Big Wave Golden Ale - Kona Brewing Co.

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass. Grabbed in a mix a six.

Pours golden clear with fluffy white foam. good head. Pilsy smell. Clean uncomplicated. Light line of hop woven throughout. Smooth. Just a mellow, run of the mill blonde ale. Nothing remarkable or offensive.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 10:12:45 | More by KTCamm

Vixie

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a straw yellow color with a small white head.

Smell is mainly malt and yeast.

A lot of malt up front, as well as yeast. Has a bit of floral hops at the finish to keep things balanced.

Ok feel, a touch watery, has a lot of carbonation.

A decent beer, but nothing really stands out. Easy to drink, would be nice on a hot day. I am hoping to try more from Kona, now that they are available in my area.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:56:12 | More by Vixie

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.29/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Clear, golden pale yellow sunshine color. Nice two finger head after the pour. Strong film o' foam for all twelve ounces. Nice bubbling too.

Clean, yet faintly unmalted grain and water cracker aroma. Hints of grass and maybe lemon, plus a pilsner like musk.

Clean and astringent palate from start to finish. Clean hops then somewhat musky and earthy hops on the finish. Malts taste faintly toasted, raw, and crackery all at the same time.

This beer is easy to drink, maybe just a little too earthy/musky for me. Its a pilsner, let its an ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 15:30:39 | More by scruffwhor

StJamesGate

New York

3.29/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Honey blonde with loose silvery white froth like sparkling wine.
Clean fresh cut grain with hints of white sugar, waxy rind and flowers.
Honey and melon, some husky grain in the middle, and faint floral hops. Lemon peel as it warms.
Grassy finish and sour linger.
Thin, flaccid, tinny, some stick.

Neither the malty depth of an English blonde nor the hop bit of an American. Throws lager shapes, but even ice cold it's hard to picture this one as a quencher.

Actively unpleasant.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 21:28:06 | More by StJamesGate

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had on tap at the brewpub on Oahu. I wasn't really all that impressed, maybe I shouldn't have had it at the same dinner where I tried some of their other, more fine, offerings. The blond ale looked like a pilsner, smelled a little malty, and tasted kind of bitter. Not my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2006 01:09:01 | More by TurdFurgison

Prostman81

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Blonde ales aren't usually my thing, but this was the default choice when compared to the BMC lineup at a restaurant while staying in Oahu.

Was having a bunch of seafood for dinner, and thought this would be a nice matchup & palate cleanser.

Nothing too out of the ordinary here. Typical blonde ale appearance, not much of a hop note on the nose. Good mouthfeel though, and definitely provided way more body than the usualy Am. adjunct lager. I don't have any complaints here though, if you are looking for a light tasting beer but still want some flavor and character, this would be a decent choice.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 21:25:37 | More by Prostman81

mactrail

California

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Bright yellow beer in the Duvel tulip. A modest head that subsides fairly rapidly. Slight tanginess, but the taste is more of club soda carbonation.

A subtle, but tantalizing, aroma of hops. Not much malt in the flavor, or much hops either, but it's a standard, clean beery taste. This could be recommended as an inoffensive quaff, but it is pretty well devoid of interest, even for the Blonde category.

From the 12 oz bottle bought at Ralph's Supermarket in San Clemente.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 03:25:13 | More by mactrail

output01x

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. capped bottle (Bottled JAN 05 12) into a pint glass.

A strong pour yields a 1-finger cream colored head that fades to a thin dusting and thin foam ring in a couple minutes. The body is a perfectly clear golden straw with a light amount of lazy carbonation bubbles. Some light lacing can be seen temporarily clinging to the sides of the glass throughout consumption but never adhere too long.

The nose is not the strongest my nostrils have dug into but it is pleasant and rather well-balanced. Sweet, biscuity malts lay the groundwork for citrusy and grassy hops. Notes of orange peel and papaya are detectable but distant.

Light and sweet malts start each sip along with flavors of pine and citrus hops. Swallowing the beer releases more of the hops flavors carrying notes of pine needles, freshly cut grass, lemon rind, and grapefruit. As these flavors fade, a mellow orange flavor develops and is soon met by a slight grassy bitterness. An orange sherbert aftertaste persists between sips.

Light bodied with moderate carbonation, this beer crisp, clean, and refreshing (sound familiar?). The body is light enough to make this both a warm spring night sipper as well as a hot summer day gulper. The carbonation is only slightly fizzy and really helps this beer's drinkability (especially during the swallow).

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 01:44:32 | More by output01x

Atlas1

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My wife recently went to Hawaii and brought back a mixed sixer of Kona beers for me to sample. I was excited because we can't get these beers in Washington, DC. Bottle reads "packaged on Dec. 18, '06."

Pours a dense golden apricot color with a one-finger head that thins out quickly, leaving a nice looking film over the whole beer. The aroma is muted but malty. Not much hop character here. Maybe some pear, but not much fruit either. Tastes much the same. Muted and malty with a strong yeasty flavor too. Malty sweetness up front with a mellow, smooth finish. Not an overwhelming beer here, and not one I'll actively seek out when on the west coast in the future. But a good enough session beer that I would not turn my nose up at it either. Aloha.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2007 15:49:18 | More by Atlas1

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.38/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, a buddy brought some island brews back for me on a recent trip to Hawaii. Served in a Sam Adams BL glass, the beer pours a hazy light gold color with about a half inch white head which went away quickly. Lacing is average. The aroma is light, it smells like bready malt, honey, and a bit of fruit. The taste is exactly the same as the aroma, I can taste the bit of fruitiness in this beer but I can't figure out exactly what kind of fruit it is. Mouthfeel/body is light/medium, it seems a bit slick with decent carbonation. It's still light, but had more substance than I expected. Drinkability is decent, it's not hard to drink at all. Not a bad brew, but it's not my favorite of the Kona beers I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2010 01:42:23 | More by bluejacket74

rawfish

California

3.38/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A golden body, very clear with a small cap of white fizzy stuff. Barely any lacing as retention isn't considered.

Corn, pale grain ,stale bread and a small amount of herbal hops and underlying berry and macintosh apple fruitiness.

Pale grains, lightly bready and some sweet corn. Sweetness increases as it warms. Very faint herbal hops on the back end notes of pine and lemon citrus with a bit of snappy crispness on the back end.

Moderate carbonation with a medium body for a blonde ale. Finishes crisp, not bitter but gets a little sticky as the beer warms.

A decent beer, boring in some places but I can see this being very refreshing on a summer day. Better beers out there but not a bad blonde.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 03:16:43 | More by rawfish

nickfl

Florida

3.4/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - pours with one finger of white foam on top of a clear, golden body. The head settles quickly and leaves little lace.

S - sweet, grainy malt with just a hint of herbal hops.

T - clean malt up front with a hint of corn in the middle and some herbal hops and moderate bitterness in the finish.

M - medium thick body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - clean and drinkable, not bad for what it is but still not really worth drinking.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 04:11:51 | More by nickfl

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A - Bright golden yellow hue in color (obviously) with a 1/4 inch of white head.
S - Smells of mild hops, pilsner malts, and some bready yeasts.
T - Simple yet not offensive it's far from tasty. Mild hops and bready malts with a touch of fruity yeasts.
M - Not very watery which was surprising for 4%. Drank with a light to medium body though.

Overall this is just a filler review since I got a bottle best by August 2012 yet it wasn't offensive or skunked. I bet fresh this beer would be... something.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 01:17:40 | More by DrDemento456

kylehay2004

Florida

3.45/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Half finger head but nice lacing on a clear golden body. Aroma of wheat, grains, tropical fruit with a slight floral note. Flavor also has a nice balance of tropical fruit and wheat/grains with bready notes. The fruit lingers nicely without being too sweet. light to medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Lease a bit of a sandy feel on the palate in the aftertaste. Nice drinkable beer. More complex than I expected. A nice one to try.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 21:40:03 | More by kylehay2004

Zorro

California

3.48/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear golden ale as advertised with a small white head that doesn't hang around.

Smell is a surprise, this is seriously hopped and smells strongly of hops the moment you pop the top off. Strong tropical hop aromas it smells strongly of pineapple and passion fruit. Pine and citrus are present. Malt is light soda crackers.

Starts out neutral malt and slightly sweet without a big bitterness hit. Wheat biscuit malt flavor with a subtle tropical hop flavor. High mineral water slightly sweet with a mild passion fruit flavor.

Mouthfeel is light pretty much what you want in a beer of this type.

Overall an interesting beer with a shockingly good aroma. P{pretty much this is a thirst quenching beer made to be pleasant but not win any awards. I can see drinking this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 01:37:01 | More by Zorro

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.48/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a lighter golden color with a two finger white head. The head has a decent retention but eventually fades to give a nice amount of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is light overall with some bready and malty notes as well as a lighter citrus hop aroma. Mixed with these aromas is a lighter floral hop aroma as well.

Taste – The taste begins with a lighter biscuit and wheat flavor. Some citrus hop then comes to the tongue. It is slightly sweeter and mainly of an orange flavor with some hints of lemon. These flavors take the taste to the end where they combined with some light floral and herbal hop flavors.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer s very light with a carbonation level that is on the average to above average side. Both are quite good for making a very crisp and drinkable beer.

Overall – Rather refreshing and easy drinking. While it is not huge on the flavor profile, it does make for a decent session style brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 01:09:33 | More by Darkmagus82

mrkrispy

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this at a bar in Lahaina walking around doing tourist stuff.

Poured a very light golden color. Moderate fizz.

Aromas of....carbon dioxide, slight malt.

Very light body, clean aftertaste from the carbonation. Malts are subdued but heavier than I expected for a Gold. Balanced with hops fairly well, slight lingering bitterness. Mild hop aroma that I can't make out over the malt. Very smooth and clean.

Good for a hot day. If you are in Hawaii and just want a local brew go for the Fire Rock Pale Ale first.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2008 18:01:13 | More by mrkrispy

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this a few times on Maui in lieu of the lager and found it a simple refreshing ale that hits the spot when it is warm or you are getting the grill going on the Lanai. The hops are there but this not the focus of this beer. I got bored after a couple in that I wanted more complexity but still worth drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2012 23:53:44 | More by canucklehead

Halcyondays

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours golden with a medium white head, solid lace.

S: Biscuity grain, some English peas, and white grapes.

T: Nice pils malt style flavour, some grassy hops, golden raisins and some citrus.

M: Light-bodied, crisp, creamy, frothy.

O: A solid blonde ale, good flavour, refreshing. Pretty inexpensive so worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 03:55:26 | More by Halcyondays

PorterLambic

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, golden color with an off-white head. Decent, in fact, pretty good head retention. Some scattered lacing is left behind.
Smell is a little malt, wheat, hops and citrus blended well together. It gets better as it warms, though.
Taste is pretty much the same. Notes of malt, citrus & evergreen from the hops, slight caramel. Again, the flavor gets better as it warms. In fact, I would suggest waiting 10-15 minutes before starting.
Medium body, carbonation is tart at the start but fades fairly quickly. It's a pretty innocuous beer, a good step in the correct direction away from mega-lagers. Nothing special but at least some flavor and a more restrained hop profile.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 22:38:46 | More by PorterLambic

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

dated aug of 12. consumed oct. of 12.

A: Pale orange with a bright clarity and only a whisper of effervesce. The head was slight, creamy with a light tan coloring displaying a short to moderate retention rate. Minimal splashes of lacing on the vessel.

S: Sweet tropical fruitiness, a mixture of oranges, fresh pineapple and mangos. Sweet and perfuny delivery.

T: Flavor of tropical fruitiness of oranges and pineapples, mangos. Sugary grain sweetness, smooth tropical golden ale. Touches of fruity spice hoppiness and fresh greenery is gentle and complimentary to the fruit based nature.

M: Creamy buttery texture in the mouthful. No carbonation felt, light and refreshing.

O: Overall a beach/poolside refreshment. Tropical hints well suited per locale environment, easy going, well balanced and makes for a easy tropical refresher on a hot hawian summer.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 01:00:56 | More by beerthulhu

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

not a bad golden ale, if a bit bland and generic, its plenty easy drinking. pours perfectly clear golden in color with gently rising bubbles and an inch of white foam that is gone in a few minutes but can be riled back up consistently. the nose is peachy, not sure if its intentional or an off essence, but I personally like it, pale malt profile and a bready ale yeast. the flavor hints of some mild hops up front, but its washed out quick by a big wave (pun intended) of neutral malt flavors that are just on the verge of sweet. finish isn't as clean as the longboard lager, but still pretty quick. not too exciting, but certainly not offensive at all. my dad would love this as a Molson drinker. carbonation is a little light for the style, and the body is super light. its an all day beer with the super low abv and general pleasantness. not something ill seek out again, but a beer that id be more than happy to quaff on the Hawaiian shores.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:04:24 | More by StonedTrippin

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Kona Big Wave

Ontap, a hazed straw yellow with a soapy white froth and little in the way of lace. Aroma of yeast, citrus and a faint flowery hop. Well balanced brew with notes of lemon, hay, grains and a little earthy hop presence. Fairly refreshing and very easy to drink. Overall I could definately drink a few of these.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2011 03:26:50 | More by Stinkypuss

TheSixthRing

California

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a clear, brilliant golden yellow with a white, finger width head. Decent retention, the resulting lace is thin but consistent, and displays good stick.

Smell - Citrus notes are most prevalent; lemon and a touch of orange. Pineapple. Faint bready malts play off in the background.

Taste - What's presented on the nose is reversed on the tongue. Mostly big malt notes upfront, grain and honeyed bread. Hops come in a little firmer on the back end, with citrus and a touch of grass. The finish is quick, with a touch of lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Very light in body with fizzy carbonation; seltzer water-like quality.

Overall - Fantastic smell, decent flavor, but a poor body... still, if they made this the summer release over the Wailua Wheat, I wouldn't shed a tear.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 03:42:46 | More by TheSixthRing

BMan1113VR

California

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

On tap. Nice aroma. Appearance is a golden color covered by a White creamy head with great lacing, very nice for a Hawaiian brew. Aroma is nice and flavor is refreshing but watery and thin body. Great way to start off my Hawaiian [Beer] Trip. Aloha!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2008 16:48:08 | More by BMan1113VR