S1P37 - Beer Review - Big Wave

This is a blog only beer review by the One Old Guy. I was in Market Street and picked up a 12 pack. This is a somewhat upscale grocery store with upscale prices. Their beer prices are among the highest I've found in the area but they do have a good selection. So, I usually buy something different than my normal beer when I shop there. This time it was Big Wave. This is about as close as I've gotten to surfing in about 50 years. I never rode the 40 footers in Kona but there were decent waves in northeast Florida especially right before storms. 

The Brewery

• Kona Brewing Company - Kona, Hawaii.
• Founded in 1994 by Cameron Healy and his son Spoon Khalsa
• Brewing liquid aloha since 1994
• Kona Brewery uses solar power and recycles water
• A new brewery is being built down the road. Planned opening in 2020
• Beer for the mainland is brewed at affiliated breweries in Portland, OR, Portsmith, NH, and Fort Collins, CO
• Tours daily for $15. Includes gift and beer samples
• Two brewpubs & restaurants
• Kona - 11:00am-10:00pm daily. Full menu, live music Sunday nights
• Koko Marina, Honolulu - 11:00am-10:00pm daily. Full menu, live music Fri, Sat, Sun
• Other beers. Available in all 50 states
• Longboard Island Lager
• Gold Cliff IPA
• Kanaha Blonde Ale
• Hanalei Island IPA
• Fire Rock IPA
• Wailua Wheat

The Beer

• Big Wave Golden Ale
• 4.4% ABV
• IBU 23
• Malts - Pale 2 row premium, Caramel 20
• Hops - Galaxy, Citra
• Calories 132
• $15.99 for a 12 pack of 12 oz. cans at Market Street
• FOOD PAIRINGS - Big Wave’s lighter body and bright hop aroma and taste make it a natural choice to enjoy with seafood, poultry, salads, and light pasta dishes.
• Big Wave is a lighter-bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor—smooth, easy drinking, and refreshing. The use of caramel malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer, and our special blend of hops provides a bright, quenching finish that makes it a struggle to not grab another one.

The Review

Big Wave is a nice refreshing beer. Nothing remarkable but nothing objectionable either. At 4.4% alcohol, it is a sessionable beer with more flavor than the big breweries standard brands. It has a touch of bitterness and floral notes. This particular 12 pack was brewed at Fort Collins, CO. I would certainly buy Big Wave again. I rate this a solid three (3) bottle caps out of five (5). Give it a try. 

wjh