Kona – Big Wave Golden Ale Has Arrived

Just last week we received the news that Kona Big Wave Golden Ale would be coming to the U.S. Mainland.  This was a beer that Mattson Davis spoke about when he was our guest a few months ago on the Friday BeerBuzz, so it was not only good news to see it heading our way, but even better news when a surprise box of Big Wave Golden Ale goodies landed at mybeerbuzz headquarters today.

We’re packing up to head to the beach tomorrow so I thought why not try some today and better yet, take some with us to enjoy on the beach….so we did.  First off I should mention the packaging on this beer looks great.  Nothing says refreshing like the great blue color Kona chose for the labeling and especially the cap.  I love great beer crowns and this one is really nice.

So maybe you’re wondering what the beer is like?  Well wait no more.  Kona Big Wave Golden Ale hits you first with a tropical hoppy nose and before you even taste it, this beer simply feels refreshing.  This beer is light and easy drinking so it’s perfect for summer and a great sessionable ale any time of year.  At 21 IBU I wouldn’t call this a hoppy beer, but don’t be fooled…there’s a crisp clean hop flavor in every sip and even hard core hop lovers will find a familiar friend on their tongue.  Mr. Citra and Mr. Galaxy hops linger on your tongue in a really pleasant way and finish cleanly making me want another sip….and at 4.4% ABV you can sip s much as you’d like.

Big Wave Golden Ale is perfect for summer and it was surprisingly thirst quenching, yet still full of flavor.  I remember Mattson Davis mentioning the label when we spoke and it is apparently inspired by the big waves of the northern shore of Oahu…and as I said it looks great.  Big Wave will be available in bottles in thirty of Kona’s mainland markets beginning Aug 13th with draft following in 2013 so watch for it to hit the shelves soon.

I really enjoyed sampling Kona Big Wave Golden Ale, and I can think of only ONE improvement for this beer.  While it was a lot of fun to sample at home, I can only imagine how much better it would be on the north shore of Oahu.  Mahalo Mattson…you have another winner in Big Wave.