Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
This luxury item from Kona Brewing has been on offer since December of last year and though the price is 2k, I would say that it is one of the better swag ideas that I have seen. It is a natural fit with beer, especially Kona beers.
It doesn’t land in the Not column and is not really needed but is at least useful and fun.
Kona Brewing Company has added a blonde ale to their Aloha Series if beers. But to spice things up they are adding lemongrass, which led to Lemongrass Luau. The Aloha series features seasonal craft brews made with island-inspired ingredients.
I have never been to a proper Luau or Hawaii for that matter but a light (5%) beer with a touch of spice could really work with not only a be-appled pig but whatever feast you are in the mood for.
Usually distribution patterns are either growing or hyper local. In the case of the new Kona Brewing beer, Magic Sands. It is only in Florida and California (well, and I assume Hawaii too) The new brew is a traditional farmhouse style ale that blends Hawaiian fruit (Keitt mangoes) with the less traditional than Belgian, French Saison yeast to create a mash-up that all includes Millennium, Hallertauer and Citra hops too.
I have been a little harsh on fruit IPA’s but I think a mango Saison would actually amplify flavors.
I get the occasional media sample of beers. Most don’t come stuffed inside a volleyball however. But Kona Brewing has always been creative with their packages.
You may have to reach back in your data bank but Castaway (the movie) featured Tom Hanks and a volleyball named Wilson. Castaway (the IPA) features Galaxy, Citra, Simcoe and Milenium hops.
It pours a bright orange. Very tropical on the nose. Pineapple and mango mainly. The taste is light with a hint of wheat. There is still a nice bit of bitterness amidst the fruit punch notes. There is a good amount of bubbles and a minor hint of spice as well.
This beer was free but I would gladly pay for it on tap. It is fruity and fun and delivers the Citra which I love without being muddled by competing hops.
It’s not everyday that you get a hollowed out volleyball with two beers in it. But Kona Brewing has always been a bit creative with their beers.
And for some reason, they don’t get much craft love because they are part of a bigger umbrella brewing concern but they make solid beers that need to be appreciated on their own merits.
Castaway IPA pours a light orange color with a a bit of a foamy head that evaporates quickly. The aroma is fairly light as well. Some citrus with hints of bitterness to come.
The taste is pretty light on the IPA scale. I would call this more XPA or if current vogue is standard then Session IPA. Heavy on the grain taste. Which I like. Some faint citrus notes and a medium hit of hops to round it out. Not thin by any means, but lighter in body for sure.
This certainly is more Hawaiian to me even though I have never been. It just has a tropical, sun up in the sky sort of flavor. I wish it had more Citra or something to name it fruitier, hop wise but this is another straightforward and tasty beer.
Our first review of the themeless April beer reviews is Longboard Island lager from Kona Brewing Company.
What the brewery says, “Longboard Island Lager is a smooth refreshing lager fermented and aged for five weeks at cold temperatures to yield its exceptionally smooth flavor. A delicate, slightly spicy hop aroma complements the malty body of this beer.”
Coming soon (depending on your market’s thirst for beer), you might be seeing some beers you are used to seeing in bottles in canned versions.
1) “Kona Brewing Company has announced plans to offer its flagship Longboard Island Lager in 12-ounce cans, which are scheduled to hit shelves mid-March 2012. All Kona markets will receive Longboard cans, including the newest markets of Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.”
2) Sierra Nevada has been Facebooking it’s pale ale progress towards cans too.
3) Evil Twin Brewing will release its first beer in cans in 2012. Hipster Ale and Bikini Beer will be first up. Brewing will happen in South Carolina (North Carolina is probably too busy) It will be part of the Twelve Percent Import line.
Here are some photos from the release party of the new Kona Brewing beer, Koko brown named after (and seen in the label) a distinctive part of Hawaii.
