, with an aftertaste of earthy yeast and grassy hops.

A solid lager with a satisfying aroma and flavour. The noble hops are understated but come across well, while the yeast adds depth. Not sure what the Germans would think, but never mind. Well crafted and very drinkable; I'd be happy to have a few of these on the beach. Worth sampling if you come across it.

Serving type: can

04-15-2013 21:05:54 | More by jazzyjeff13

ckollias

Maryland

3.61/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this 12oz can out of a small snifter glass.

A: Pours a straw golden hue with a thin white head that quickly dissipates into a partial wispy lace with no trail.

S: Grassy and slightly hoppy aroma.

T: Slightly sweet flavor with light hoppy middle and finishes on the dry side.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Decent munich helles lager. Went down easy and was refreshing.

Serving type: can

03-28-2013 04:37:04 | More by ckollias

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.71/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

a cloudy light yellow in color with 2 fingers of white head. smells of honey, bready notes... sweet.. almost getting a frosted flakes type smell. a lightly hoppy flavor up front (grassy) with lots of nice bready sweet malt backing it up. nothing too special, but it definitely is very tasty for a lager. very sweet yet still has that nutty character typical of helles/bavarian lagers. light/medium body with a moderate amount of carbonation.

this is a very tasty helles lager, very sweet and flavorful. it's funny that i'm starting to finally appreciate lagers after tasting ones outside of nj.

Serving type: can

02-17-2013 02:05:39 | More by facundoCNB

MikeB20

Delaware

3.4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

P: 12oz can into a perfect pint glass.

A: Pours a slightly hazy pale yellow with a nice bright white foamy head. The head dissipates quickly and leaves a little lacing.

S: Hay like grain and yeast, not really a whole lot more.

T: A nice smooth grainy flavor, very easy drinking and refreshing. Hop bitterness is present but the flavors are not. The malt dominates your palette with a slightly sweet finish.

M: Slightly creamy with moderate carbonation, again, easy drinking.

O: While nothing spectacular this is a solid lager. I could see this being a nice everyday summer brew for myself. Easy drinking but with good flavor and a nice balance. This is my first taste of Maui Brewing as a selection of their beer was given to me by a friend who had it while in Hawaii. I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the beers.

Serving type: can

01-19-2013 17:31:55 | More by MikeB20

rickyleepotts

Arizona

3.03/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I didn’t have this when I was in Hawaii, but we did have the CoCoNut Porter. That beer, which is one of the best porters on the planet, is still one of my favorites. I know Sheryl LOVES that beer. Maybe it was because it was one of the first beers we had on the island… but it still stacks up to anything on the market today. I haven’t had this offering. I wasn’t impressed with their IPA, so I hope their Helles lager is better. I find it interesting that they only can. At the same time, a lot of breweries are going to cans. It’s cheaper, faster, and the beer tends to taste better. We shall see with the Bikini Blonde Lager. Bottoms up, people!

In the Glass: It is pretty boring in the glass. It is light, gold, and looks like a regular domestic beer. I know it’s not… and while it is still made in the United States, is not considered a domestic beer. But it looks pretty boring in the glass. It looks like something I would typically chug.

Nose: It has a typical blonde/light lager aroma to it. Nothing to write home about, but something semi-sweet that makes me want to see what this beer tastes like. I like the design on the can, too. I mean… it’s called Bikini Blonde Lager. There is a bikini blonde on the can. It’s only fitting!

Flavor: The flavor is pretty basic. It’s not overwhelming, and with such a low ABV, is totally something I could see pounding during a football game or on the golf course. I can see why people on the island like this beer. It’s a good, easy drinking beer to have while outside, on the beach, in the hot summer nights.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is thick, somewhat creamy, and provides you with the type of mouthfeel you expect from a craft beer. Having had their porter, this doesn’t even come close. So I might be a little biased. But this is still a solid beer for someone that doesn’t already drink craft beer, or someone that isn’t into thick, dark beers.

Aftertaste: There isn’t much of an aftertaste. What is there is a lingering dryness that keeps me going back for more. Imagine chugging a pint of Coors Light. That aftertaste… only a little bit sweeter and somewhat dry. Again, nothing to write home about.

This beer isn’t something I would order on a regular basis. I also don’t live in Hawaii. I wonder what the locals think of this beer… I am sure it’s popular with the surfer dudes! I like it, but it’s not great. Not their best offering, but something I am glad I got the chance to try.

Bikini Blonde Lager – “The can says: “Cans eliminate light damage and recede the risk of oxidation, keeping that craft brew fresher than in bottles!

“Cans are lighter, chill quicker, and can be enjoyed on beaches and in sensitive environments. Aluminum is the most recycled and more eco-friendly material.

“Bikini Blonde is a fresh handcrafted Helles lager brewed with the finest German hops and barley, not skimpy on flavor… bold, smooth, and refreshing.”

Serving type: can

11-08-2012 05:49:41 | More by rickyleepotts

Dave1999

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a transparent yellow with a white foamy head.

The smell is Sweet grains with some Floral hops.

The taste is biscuit and a little hops.

The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, quite clean and medium to high carbonation.

Overall a decent enough lager, a fair bit better than longboard. Not crisp and clean as you would expect but the creaminess does work.

Serving type: can

09-26-2012 23:52:16 | More by Dave1999

ehammond1

California

2.9/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Can (2012)

Texas Liquor
Carlsbad, CA

Clear golden with a moderately sized off-white head. Leaves dots of lace down the glass. Appropriate.

Toasted, biscuit, sweet malt, some grass, and mild citrus combine for a pleasant, though unexciting, aroma.

The flavor falls short of the aroma, with the usual bready malt and slight sweetness and grass combining, though unfortunately, there's a very off butter like taste, especially as the beer warms.

Medium bodied with high carbonation.

Good enough at cold temperatures, but this fails considerably more upon warming. I don't need to revisit this one.

Serving type: can

09-19-2012 21:47:25 | More by ehammond1

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I like this lager. It's very smooth, with a mild sweet tone. Seems very well balanced. All too often I get that overly malty sweet thing with so many American produced lagers. But that doesn't happen here. The carbonation gives a bit too much bite on the tongue, but overall, this is a very nice beer. Glad I was able to try it.

Serving type: can

08-30-2012 16:41:14 | More by RblWthACoz

inlimbo77

Delaware

2.93/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz, 9/7/11 (almost a year old)
Sam Adams perfect pint

A: Pours a crystal clear BMC yellow color. Still good carbonation. Finger of fluffy white head. Lacing is there.

S: Obviously the age might have knocked this down a bit. The hops have really died out. Getting lots of bready malt character.

T: Tip of the tongue, maybe a touch of hop bite still. It's very faint. Then its all bready and biscuity malt flavor. It's kind of blah at this point. Finish is clean and crisp and flat.

M: Light bodied. Bland and flat.

O: C+

Serving type: can

08-24-2012 14:02:04 | More by inlimbo77

kojevergas

California

2.4/5  rDev -33.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

12 fl oz /355 ml aluminum can with a comfortably grippable top served into a conical Guinness pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are below average given the style.

Served straight from the refrigerator. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food. Consumed on a full stomach.

A: Pours a one finger white colour head without hardly any cream, of poor thickness, and average retention. Body colour is a predictable clear light copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. A mundane appearance; somewhat dull.

Sm: Clean malts, stale orange peel, rice, stale barley, and hints of creamed wheat. A mild strength aroma, and not a particularly appealing one.

T: Clean malts, rice, stale orange peel, stale cream, hints of wheat, and stale barley. Light hopping contributes light vague citrus. A poorly constructed simple brew with some redeeming citrus character. Badly balanced and built. Not at all complex or subtle. No yeast or alcohol comes through. Boring and bland.

Mf: Smooth and wet, with some tingly crystal malt coarseness. Adequately carbonated. Too thick for the lack of body and flavour.

Dr: Drinkable but bleh. A very underwhelming offering from Maui brewing. Certainly the worst brew from them I've yet tried. I won't be getting this again. It hides its mere average ABV pretty well, but that's not much of an accomplishment.

D+

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 04:00:28 | More by kojevergas

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pint in Kailua-Kona.

This beer pours a bright, clear golden amber hue, with one finger of loosely foamy off-white head, which leaves some sparse islet lace around the glass as it wisps away.

It smells of sweet cereal grain, a wee bit of citrus, and soft grassy, weedy, floral hops. The taste is more breakfast vittles grain, some biscuit character, the whole a bit less sweet now, with the attendant, and agreeably bitter, earthy, leafy hops.

The bubbles are decently average, the body a wavering medium weight, and tacitly smooth. It finishes nice and biscuity, the hops still running in a pleasurable tandem.

A more or less perfect start to the evening's relaxing on a patio overlooking the ocean - a light, refreshing, full-flavoured lager. The only drawback? No label to admire, but I have that covered in another avenue.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 03:16:39 | More by biboergosum

Mora2000

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a yellow color with a white head. The aroma is full of bready malt, with some grass, grapes and yeast thrown in. A fairly complex aroma, definitely more so than I was expecting. The flavor is fairly straightforward, with a lot of bread and biscuit malt as well as some very light spices. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: can

04-10-2012 01:58:45 | More by Mora2000

hopfacebrew

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from can to pilsner glass.

A - The beer pours a pale hazy straw blonde color with a small 1/2 finger bubbly white head. Some retention and lacing.

S - Malt forward on the nose. Slight yeast character but aroma is fairly clean and crisp.

T/M - The beer starts and finishes very smooth and slightly creamy, which is nice. The malt found on the nose provides a medium sweetness upon which the mild bitterness and slight fruity banana and apple flavors build. A mild biscuity flavor through the middle and end. The beer finishes smooth and creamy with a linger bread malt sweetness.

O - Pretty easy to put a few of these back. A little malty and lacks the crispness I'd expect but the smooth creaminess was nice.

Serving type: can

03-27-2012 13:34:29 | More by hopfacebrew

jerbax101

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer on a sunset dinner cruise in Maui. There was nothing liking sipping on this smooth tasting blonde while watching a beautiful hawaii sunset. It's not as bitter as other blondes I've had. Color was light for a blonde and very clear. I really enjoyed it.

Serving type: can

03-25-2012 16:38:37 | More by jerbax101

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clear gold. Head is bright white and leaves some spotty hints of lacing on the top of the beer. Carbonation is lively and effervescent.

Smell: Straw, grass, and granny smith apples. Bright and lemony. Hints of wheat and other fruit, but I can't get over the apple. Pale malts and the faintest dusting of citrus. Mildly floral.

Taste: Wheat tang and crisp apple flesh. Grassy and pale malts in abundance. Fruity and floral. Lots of almost earthy biscuity maltiness going on. A touch of citrus rind on the back. Straw and grass.

Mouthfeel: Bright, crisp, and a big carbonation. Light body. Finishes very clean.

Overall: Easy drinking and enough flavor to be interesting. Not outstanding, but manages to never fall flat on its face. Carbonation is its downfall in the end.

Serving type: can

03-14-2012 19:17:16 | More by Goblinmunkey7

mdfb79

New York

3.43/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From 02/05/11 notes. My dad brought me back a can from Hawaii. 12 oz. can into my Duvel tulip.

a - Pours a somewhat hazy orange color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate to high carbonation evident. Some light lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of fruity malts, grains, and some wheat. Not bad at all, but pretty bland in the nose.

t - Tastes of tropical fruits, fruity malts, citrus, grains, wheat, and bready malts. Much fruitier and nicer than the nose, a step up for me.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. A touch too carbonated, and crisp.

o - Overall a decent beer. Easy to drink and light and crisp, with some nice fruit in the taste. Not as good as their CoCoNut Porter but worth checking out once.

Serving type: can

02-06-2012 21:10:00 | More by mdfb79

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed while on vacation in Kihei, HI...also of note, I enjoyed this both in the can and on tap and my notes were very similar so I'm only doing this review once!

A- Pours a mainly clear, with just a touch of chill haze, golden color. There isn't really any great head to speak of, as it starts off as a thin white film, and quickly settles into a thin ring around my glass. Carbonation looks to be fairly lazy looking, as the columns lumber up towards the top of the liquid. The lacing is equally below average, with thin clumps of foam sinking quickly back into the beer....a very average looking beer.

S- This brew smells of all malt, plain and simple....sweet goodness. There are touches of fresh honey, grain and as far as the finish goes, there really isn't any bitterness that I can detect so I'm not sure what others are smelling.

T- This is simply an amazingly flavored beer in this style! The malt profile is among the best anyone will come across, and this really does have notes of honey and strong barley malt for sweetness. This is balanced by mild notes of flower petal and a slight citrus flavor to help with the tartness. The finish I have to say does contain some hop bitterness but I find this with more fruity freshness than anything.

M- This is definitely leaning towards medium bodied and is quite smooth on the palate. The carbonation is very refined and helps to make this beer very creamy. The malt sweetness really shines through! With that said, the finish is crisp, but does leave behind some sticky, syrup like flavors on the palate after, but I find it quite pleasant myself.

O- I've tried several different beers made on these Isles, and so far, this is my favorite beer for everyday drinking! It works very well on the beach, or at the table with family while playing games! It has a richness about it that I never really experienced with anything else local that I tried in a lager, but I realize that this style is supposed to be more fulfilling and it delivers!! Great job Maui Brewing!

Serving type: can

01-30-2012 01:15:26 | More by ChrisCage

UCLABrewN84

California

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Canned on 8/26/11.

5.1% ABV per the label.

Pours a clear golden color with a 1 inch puffy off-white head that settles to a film on the top of the beer. Thin broken rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sweet malt/grains and some fruity aromas. Taste is of sweet malt/grains, light fruits, and slight citrus zest. There is a sweetness that lingers on the palate after each sip. This beer has a crisp carbonation level with a bubbly mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good and easy drinking lager but nothing too exciting.

Serving type: can

01-21-2012 05:57:35 | More by UCLABrewN84

elNopalero

Texas

2.63/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

From Hawaii. So: long distance for distribution, balanced by environmentally-friendly recyclable packaging? I’m not sure the balance is worth it in this case

This looks like a yellow fizzy beer. Very foamy. Low, barely detectable aroma and not a whole lot of flavor either. There is a honey-sweet taste to it, and a sweet finish, but not a whole lot else going on here. Wasn’t horrible but not terribly exciting. I certainly don’t picture myself sitting on a warm, sunny beach and wanting to drink one of these.

Serving type: can

12-11-2011 01:09:57 | More by elNopalero

harrymel

Washington

3.18/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Canned 07JUL11
Can indicates 5.1% ABV

A: golden raisins with near excellent clarity under a solid sheet of white foam trailed with fleeting sheets of lace.
S: Sweet grain, corn, some mineral tones. Decent and faint.
T: Nice sweet flavor is simple and soft with near floral qualities. Perfect for hot weather or as a quick session beer.
M: A bit heavy for the style with lower carb creating a velveteen experience. Empty finish. I like this aspect fairly well.
O: Good tasting beer. Although not a standout, definitely worth a try, and likely something I would drink over and over in a bar.

Serving type: can

11-28-2011 05:27:35 | More by harrymel

sliverX

New York

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured a nice clear gold,rocky white head that hing around after it faded down decent lacing.
Smell is clean with just a touch of malt, its a lager that with a bit of hops would be standard
Taste is sweet a bit honey like, a bit of toasted bread. Dominated by honey sweetness
Mouthfeel is light crisp nice carbonation bright lager
Overall this would be an awesome everyday beach drinker, flavourful but not over powering would be awesome with a touch of hoppyness.

Serving type: can

10-30-2011 19:22:37 | More by sliverX

secondtooth

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Found this in a convenient (and well-priced) sampler 6-pack (CANS!) at the amazing Pono Market in Kapa'a, Kauai. These made my nights in Kauai even better!

Cloudy gold with decent carbonation. Fine white bubbles, but no detectable lace on my wine chalice (it's all I could find in our cottage).

Nose is crisp and malty, with a light hops followthrough/finish.

This was a brisk and flavorful lager -- definitely preferred to the mainstream stuff. Solid.

Serving type: can

10-28-2011 21:46:23 | More by secondtooth

ngeunit1

California

3.9/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a crystal clear golden color with lots of visible carbonation and a thin finger of frothy white head. The head fades fairly quickly leaving behind a little lace.

S - Aroma is quite mild with a mix of some light grains and some faint noble hops. There is also just a bit of biscuit and yeast.

T - Starts off with some light grains and a bit more noble hops than the nose let on. Through the middle, the bready yeast and the sweet biscuit flavors come through. The finish is a mix of noble hop, grain, and biscuit that lingers for a bit.

M - Medium-light bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth and slick with a crisp and very refreshing feeling.

D - Super drinkable. Very smooth and refreshing without sacrificing on the flavor and the body. Really nice grain-hop mix with just enough sweetness.

Serving type: can

09-20-2011 04:17:20 | More by ngeunit1

FUNKPhD

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I really like this beer. This happens to be my go to beer if I'm not feeling like trying something new.

The pour reveals a nice, clear blonde, and somewhat aromatic beverage, resulting in a moderate head. A somewhat fruity, malty aroma is present, and follows through to the taste. Very refreshing, very drinkable. Nice and crisp, not overly carbonated. Bananas are a flavor that I get a lot out of this beer.

It can be a little bit more than a regular six pack of your generic beers, but definitely worth it. I have yet to meet someone who didn't appreciate me bringing this to their get together.

Serving type: can

08-31-2011 01:06:37 | More by FUNKPhD

Cavery

California

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Can shared with SundaySour, figured we'd give this Maui Brew a whirl.

Canned 6/21/11, poured into a pint glass.

A: Light yellow with some give towards pale oranges. Light soap sud head of about 1 1/2 fingers that did left as fast as it arrived. White bubbles give it a classic American session brew look. Modest but apparent ring of foam hugs the glass wall. Doesn't stand out, but it's inoffensive. Small streams of bubbles in a clear body.

S: Wheat and peanut oils mix for a slightly crispy peanut punch. Lightly salted peanuts mixed with lightly buttered popcorns. The wheat sweetness does its best to escape the snack food notes, but it really runs through a spectrum to do so: corn nuts, raw corn tortillas, and light grease make this an oily nose. Surprisingly potent.

T: Light dustings of salt on a mix of nuts. Almonds, cashews, and peanuts complete a salt-friendly nuttiness. Some crispy wheat breakfast sweetness that suggests breakfast toasts and whip butter spreads. I really like the brief appearance of plantains, wish there was more of that. The volume seems turned down a little bit from the nose, but this is a welcome mellowness. Some unexpected dried apricot fruitiness. White corn in the middle-end, before the flavor drops off a cliff. Mild sensations of hop bitterness in the later flavors.

M: Oily and lightly coating, but not overwhelmingly thick. This is much more of a pleasant glaze than a syrupy nightmare. A slippery coco-butter like feeling in the mouth makes the brew just slip too easily down the throat. Really easy to drink, and a solid medium-full body to boot. A complimentary sizzle on first contact.

O: Really quite decent, but the corn and oil flavors make for a bit of a taxing beverage. It drinks very easy, but the flavor makes me feel like I'm drinking a bag of corn nuts. Some people might really like this, but as a person that likes to have food with beer, I feel like this tastes more of fatty salty fried snacks than I'd like. However, there were some things that made this really pretty good. In the middle-flavors I had visits from plantains and dried apricots. I thought that was a really compelling mix, but it was too short lived. I want to up the fruity characters of this beer, and cut down on the salty nuttiness. There's something worth cultivating in here, but for right now it's just pretty okay.

Serving type: can

08-08-2011 00:48:29 | More by Cavery