Hoppy visited Pax Verum Brewing on a lazy Sunday afternoon when many people were Christmas shopping. He had visited this location several times before, but had thought he had posted a visit, which was not the case.

They describe their brewery as, “a small destination brewery steeped in mystery and lore located in the heart of Lapel, Indiana. Specializing in lagers, hazy and west coast hoppy beers.” They celebrated their fifth anniversary in August of this year.

While there, Hoppy tasted the following beers:

Higher Calling Midwest IPA– This beer was brewed in collaboration with Elm Street Brewing and is part of the worldwide collaborative effort to raise funds for the breweries and communities in Western North Carolina that were devastated by Hurricane Helene. It is hopped with Magnum, Michigan Chinook, El Dorado and Talus hops. It is described as kicking off grapefruit and tangerine notes aplenty. 7.4% ABV, 60 IBU.

Tremendously Chill Cold IPA – Brewed with Magnum, Idaho #7, Citra and Simcoe hops and infused with gelato brewgas terpenes. 7% ABV, 40 IBU.

Orange 5 Year Anniversary Imperial BBA Stout – Described as a 6-month aged stout in Starlight Distilling Chocolate Cherry Bourbon Barrel, Finished on Orange and Tahitian Vanilla. 10.4% ABV.

Hoppy finished with a pint of Venomous Pink Fruited Sour Ale – A blend of hibiscus, blackberry, raspberry and Madagascar vanilla. 4.2% ABV.

Hoppy has enjoyed quaffing Reptilia, Clouded Judgement, and Nectar of the Gods on previous visits.

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On you next visit to Pax Verum look for a Hoppy sticker!

Kohola Brewing opened in December 2015 at the former brewhouse of Maui Brewing in the heart of Lahaina, Maui. Their entire brewing facility and taproom burned to the ground during the Lahaina Wildfire in August 2023. (All of their employees survived the catastrophe, but approximately 75% lost their homes.) As a result, within three months of the fire, they developed a contract brewing partnership with Kona Brewing and have continued in-state production at their Kailua-Kona facility on the Big Island. It is their intent to eventually reopen a brewery in Maui.

On July 21st, 2024, just under a year after the fire, Kohola opened a Taproom/Eatery in Wailea, Maui. Hoppy had the pleasure to visit this location recently.

While there, Hoppy drank The WaterMan IPA described as being a west coast style, refreshing and well balanced. It carries hop aromas of grapefruit and tangerine with slight tropical fruit in the background from Simcoe and Summit hop additions. 6.8% ABV, 70 IBU.

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Maui Brewing opened this location in the summer of 2023. It is located directly on Ka’anapali Beach which was listed by TripAdvisor as the top beach in the U.S. in 2023.

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Hoppy also visited the Maui Brewing location in Kahana. Brewing began at this facility in 2006, but it is currently a restaurant and pub since they moved their brewing to Kihei.

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In a recent visit to Maui, Hoppy visited the three locations of Maui Brewing on the island. The first visit took place at their brewery location in Kihei. They are the largest craft brewery in Hawaii, and they opened a restaurant at their brewery location in 2018. (They opened their original brewery in Lahaina in 2005 and relocated to Kihei in 2014.)

While he was there, Hoppy quaffed a Double Overhead Imperial IPA, which he drank at all three locations. It is brewed with El Dorado and Amarillo hops and described as having a rich, slightly malty body that provides the base for this generously hopped Imperial India Pale Ale. 8.5% ABV, 85 IBU.

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