February 20, 2013 – Kona Brewing Co. Longboard Island Lager
Carve the waves of my taste buds, dude.
`Okole maluna! Bottoms up, as tonight’s beer is Kona Brewing Company’s Longboard Island Lager. Now, those of you who are fellow coffee fanatics may recognize the name Kona – it’s a region in Hawai’i that is known for extremely high quality coffee, such that the coffee farmers of the area are willing to sue people to protect their image. In the nineties, a man in California was sued for wire fraud for selling South American coffee labeled as Kona. Coffee is serious business, folks, don’t fuck around with it.
Similarly speaking, beer is serious business. Many anthropologists suggest that beer is the reason humanity developed agriculture, which led to the rise of civilization as we know it, which has more or less culminated in the internet, which is how you’re reading my review of this beer in the first place. Hooray, beer.
Now, the bottle I poured had been sitting on a shelf since sometime in September, so your mileage may vary as far as my review goes, but I found the head to be flat and unappealing when poured, with the body having roughly the coloration of ginger ale. Very faint nose, with a little grain and wheat and not much else.
I was pleasantly surprised by the taste, having been led to believe by the scent that this would be an unexceptional beer. It starts with a shock of sweetness, and develops into something more earthy and complex as you get further in. It’s not a world class beer, but not something I’d turn down either. If this is handed to you at a party, I can confidently say that it’s better than most macros out there, though not up to the higher standards that many of us have developed.
I’d imagine this beer would be better enjoyed at the brewery in Hawai’i, though I was disappointed ot find that this batch was actually brewed in New Hampshire. If you get a chance to try the Imperial Stouts or IPAs by this brewery, definitely jump on that, as I’ve heard very good things.
Until next time, ke Akua pu a hui hou, & malama pono!
Posted on February 20, 2013, in Uncategorized and tagged average, bottled, enjoyed at home, Hawai'i, lager. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
I personally boycott Kona now, because they are almost 40% owned by Anheiser-Busch as part of Craft Brewers Alliance. I don’t purchase any beers that are owned or partially owned by Anheiser Busch or Miller-Coors, because they are trying to keep real craft breweries out of your local stores and bars by buying up breweries like Kona. that being said, I have had this one before, and it’s nothing special – much better than your standard macro lager, as you mentioned, but that’s about it. I bet it tasted like crap if it had been sitting on the shelf since September. For lagers, you should review Cigar City Hotter than Helles or Florida Lager.
No worries there man, I plan on reviewing a lot of cigar city stuff. I didn’t know anheuser Busch had their fingers in this one. Avoiding them is like trying to avoid breathing sometimes.