Tap Handle #223: Bayhawk Ales - Blue Hawaiian Hefeweizen

This is as rare a tap as you will ever find, because it was contract brewed for specific restaurants and produced in very few numbers. The label section is held on with magnets and detaches; there is some kind of strange battery compartment behind it. My understanding is that the hula dancer wiggles back in forth when the batteries are in place. So far I haven't been able to get it to work, but I'll keep trying. A great and very unique tap.

Blue Hawaiian was originally contract brewed for restaurants like Yard House in Orange County, California by Bayhawk Brewing. However, Bayhawk has stopped using the Blue Hawaiian name and simply calls the brew Bayhawk Hefeweizen. Here is some background on Bayhawk:

Bayhawk Brewing was founded in 1994 in Irvine, California, by James W. Bernau, president of an Oregon winery and a former lobbyist in that state. To secure more capital, he took the company public in 1995. Bernau's strategy created a stir in the microbrewing industry, where most brewers consider themselves craftsmen whose goal is to create fine beers and ales. Critics said Bernau seemed intent on making money by selling the glamour of a trendy business. But Bayhawk found a niche in brewing house beers for many fine restaurants and taverns throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and now has over 1000 investors, becoming orange County's oldest and largest brewery. They produce seven permanent styles with seasonal offerings, with a 10,000 barrel per year capacity, as well as a bottling line for three of their products (Imperial Brown Ale, Chocolate Porter and California Pale Ale). Bayhawk does not have a tasting room and is not open to the public.

Bayhawk Hefeweizen is a German hefeweizen with a golden orange color and cloudy body, and is thick with sweet, malty flavor and has hints of citrus, lemon, banana, and herbal spiciness. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 2.58 out of 5.

Bayhawk Ales Official Website