A’a IPA
Ola Brewing Corporation

Poured on tap into a shaker pint glass in Mauna Lani.
A: Pours a clear golden yellow hue with 1/2 frothy off white head that settles to 1/4 inch and leaves generous lacing on the glass.
S: Grapefruit, orange zest, tangerine, pine, and caramel malt.
T: Grapefruit and pine resin up front. Strong caramel malt backbone with hints of orange and lemon.
M: Light medium body. Moderate pine and tropical hop bitterness. Smooth and slightly oily feel.
D: Decent IPA with fair hop expression. Refreshing and sessionable.

 

probably the most robust of the hoppy beers we had from these guys, still not super strong or anything, but the bitterness is turned up over their flagship ipa, it has enough body to present as balanced, and the freshness is on point, it really stands out and makes this pop. i like how clean and simple the grain base seems to be, lots of run room for the hops this way, golden in color and near clear but not quite, some lingering low white foam on top, smells vibrant and somewhat familiar, but also well refined and punchy, citrusy, summery, bitter, mineral forward too, grainy without being sweet or toasted, and neutral in terms of yeast, all of which is there in the flavor of this too. lemongrass and tangerine and rindy melon along with some juicy pineapple but it stays away from overt tropicality and cloying juiciness because the bitterness is also turned up, although i suppose this has some similarities to their flagship ipa, it just punches a little harder, feels only a little bigger, and is rightly billed as a true west coast style. i think the hops work well in it, pretty full spectrum of not real unique, the grain keeps it balanced without heavying it, and there is an almost cold fermented crispness as well, so it drinks clean for being robust like it is. i think i liked this even a little bit better than the very good flagship, light spiciness late and as it warms up, ample carbonation, refreshing for the style, well done.

 

 

 

A'a is one of my favorite IPAs of all time. When you visit Hawai'i, this is a must visit brewery. There are really only 3 breweries to try on the Big Island, and Ola is the best of the three. Kona Brewery is the biggest, but Ola has great IPAs and ciders. The a'a is the best of the IPAs. It's a decently high ABV, a high bitterness, but it also has great taste and a clean finish.