Kona Big Wave 12Pk

Kona Big Wave 12Pk is a 12-pack of the gold medal-winning Hawaiian golden ale brewed by Kona Brewing at 4.4% ABV. Brewed on Hawaii's Big Island with Citra and Galaxy hops plus volcanic-filtered water, Big Wave earned a Gold Medal at the Great International Beer & Cider Competition and has amassed over 524,000 ratings on Untappd.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4%  |  Origin: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii  |  Style: Golden Ale  |  Brewery: Kona Brewing Hawaii (PV Brewing Partners)

Production & Heritage

Kona Brewing was founded in 1994 in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii and has operated under PV Brewing Partners since September 2020. Big Wave is built on a grain bill of pale 2-row premium malts and caramel 20 malts, hopped with Galaxy and Citra varieties known for their intense tropical and citrus aromatics. What truly distinguishes this golden ale is its water source: Hawaiian groundwater filtered through ancient volcanic aquifer rock, which requires a specialized water recovery system to remove naturally occurring salts before brewing.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Mild hop aromatics lead with pineapple and passion fruit, followed by subtle floral and herbal notes. A faint caramel sweetness rounds out the nose without heaviness.

Taste: The entry is clean and bright, with light tropical fruit — mango and pineapple — giving way to a gentle citrus-grapefruit character at mid-palate. A touch of honey-like sweetness from the caramel malt balances the tangy hop fruitiness, keeping the body smooth and approachable at 4.4% ABV.

Finish: Short to medium, crisp, and dry with lingering citrus peel and a whisper of toasted grain. The low bitterness fades cleanly, inviting another sip.

How to Drink Big Wave

Big Wave is best served cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a shaker pint glass to release hop aromatics. Its light body and restrained bitterness also make it a strong base for beer cocktails. A Michelada works well here because the citrus hop character complements lime juice and hot sauce without clashing. A Shandy pairs the tropical profile with fresh lemonade for a low-ABV warm-weather drink. A Beergarita — blending Big Wave with frozen margarita mix — leans into the mango and pineapple notes for a Hawaiian-inflected twist.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard barbecues and beach days
• Introducing craft beer to friends who prefer lighter styles
• Pairing with grilled seafood at a summer cookout
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing 12-pack to a potluck or tailgate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Big Wave taste like? Big Wave is a clean, easy-drinking golden ale with tropical fruit flavors — pineapple, mango, and light grapefruit — balanced by a subtle caramel malt sweetness and minimal bitterness.

How does Big Wave compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Both are widely available, approachable beers, but Big Wave is a golden ale hopped with Citra and Galaxy for tropical fruit notes, while Blue Moon is a Belgian-style wheat beer brewed with Valencia orange peel and coriander for a spicier, citrus-forward character. Big Wave is slightly lower in ABV at 4.4% compared to Blue Moon's 5.4%, making it a lighter session option.

Is Big Wave good for beginners? Yes — its low 4.4% ABV, gentle hop bitterness, and bright fruit-forward flavor make Big Wave one of the most accessible craft golden ales available, appealing to drinkers transitioning from mainstream lagers.

Where is Big Wave made? Big Wave is brewed by Kona Brewing Hawaii in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, using water naturally filtered through the island's volcanic aquifer rock.

What foods pair well with Big Wave? Grilled mahi-mahi or shrimp tacos match its tropical character; poke bowls echo the Hawaiian origin; lighter fare like a citrus-dressed arugula salad mirrors the grapefruit notes; and spicy Thai noodles benefit from the ale's clean, cooling finish.

What sizes does Big Wave come in? Big Wave is commonly available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans or bottles, as well as 6-packs and single cans depending on market availability.

Is Big Wave worth the price? Big Wave positions as an accessible craft golden ale priced competitively within the everyday craft tier, and its gold medal pedigree and distinctive Hawaiian-water brewing process deliver notable quality for the category.

Why Big Wave?

Big Wave stands apart from other golden ales primarily because of its raw materials: volcanic aquifer-filtered Hawaiian water and a dual-hop combination of Galaxy and Citra that loads the beer with tropical aromatics uncommon at this ABV. The Gold Medal from the Great International Beer & Cider Competition validates what the massive Untappd community of over half a million raters already affirmed — this is a reliable, well-made session ale. At 4.4%, it sits in a sweet spot where flavor doesn't sacrifice drinkability, making the 12-pack format practical for extended afternoons without fatigue. For a golden ale rooted in genuine island provenance rather than marketing mythology, Big Wave remains a benchmark.