Tap Handle #425: Ohana

September 07, 2014

Tap Handle #425: Ohana

Tap size: 10"
Rarity: Very Rare
Mounting: internal 3/8" nut

I've got several taps in the collection with a tiki theme, but this might be the best. Featuring a large, grinning tiki wearing a necklace of hops and dark sunglasses, it is both brilliant and simple, and is easily recognizable as Ohana's brand. As a brewery, that's what you want from a tap handle: to make it easily distinguishable from all other brands at the tap. There is no label - it is used for all of their varieties. For a time they were attainable, although the price was very expensive. Lately it seems the supply has dried up and they are very hard to find.

Click through to read more about Ohana, their beers, and to see more photos of this eye-catching tap...

Ohana Brewing Company was founded in Los Angeles, California in 2010 by Carson Luthi. Luthi was part of a group of homebrewers based out of legendary Long Beach brewing supply store Steinfillers. He acquired a seven barrel brew house that was previously owned by Craftsman Brewing Company of Pasadena. However, hard-to-please building inspectors coupled with unanticipated costs to meet bizarre, restaurant-specific Health Department codes set the project back from its opening. Frustrated with the whole process, Karsen Luthi gave control of the brewery to his son Andrew, making Andrew quite possibly the youngest brewery owner in the country.

Shortly after, Ohana received a phone call from the Department of Health, informing them that breweries weren't under its jurisdiction anymore, meaning that all of the costly things the department told them they needed to do in order to receive permitting suddenly became obsolete. According to Andrew, it saved the brewery. He began brewing in 2012, and the first beers were Saison Dubach and a 9.4% ABV Belgian golden strong called Accomplice. The first kegs of Ohana beer were tapped at Boneyard Bistro, Far Bar, the Factory, City Tavern and Beachwood BBQ. Their motto is "a fresh face in beer."

Ohana opened a separate 870 square foot tasting room in 2014 in Alhambra (8 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles), attached to and located behind the popular craft beer mecca, 38 Degrees Ale House & Grill. The tasting room provides samples of Ohana beers, fillable growlers, and merchandise. Alhambra's location was chosen due to the problems the brewery has had with bureaucracy in Los Angeles and the welcome support from the city of Alhambra. Ohana is still hoping to have a taproom at their main facility someday, but it would involve some build-out and additional permitting. The brewery currently brews 6 different varieties, with several other seasonal and specialty brews. The brewery recently won a silver medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup for their Saison Noir.

Ohana Pacific Ale is a golden blonde ale that is one of their four flagship beers and is available year round. It is a light hybrid beer that is clean, smooth and easy to drink, slightly malty, and brewed exclusively with Helga hops grown in the South Pacific (Australia). Helga hops, derived from the noble German Hallertauer Mittelfruh hop, impart a delicate floral and herbal aroma.