Glassware: The aroma of Liliko’i Kepolo is both breathtaking and invigorating and glassware that helps capture that is best suited for the beer and the drinker. A snifter glass would be your best choice but a tulip glass would be a good choice as well. Spiegelau does offer a newly made wheat beer glass, but they are hard to find at many craft beer bars, but if that is an option it is by far the best.
Description: Liliko’i Kepolo pours a cloudy yellow orange, reminiscent of fresh pineapple and orange juice, with frothy white head that leaves small traces of lacing behind on the glass. The aroma is a tropical fruit punch to the nose with passion fruit on full display backed with hints of coriander and wheat malts. The taste is dominated by passion fruit notes followed by wheat malts imparting a sweet sensation before subtle citrus fruits dance across the palate on the back end. This is definitely a sweet tasting beer, but is balanced with tartness and is not overly sweet nor cloying and remains highly drinkable. The medium-light body and moderate carbonation impart a smooth mouthfeel with a crisp finish. This is an absolutely perfect beer for the summer and has something for everyone who enjoys great beer!
Food pairing: Witbier’s should be light and refreshing yet flavorful and the addition of passion fruit makes this a beer that is most definitely flavorful. However, it is still quite a light beer and goes great with an array of lunch and brunch offerings. Try pairing Liliko’i Kepolo with eggs benedict, the creamy sauce will become enlivened by the passion fruit tones and the natural sweetness of the dish will be enhanced while the lively carbonation will cleanse the palate of any sticky residue. Salads also make a wonderful pairing as the beer is light enough not to overwhelm even the lightest of them. The fruit flavor will act almost as vinaigrette, so choose a dressing that partners well with this and you will find yourself enjoying the most relaxing salad ever. Also don’t forget dessert, the sweetness in the beer makes it perfect for dessert pairings, especially those with tropical fruit flavors such as pineapple upside cake, bananas foster, mango and passion fruit caramel tart, and Açaí Flan.
The Final Word: Liliko’i Kepolo is a beer full of tropical notes making it a great beer to enjoy during the warm summer months. Avery has established a reputation for well brewed beers that pack a lot of flavor, but still maintain balance and drinkability. Liliko’i Kepolo packs a lot of wonderfully sweet aromas and taste, but still maintains balance and shies away from being just another fruit beer. Instead this is a fruit beer with heart and soul that has a lot to offer craft beer newbies, novices, and even those who claim to not like craft beer. It is an absolute must try beer this summer!
Remember, enjoy responsibly!
