Coronado Brewing Director of Brewing Operations Shawn Steele Talks Island Vibes

We spoke with Coronado Brewing Director of Brewing Operations Shawn Steele about Island Vibes.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
Many years ago, I was at a garden supply store and came across this wonderful aroma. Not knowing what was growing on the vine, I asked one of the employees – they told me it was passion fruit. Since then I’ve gone on to brew a few passion fruit beers – Island Vibes is my latest foray into a passion fruit beer. It turns out passion fruit is a great match for beer.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
My favorite aspect of this beer is the drinkability. It’s super refreshing, effervescent and at 4.5%, it’s the perfect session beer.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
When I think of tropical fruit like passion fruit, the first thing that comes to mind is an island paradise. Everything about this beer screams summer vibes, so we named it to evoke feelings of island living.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
Yes! Island Vibes is perfect for drinking on a desert island.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Bright, crisp and refreshing with vibrant flavors of tropical fruit.

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
Because Island Vibes is so refreshing, and the passion fruit really comes through, it’s a great match to citrus forward dishes like ceviche, and helps temper the heat for spicy foods like Mexican and Thai dishes. The beer is also delicate enough to not overwhelm fish, chicken and salads.

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