Chicago Hawaiian Honey

Brewed by Chicago Brewing Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Las Vegas, Nevada USA

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

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I got to try a barrel tasting of this when I visited the brewery before it came out. As I understand, they won a bronze that year for the beer. The brewmaster told me that he used about 15 pounds of pure honey per 60 gallon batch.

On tap at the brewpub, served in a tulip glass. I failed to ask more about the beer so I’m not sure what Kyle would classify this as. It had the character of a Belgian style ale, which I know Kyle likes to do ... but the name confused me I guess. It pours a rosy red with a strong sugary sense, almost Kool Aid-y. Robust and rich this is quite nice.

GABF 2008 poured a clear gold with a lingering ring of ivory foam. Aromas of honey, fruittiness, light straw and light spice. Palate was medium bodied smooth and slightly syrupy. Flavors of honey, carmel and fruittiness with a smooth lingering sweet finish.

2007 PP Strong Ale Fest: Poured a clear golden color. Sweet aroma with honey and malt dominating. Moderate level of alcohol on the nose. Sweet malty flavor to start. Honey and alcohol on the finish. Medium-full body.

Draught at the brewpub
Cloudy golden color. Strange aroma, fruity, like grapes, or wine wort. Strong body, but the alcohol kick is strong too; sweet malt flavor with fruity notes. It reminds me some German blond Doppelbock. More a curiosity than a great beer, but drinkable.

Sample at the brewpub. This beer pours a clear honey color with a thin off-white head that diminishes steadily. Spotty lacing on the glass. Aroma of honey and brady malt, along with some spice. Medium-bodied with a mouthfeel like a lighter Barley Wine, this is definitely a sipper. Flavors of wheat, dark malt, tart fruit and honey are all present. The finish is round and sweet with a lingering honey and spice aftertaste. Although this is a unique beer, it is hard to imagine drinking an entire snifter of it.

12 oz bottle. higher alcohols very evident, yet does not belie its 12% abv. Tastes more on the 7-8% level. Still very drinkable. Honey evident in the aroma and in the flavor, the malt tries to keep up but just can’t. A bit out of balance, but still a pleasant surprise.

GABF ’07. Pours clear yellow with a small, fizzy, white head, diminishing with spare lacing. Aroma is average malt (bread, meal), light hops (herbs), average yeast (earth) with notes of banana and honey. Medium bodied, creamy texture, lively carbonation, and a bitter finish. Average duration, moderate sweetness, light acidity and bitterness.

UPDATED: DEC 25, 2011
Name: Hawaiian Honey Aloha Ale
Date: November 30, 2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Tasting, Strong Ale Fest
Appearance: hazy dark gold, fine off white head
Aroma: sweet honey and malt aroma with a peppery spicy edge
Body: big body with a bit of stickyness
Flavor: rich sweet honey flavor, touch of alcohol, light spicyness adds the needed complexity and balance, lasting sweet honey finish

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ** /4

Date: December 01, 2011
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub
Words: fermented with champagne yeast
Appearance: clear dark gold
Aroma: dry honey aroma with just a touch of sweetness, light earthyness
Flavor: rich honey flavor, light sweetness considering the amount of honey but I guess that’s why it’s 13%, light spicy pepperyness from the alcohol

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: ** /4

A little honey in the aroma. This tastes a little like an imitation of Samiclaus I guess. Very weird and lots of alcohol in it and not hidden. Drinkable, but only in small small amounts.