Big Wave Golden Ale - Kona Brewing Co.

Overlord

California

2.38/5  rDev -32.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Pours yellow, large white head. Smell: pure macro lager. Ugh. Taste slight skunk, overly sweet, unpalatable, sickle, and there's little to nothing "blond" about it.

Just not a good brew, and I never would have guessed that I was drinking an ale. Watery, not very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2008 02:08:02 | More by Overlord

WJVII

Wisconsin

2.53/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Got this from my sister-in-law who went on her honey-moon in Hawaii. Never would have been able to try this beer in WI so I finally opened it. Poured into a pint glass this was a light golden color. Not much of a head at all and no lacing. This beer has a very sweet smell and a little citrus. Upon tasting this beer had a very thin and almost watery taste. Not much to it at all. I suppose with intense heat on the beach it may be a nice change from the mass produced Mexican beers, but here in WI it doesn't have much appeal. I am glad I got to try it, but I am not too impressed. Maybe if I make it to the big island I will give it another shot?!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2007 00:59:53 | More by WJVII

sam_bliss

Washington

2.59/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75

Bottle into mug

This one pours crystal-freaking clear, the color of coors banquet--maybe a little darker, but not much. A nice little white bubbly head tops it off. Smells of grassy and citrusy hops, but not strongly enough: I leaned in further to get a better whiff and my nose got wet. I inhaled some foam but detected no more powerful aromatics. I guess Big Wave is just a super clean, weak-smelling brew. An adjunct corny flavor comes through in the taste. I could almost mistake this ale for Bud Light Platinum... It is a bit bready but very lightly malted with a thin consistency. The mouthfeel leaves something to be desired.

I suppose this is Kona's attempt at an ale that is sessionable and easy-drinking. The fact that I could drink this all night without getting drunk merits a 2.75 overall score, since it's much better than most 4.4% beers such as Keystone Light..

The pilsner-style malts, though very weak, make this one taste almost like a lager. Overall, it is just watery.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 06:16:03 | More by sam_bliss

brdc

Wisconsin

2.63/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

From notes. On tap in Hawaii.

Poured into a pint, it is light yellow in color, and it came with a minimal head, but that could just be the pour, as this is not exactly a beer bar.
Aroma is faint, grains, some fruity notes, no vanilla as others found.
Thin, it was refreshing for the situation, but it lacks flavors in a major way, so descriptions here are limited.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2011 02:26:10 | More by brdc

UCLABrewN84

California

2.63/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Purchased at a random ABC Store in Maui, HI. I picked this one up because I have never seen it in California.

Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a 1 inch foamy white head that settles to a thin cap. Thin broken foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt/grains and maybe some grassy/veggie aromas. A bit of a metallic aroma as well. Taste is of malt/grains, grass/veggies, and salt. Why is this beer salty at all? A mild bitterness after each sip. This beer has a pretty good carbonation but it is slightly thick feeling for some reason. Overall, this is not a very good beer. I am still curious as to why this is salty.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 09:39:28 | More by UCLABrewN84

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.73/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75

12 ounce bottle - $1.39 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Bottling Date: MAR 13 13.

Appearance: Pours out a clear, pale yellow body with a smallish, thin layer of white suds.

Smell: Grainy-scented nose edged with waterlogged biscuits and the faintest, far-off hint of honey. A little flower petal, a little sweaty citrus rind.

Taste: Washed out biscuit-toned malts with a thin, thin honeyed veneer to it. Some husky, grainy astringency noted. Modest floral, faintly citrusy hops with a bit of bitterness aided by the graininess and crisp carbonation. Dry, bitterish, crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Overall: What the hell is going on here?

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:39:42 | More by ChainGangGuy

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.74/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Yeah, it's great for some gnar and whatnot, but you don't wanna get one too big... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear golden-straw topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises old mango, funky lemon peel, mild grass, and a few tablespoons of honey. The taste focuses on the lemon, with a slightly decreased sense of funk, altogether tempered by a crisp, watery biscuit-ish character. The body is a hefty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a crisp-ish finish. Overall, an odd little beer, one that seems to wanna be a lightly fruity blonde, but one that ends up a watered-down and funky husk of its own aspirations.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 13:34:56 | More by TMoney2591

BigJim5021

Indiana

2.8/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A coworker snagged this for me on a recent trip to Hawaii. Thanks, Liz.

Pale gold with a quickly vanishing white head. Decent lacing.

Smells like... well, not much at all. I'm picking up basically no aroma.

Flavor isn't bad. Tastes a bit like an all-malt lager. It's got a smooth malt presence, though nothing spectacular. Hops are pretty much non-existant. Not bad, though.

Mouthfeel is decent. Medium bodied and goes down smooth.

Drinkability is average. There's not much to this beer, but it's also wholly inoffensive. It didn't set my nethers tingling, but I didn't want to puke and die either.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2009 05:04:31 | More by BigJim5021

SubpoenaDeuces

California

2.83/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Big wave golden ale

A: muted gold, cider apple juice color minimal head with no lacing, no middle carbonation

S honey, grapes, cooked yams; I have a hard time really expounding on such a limited presentation. This is truly a face-value beer.

T mild bread, watery character with a clean finish, cornbread honey character. It feels like a copycat of so many other beers and mixed styles.

M very light with minimal coating if at all, very refreshing no carbonation to follow through but muted sugar notes make it pretty pleasant in hot weather, I GUESS.

D very drinkable character light minimal hop profile perfect for the duty it presents but limited utility

Narrative: Life was rough for the staggered Tetris block, Reggie. Sure, there were times when he would help out the project and ease construction in a limited fashion, but mostly he found himself cast aside, waiting for others to step in and help. “Don’t get down Reggie,” the slim solid 4 block Agapantha would console him, “we all, you know we all get sore sometimes, that’s just how Tetris goes, line eat line world.” Despite these consoling remarks, deep down Reggie knew he was unwanted. He could feel the disappointed glares when he would arrive next in line and announce his willingness. “Ah jeez, I don’t…I don’t know, just put him wherever, we will figure that one out…later I guess.” Reggie sighed a generic sigh and held his head up high, waiting for his day in the sun.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 08:16:55 | More by SubpoenaDeuces

Murrhey

Montana

2.85/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a tumbler in high elevation Libby, Mont. Paired with pretzels and reviewed live.

A- Half a finger white head. Large bubbles. Low retention. No real lacing to speak of. Golden color. High clarity and nice carbonation.

S- Golden malts, light hops. Some wheat.

T- Wheat. Not great.

M- Light and watery.

O- Below average golden ale. Nothing special about this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 03:54:12 | More by Murrhey

tai4ji2x

Massachusetts

2.88/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

imported to china by ACBP www.realbeer.com.cn

stamped on neck with 1/18/2008. importer's label also has bottling date

poured into tulip

deep golden honey color with orange and copper hues. relatively clear, though the second half of the bottle brings some haze and yeast sediment. some head, but quickly fades to a few wisps and a ring. no lacing.

faint aroma of citrus peel, with malt note underneath. some other fruity nuances (peach), then some phenols. whiff of grassy hop. hint of bread and yeast.

taste is too dominated by medicinal phenols, throughout and especially in the finish. underneath, some malt and fruity subtleties, plus a snappy hop bitterness, but it all gets lost and distracted by the medicinal character.

not too thin. moderate carbonation.

that's three strikes for kona. sorry to say. although i guess maybe i'll give them another chance, since american blonde ale is such a crap style anyway.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2008 12:37:44 | More by tai4ji2x

jhoban19

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at a restaurant in Honolulu. served in a chilled weizen glass.

A: pale golden color with streaming bubbles and a thin white foam. settles into a thin ring quickly, with some decent lacing.

S: caramel malt and yeasty bread dough. that's pretty much it. would have liked even some subtle floral or fruit aromas, but I didn't pick up anything along those lines.

T: all malt- not bad, just uninteresting. a fairly basic brew.

M: probably the best thing I can say about Big Wave is that it goes down smooth with a bit of dryness in the finish. a bit more medium bodied than I was expecting as well.

D: again, not a bad beer, just very simple. on a hot day and in the absence of other options, I wouldn't cringe at having a Big Wave in front of me. I wouldn't seek it out though.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2009 00:46:51 | More by jhoban19

ElGordo

Oregon

2.98/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a bright golden color with a quick flourish of white head. Aroma of very light pale malt with a mild biscuity sweetness and a hint of tropical fruit. Palate is rather, um, neutral. Pale malt with a touch of sweetness and an underlying note of tropical fruit. The sweetness fades on the finish, yielding to a mildly chalky flavor and texture. Body is watery and, again, mildly chalky at the finish. You could do worse than this on a hot day, but it is pretty uninteresting.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 05:32:05 | More by ElGordo

changeup45

Florida

3/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The first of the several beers I tried while in Maui. Pours a hazy golden color with very little head. Sweet fruity tasting with a touch of bitter hops. Not overly flavorful but there's enough there to be a refreshing brew. I did however feel it was a little too sweet and could have used more hop flavor. Still pretty good in that Hawaiian sun, but what isn't?

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 20:22:52 | More by changeup45

TippySelenoid

Missouri

3/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a pint glass.

This beer is hazy gold with a white head.

It's aroma is faintly grainy. Not much to smell.

It's taste is also faint. It's grainy with a light amount hops.

It's a light bodied beer.

This is easy to drink a ton of. It's totally unchallenging and mediocre and highly forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 22:23:40 | More by TippySelenoid

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.03/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

16 oz draft on-tap in a weizen glass at Bubba Gump's Maui.

Golden-copper in colour and hazy. Off-white head is 1/8 inch when it first arrives, but receds to a thin ring around the edge.

Light malt and caramel with Pacific North West (citrus/grapefruit) hops in the aroma.

Smooth with a bit of a tart bite. Refreshing on a hot Maui afternoon. Hop profile is stronger up front and fades through to the finish. The caramel malt is most prominent in the middle with a tartness showing through at the end.

Medium bodied with moderate amounts of tiny pin prick carbonation.

Not bad, but not great. Still, a nice refreshing beverage on a hot day in the Pacific.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2007 23:36:27 | More by Noxious26

matjack85

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

12oz brown bottle with a freshness date stamped on it right on the bottom of the front label. The only thing I don't know is whether that's a born on date or an expiration date.

The beer poured a clear champaign color, sort of like gingerale gold. The half finger of white head dissipated quickly and there wasn't much lacing.

The beer has both a pleasantr hoppy smell as well as an unpleasant barnyard smell.

Well, well,well - what do we have here? A hop dominated blonde ale. Slightly bitter grapefriut/lemon flavor tempered with a kiss of sweet honey.

Light bodied with medium high carbonation.

It's alright, but I like my blonde ales to be fruitier and maltier.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 06:21:48 | More by matjack85

jhammerly

Nebraska

3.05/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A co-worker brought this back for me from Hawaii. An all right beer that would probably go down better in the summer months. A nice pour. The clean, white head was about two fingers thick. It sunk to a thin cap leaving lacing with each drink. Body is a hazy, straw color with a touch of orange. Sweet malty smell is very light with a whiff of citrus. Light to medium body with a sweet taste from the malt and light hops in the finish. Not too bad of a beer overall. Might have been better if I had it sooner - bottled on date is Feb.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2006 03:35:42 | More by jhammerly

Nesued

South Carolina

3.1/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Next-door neighbors vacationed in Hawaii and brought me back a 6-pack containing three of these. Many thanks, as I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get my hands on this any other way. Marked with a "pkgd on Apr 09 08" stamp on the neck.

Poured into a pilsner glass. Refrigerator temp.

Appearance - Yellow/Golden coloring with a slight haze. A one-inch head formed upon initial pour. As it settled, a nice lacing retained to the glass. A more than ample ring remained, fed by the faint small carbonation. Does look inviting.

Smell - Malty/grassy nose. Mild aroma that didn't expand much beyond the glass. I also catch the sent of cloves and also a bit of a fruit aroma as well.

Taste - some malt, some wheat/grain flavoring as well. A sweet brew with an almost pear/apple finish. Didn't catch much of a hop presence at all.

Mouthfeel - I was suprised at to how thick it was to the tongue. My intial thoughts were that it would be a mild/weak body. Not the case. Lasting presence as well.

Drinkability - Not sure. This almost had the feel of a wheat beer to me. A lot of flavors going one coupled with mild hop presence may make this a favorate with the malty "lawnmower beer" crowd.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2008 22:28:27 | More by Nesued

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.1/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Year round. The waves that roll onto Hawaiian beaches are some of the best in the world. Catch the crest of a breaking wave and ride it all the way in. Our sun-drenched big wave golden is a smooth, refreshing brew. Inspired by what makes Hawaii great. Kona's Big Wave Golden Ale is brewed in the style of an American Blonde Ale, and is the final year-round bottle release to make it to the east coast. Manufacturing date on the bottle is August 01 2012.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to my Kona pint glass. Served above 42º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a cream white head of a thin consistency over a pale golden-yellow body with mild carbonation presence. A slight haziness is visible from a cloud of sediment in suspension as well as the presence of occasional pulpy flesh here and there. Lacing is thin and head quality is of little fascination either. It's very predictable for a golden ale, but that doesn't mean it can't improve the way it presents itself. 3.25

(Smell) Heavy emphasis on citrus fruit, with notes of grapefruit and orange, possibly from a bright hop addition, which is notable in the aroma. Pale malts are not the forward aspect of the aroma. A very inviting and clean aroma. 4

(Taste) Sweetness is underutilized. The hop presence with citrus is very tea-like, with little malt body to balance it out. Therefore, it's a bit high on bitterness. Citrus is also disappointingly shallow, with a more musty lemongrass and pale hop character than anticipated. Flavor is a bit shallow throughout. It's not gross by any means, but the lack of a sweet profile really drags the drinkability down, and makes for a thin profile with a limited flavor. Reminds me at times of watered-down green tea. 2.75

(Mouthfeel) Carbonation is fuzzy with a touch of cream. Balance is slightly less sweet than anticipated, mild dry finish with a mild hop bitterness. Body is light for the style, light overall. Carbonation is right, but the body is very shallow and should be a notch higher to reach a desirable balance. 3

(Overall) Low on sweetness. Reminds me at times of a light ale. Quite drinkable like water and tea might be, but not very enjoyable like a more substantial beer should be. Much of the fix would be made with a fuller malt profile, although a brighter-flavored hop flavor would also have made the flavor desirable. Until then, this is merely a drinkable but not particularly enjoyable golden ale. 3

Kona Brewing Company's
Big Wave Golden Ale
/5.00

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 23:10:22 | More by Jadjunk

July2Nov

Hawaii

3.13/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Yep it's golden alright. Minimal head on it w/ a nice clean lace to it.
S: Nice sweet, buttery and apple-like.
T&M: It's hoppy with a dry finnish. Has a slight sweet citrius flavor that rounds it out.
D: This would be a good summer brew or during any hot time of the month, since the whole global warming thing is upon us. I could drink a pitcher of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2007 01:44:54 | More by July2Nov

atigerlife

Hawaii

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Kona brewpub in Kona.

Poured a golden/orange color with a medium white head that had decent lasting power.

Aroma was quite light with some citrus [orange] coming through.

Taste was of light hops and fruity. Not really much there.

Mouthfeel was light bodied, smooth and lightly cleansing.

Overall, a very drinkable beer [not much to offend]. Decent, but nothing I'd go out of my way to have again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2006 07:51:02 | More by atigerlife

Prufrock

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

deep golden with a bit of orange. a touch of haze and a thin layer of white head that is gone almost instantly.

decent aroma; slightly metallic, but with a honey-like sweetness. slightly fruity, maybe some melons or citrus.

flavor is delicate, bordering on watery. light feel with a medium carbonation, but has a nice gentle sweetness. gentle honey maltiness, with a fairly clean finish. very drinkable, but could use a bit more heft to the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2007 01:49:01 | More by Prufrock

ThreeWiseMen

California

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled on June 2, 2010 at 6:45am (early!), making this beer only a month and a half old. Nice!

Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Standard pour yielded a small, loose, white head that completely fizzled away in seconds. Body is clear and pale gold with no visible carbonation. A quick swirl reinvigorates the head, but only temporarily. This beer has zero head retention. No lacing to speak of either, but that's not too surprising for a blonde ale.

Smell: Sweet, clean grains and lemon rind are the first aromas I get. Following further inspection, I get leafy vegetation and faint alcohol. A little boring, but certainly suits the style.

Taste: Grainy and toasty, with grassy hops forming a surprisingly bitter finish, for the style anyway. Whole grain cracker (like whole grain bread, but with a touch of salt) is the most distinct flavor component. Not as sweet as I had hoped or expected, though the hoppy bitterness sort of makes up for it; I'd rather have a more balanced blonde though.

Mouthfeel: Actively carbonated, chewy, and light-bodied. Sturdy bitterness adds to the mix, and lends to a fairly pleasant, long-lasting aftertaste. Lots of good stimulation for such a light ale! Carbonation could be toned down just a bit, but I dig this mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Easy-going and inoffensive. Actually got better toward the end of the bottle, but it was still forgettable. This is a good purchase for a summer barbecue or similar outdoor gathering.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2010 05:49:12 | More by ThreeWiseMen

Braz

Washington

3.2/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crystal clear vibrant gold color with a one inch white head. Head disappears rather quickly leaving a thin lace. Smells of faint floral and grapefruit notes. Taste is very delicate with a very subtle sweetness. Mild fruit/citrus flavor. I didn't pick up much hop flavor but the aroma is there. Easy drinking, reps the style well. Smooth light body.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 07:04:47 | More by Braz