Big Wave Golden Ale
Kona Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Blonde Ale - American
Ranked #359 - ABV:
- 4.4%
- Score:
- 81
Ranked #44,312 - Avg:
- 3.58 | pDev: 14.25%
- Reviews:
- 415
- Ratings:
- From:
- Kona Brewing Co.
- Hawaii, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 67
- Gots
- 909
SCORE
81
Good
81
Good
Notes:
Big Wave is light golden ale with a subtle fruitiness and delicate hop aroma. A smooth, easy drinking refreshing ale. The lightly roasted honey malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer and also gives a slight sweetness that is balanced out by our special blend of hops.
20 IBU
20 IBU
Reviews: 415
| Ratings: 2,219
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TedHead from Illinois
3.67/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a beautiful golden color with a white head that dissipates rather quickly. Smells like a sweet roasted cracker malt along with hints of caramel. Taste is a nice toasty malt and somewhat biscuity with a small amount of hop bitterness on the finish. The feel is rather carbonated but compliments the beer well. This one goes down very easily and overall pretty solid.
Today at 02:32 AM
3.67/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a beautiful golden color with a white head that dissipates rather quickly. Smells like a sweet roasted cracker malt along with hints of caramel. Taste is a nice toasty malt and somewhat biscuity with a small amount of hop bitterness on the finish. The feel is rather carbonated but compliments the beer well. This one goes down very easily and overall pretty solid.
Today at 02:32 AM
Steve555 from Wales
3.75/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Light gold body, large white head. Aroma slight hint of honey and a little floral. Taste is quite malty with a fruity hop finish. It is quite a light bodied with medium to high carbonation and leaves a slight lingering bitterness. Not a fan of blond ales generally but I liked this enough due to it's lightness and pleasant lightly hopped taste.
Yesterday at 09:33 PM
3.75/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Light gold body, large white head. Aroma slight hint of honey and a little floral. Taste is quite malty with a fruity hop finish. It is quite a light bodied with medium to high carbonation and leaves a slight lingering bitterness. Not a fan of blond ales generally but I liked this enough due to it's lightness and pleasant lightly hopped taste.
Yesterday at 09:33 PM
BubbleBobble from New York
3.37/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From bottle.
L: Rich golden yellow, one inch of white head that fades to a solid ring, no retention.
S: Bit of (skunked) hops initially; bready sweet banana as it warms
T: Sweetness follows the nose; bit of yeast, no hop bitterness
F: Moderate mouthfeel and carbonation
O: East drinking, but not too memorable
Jul 18, 2020
3.37/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From bottle.
L: Rich golden yellow, one inch of white head that fades to a solid ring, no retention.
S: Bit of (skunked) hops initially; bready sweet banana as it warms
T: Sweetness follows the nose; bit of yeast, no hop bitterness
F: Moderate mouthfeel and carbonation
O: East drinking, but not too memorable
Jul 18, 2020
smbslt from Illinois
3.14/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Clear and golden with a tight head white head that is amply resupplied by the healthy stream of carbonation being released.
Too little aroma to comment on.
Mild tasting and smooth but lacking depth.
Easy drinker.
Jun 21, 2020
3.14/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Clear and golden with a tight head white head that is amply resupplied by the healthy stream of carbonation being released.
Too little aroma to comment on.
Mild tasting and smooth but lacking depth.
Easy drinker.
Jun 21, 2020
GaryT2 from Minnesota
4.15/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Got 2mos old 6 bottles as a gift. Brewed under license in Colorado. It tasted a bit citrus without my lemon or lime. A 3lb cold water largemouth was beer battered along with same onion rings and enhanced hard
Boiled eggs on Reser's egg potato salad. Quick, fast and delicious. Gotta get more Kona beer.
Jun 19, 2020
4.15/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Got 2mos old 6 bottles as a gift. Brewed under license in Colorado. It tasted a bit citrus without my lemon or lime. A 3lb cold water largemouth was beer battered along with same onion rings and enhanced hard
Boiled eggs on Reser's egg potato salad. Quick, fast and delicious. Gotta get more Kona beer.
Jun 19, 2020
Profundobaso from New York
3.68/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Look - 12 oz bottle, poured into a standard pint glass. Light golden in color, clear, big frothy head with plenty of lacing retention: the looks of a good blonde ale.
Smell - clean. malts, light honey-like sweetness, and light floral hops. Everything is quite subtle
Taste - clean, as suggested by the smell. malt forward in taste, complemented by a very slight hoppy bitterness and a very clean finish.
Feel - light bodied, high carbonation, and low ABV at 4.4%.
Overall - despite the light flavor and booze content, blonde ales are my preferred light beer over most light lagers for the stronger malt flavor. While light, this beer represents the style appropriately.
Jun 11, 2020
3.68/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Look - 12 oz bottle, poured into a standard pint glass. Light golden in color, clear, big frothy head with plenty of lacing retention: the looks of a good blonde ale.
Smell - clean. malts, light honey-like sweetness, and light floral hops. Everything is quite subtle
Taste - clean, as suggested by the smell. malt forward in taste, complemented by a very slight hoppy bitterness and a very clean finish.
Feel - light bodied, high carbonation, and low ABV at 4.4%.
Overall - despite the light flavor and booze content, blonde ales are my preferred light beer over most light lagers for the stronger malt flavor. While light, this beer represents the style appropriately.
Jun 11, 2020
1009 from Massachusetts
2.84/5 rDev -20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
They say you’ll always be attached to your first — such is the case for this “liquid aloha”, whose notes of citrus and flora somehow take me back to the beaches of O’ahu, even though I’ve never actually been there. Don’t let the lighter gold tint fool you, this ale is deceivingly bold. While “aloha” means love, affection, and peace, it too can mean “farewell”, which, due to the faint lingering bitterness, is what I have to say to this Kona brew after no more than 2 or 3 of them... and that’s okay.
May 12, 2020
2.84/5 rDev -20.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
They say you’ll always be attached to your first — such is the case for this “liquid aloha”, whose notes of citrus and flora somehow take me back to the beaches of O’ahu, even though I’ve never actually been there. Don’t let the lighter gold tint fool you, this ale is deceivingly bold. While “aloha” means love, affection, and peace, it too can mean “farewell”, which, due to the faint lingering bitterness, is what I have to say to this Kona brew after no more than 2 or 3 of them... and that’s okay.
May 12, 2020
just1cho from California
2.69/5 rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
*Poured into a Teku glass from a 12oz bottle*
Had a predictably clear pale straw color. But I was disappointed that it didn't have much of a head and had little to no retention on it.
I primarily got a lot of fruity esters from it. Definitely reminding me of tropical fruits, maybe lychee. There was also a vague lemon aroma to it, but it wasn't very pronounced.
As for the taste, I felt that this was very lacking. It was quite watery and tasteless. It had vague notes of malty sweetness and a vague fruitiness in the back, but other than that the taste was faint, almost non-existent and pretty disappointing.
Like the taste and the aroma, the feel of this beer felt a bit lacking. It was light bodied, but pretty flat and lacking in any carbonation. It had a crisp and refreshing finish, but other than that the feel of this was also pretty disappointing.
Overall, I wouldn't say this is a bad beer, but it's definitely below average. I don't think I would buy this again, but I'm glad I tried it at least once.
May 05, 2020
2.69/5 rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
*Poured into a Teku glass from a 12oz bottle*
Had a predictably clear pale straw color. But I was disappointed that it didn't have much of a head and had little to no retention on it.
I primarily got a lot of fruity esters from it. Definitely reminding me of tropical fruits, maybe lychee. There was also a vague lemon aroma to it, but it wasn't very pronounced.
As for the taste, I felt that this was very lacking. It was quite watery and tasteless. It had vague notes of malty sweetness and a vague fruitiness in the back, but other than that the taste was faint, almost non-existent and pretty disappointing.
Like the taste and the aroma, the feel of this beer felt a bit lacking. It was light bodied, but pretty flat and lacking in any carbonation. It had a crisp and refreshing finish, but other than that the feel of this was also pretty disappointing.
Overall, I wouldn't say this is a bad beer, but it's definitely below average. I don't think I would buy this again, but I'm glad I tried it at least once.
May 05, 2020
Burgz from Canada
4.21/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle with a manufactured date of January 22nd. Poured into a Pilsner glass. A nice easy pour with a one or so inch head and minimal lacing once the head dissipates.
Reminds me of tastes of citrus and other tropical fruits with slight hops. Very refreshing brew and nice and easy drinker. Had this while sitting on the balcony with the sun beating down, a definite summer brew.
May 03, 2020
4.21/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
12oz bottle with a manufactured date of January 22nd. Poured into a Pilsner glass. A nice easy pour with a one or so inch head and minimal lacing once the head dissipates.
Reminds me of tastes of citrus and other tropical fruits with slight hops. Very refreshing brew and nice and easy drinker. Had this while sitting on the balcony with the sun beating down, a definite summer brew.
May 03, 2020
realJohnnyHobo from Maryland
3.82/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Aloha means love, affection, and peace but is also used as a greeting and good for native Hawaiians. While 'aloha spirit' is even a chartered law which in itself reminds you to be a positive spirited individual; that said, Kona Brewing Co has maintained this way of life in every bottle by serving up "liquid aloha" as embossed on each glass.
Now a product of AB-InBev, Kona Brew still has control over the brewing process and styles coming from the brewery. One of my favorites being Big Wave.
Pouring a mildly agressive carbonated rich golden blonde color, a creamy two-finger head with retained lacing. You may be a bit shocked by the overwhelming aroma of hops, but don't worry this is a light-medium mouthfeel blonde ale with solid character.
Tasting notes include cracker, solid malt, no adjuncts are used or detectable. The character is mellow and only has a bit of a lingering bite in its finish.
Apr 06, 2020
3.82/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Aloha means love, affection, and peace but is also used as a greeting and good for native Hawaiians. While 'aloha spirit' is even a chartered law which in itself reminds you to be a positive spirited individual; that said, Kona Brewing Co has maintained this way of life in every bottle by serving up "liquid aloha" as embossed on each glass.
Now a product of AB-InBev, Kona Brew still has control over the brewing process and styles coming from the brewery. One of my favorites being Big Wave.
Pouring a mildly agressive carbonated rich golden blonde color, a creamy two-finger head with retained lacing. You may be a bit shocked by the overwhelming aroma of hops, but don't worry this is a light-medium mouthfeel blonde ale with solid character.
Tasting notes include cracker, solid malt, no adjuncts are used or detectable. The character is mellow and only has a bit of a lingering bite in its finish.
Apr 06, 2020
Buck89 from Tennessee
2.95/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.75
Pours a very clear golden color with a medium-size fluffy white head. Lightly carbonation in the glass. A strange aroma with plastic and a somewhat limited bready aspect, but hard to really articulate. Not much to the taste. Faint bready notes, and very faint floral and tropical notes. Very disappointing.
Feb 09, 2020
2.95/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.75
Pours a very clear golden color with a medium-size fluffy white head. Lightly carbonation in the glass. A strange aroma with plastic and a somewhat limited bready aspect, but hard to really articulate. Not much to the taste. Faint bready notes, and very faint floral and tropical notes. Very disappointing.
Feb 09, 2020
elnachooo from Spain
2.64/5 rDev -26.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Cerveza dorada con una pequeña cabeza espumosa de poca retención. Cuerpo y carbonatación media. Aroma a malta y afrutado pero no muy intenso. En boca es ligeramente amarga.
Jan 12, 2020
2.64/5 rDev -26.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Cerveza dorada con una pequeña cabeza espumosa de poca retención. Cuerpo y carbonatación media. Aroma a malta y afrutado pero no muy intenso. En boca es ligeramente amarga.
Jan 12, 2020
JonnoWillsteed from England
2.38/5 rDev -33.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
L- Mid amber, crystal clear, pours with 2mm white head.
S- Decidedly floral/fruity. I get citrus/lychee, a typically contemporary/hipster smell.
T- Rather thin, notably 'carbonic', which can occur with lightly flavoured but highly carbonated beers. Right in the finish is a brief hoppy-dry flourish. There is a floral/fruit aspect to the flavour too though it's milder than in the smell.
F- Quite dry and in parallel pretty light on the feel too. It might be refreshing for some but I find the floral/perfume aspect quite a distraction.
O- If it had more meat on it's bones (ABV% + mouth-feel) I might be enjoying it more. As is the floral/fruit/citrus/lychee thing is over-dominating for me. Might work for girls in grass skirts but perhaps less so for others.
355ml bottle £2.49 from Wholefoods, London W8 BB: 16/09/20
Jan 03, 2020
2.38/5 rDev -33.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
L- Mid amber, crystal clear, pours with 2mm white head.
S- Decidedly floral/fruity. I get citrus/lychee, a typically contemporary/hipster smell.
T- Rather thin, notably 'carbonic', which can occur with lightly flavoured but highly carbonated beers. Right in the finish is a brief hoppy-dry flourish. There is a floral/fruit aspect to the flavour too though it's milder than in the smell.
F- Quite dry and in parallel pretty light on the feel too. It might be refreshing for some but I find the floral/perfume aspect quite a distraction.
O- If it had more meat on it's bones (ABV% + mouth-feel) I might be enjoying it more. As is the floral/fruit/citrus/lychee thing is over-dominating for me. Might work for girls in grass skirts but perhaps less so for others.
355ml bottle £2.49 from Wholefoods, London W8 BB: 16/09/20
Jan 03, 2020
DrOfGolf from Florida
4/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very nice and refreshing drink. There is no aftertaste and it has a nice aroma to it. Slight pineapple taste on the finish, but enjoyable. Low ABV (4.4) so they're great to enjoy at lunch. Truly great on a hot day while lounging around the pool or beach.
Dec 28, 2019
4/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very nice and refreshing drink. There is no aftertaste and it has a nice aroma to it. Slight pineapple taste on the finish, but enjoyable. Low ABV (4.4) so they're great to enjoy at lunch. Truly great on a hot day while lounging around the pool or beach.
Dec 28, 2019
ASKasten
4/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a 4 across the board. Easy to drink, smells and looking great. Downside is head doesn’t keep well, but that’s expected considering the fruitiness/sweetness.
Dec 22, 2019
4/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a 4 across the board. Easy to drink, smells and looking great. Downside is head doesn’t keep well, but that’s expected considering the fruitiness/sweetness.
Dec 22, 2019
MaltsOfGlory from Oregon
3.26/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle, closing in on 3 months from bottling date. With a not hoppy, mass produced beer, this should be fine.
Pours a nice big two finger white head into my Boston Lager glass. Fluffy, pillowy, a tad soapy. Retention is very good. As advertised, body is golden. Clarity is extremely high except for the stupid amount of bubbles coming up. Looks good, albeit with traces of a macro beer.
What came across for just a moment as a nice crisp, slightly hoppy nose, quickly turns into a mostly dms muddled brew. While this is not the craziest thing, with such lightly kilned malts, I’m still pretty sure it’s not acceptable here, going off BJCP. Although, the close brother, cream ale, does allow some dms. No style should have dms take over the entire nose though, and that’s largely the case here. That being said, I don’t hate it, kinda comes across as fluffy. Still, not going to get a super big rating.
Yeah definitely dms here. Does finish somewhat nicely with a little juicy pineapple, from I guess some hops? I’m kinda stuck with a cream ale in my mind because they are so close, but in reality they are definitely different styles, I don’t think I can’t stylistically let the dms slide. I’ll give it a little slack considering the flavor is a tad less one dimensional.
Mouthfeel is very fluffy, and if there was anything to compliment dms, that would be it. Carbonation tries to run out quickly, hangs on for quite some time, but by the second half of the glass it is noticeably low. Bitterness is very low. Pretty dry overall. Pretty nice mouthfeel, would be great if the carbonation didn’t get incinerated.
Drinkability is still pretty good here. Dms isn’t the end of the world, and it’s a light brew. I could drink one of these most days.
Appearance turned out pretty nice. Lacing was thick down most of the glass, and the head had very good retention.
Overall a tough beer to grade. Ultimately, as far as I can remember, and from what I can read, this shouldn’t have this much dms, or dms at all. Passable as a lawnmower, nothing more.
Dec 07, 2019
3.26/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle, closing in on 3 months from bottling date. With a not hoppy, mass produced beer, this should be fine.
Pours a nice big two finger white head into my Boston Lager glass. Fluffy, pillowy, a tad soapy. Retention is very good. As advertised, body is golden. Clarity is extremely high except for the stupid amount of bubbles coming up. Looks good, albeit with traces of a macro beer.
What came across for just a moment as a nice crisp, slightly hoppy nose, quickly turns into a mostly dms muddled brew. While this is not the craziest thing, with such lightly kilned malts, I’m still pretty sure it’s not acceptable here, going off BJCP. Although, the close brother, cream ale, does allow some dms. No style should have dms take over the entire nose though, and that’s largely the case here. That being said, I don’t hate it, kinda comes across as fluffy. Still, not going to get a super big rating.
Yeah definitely dms here. Does finish somewhat nicely with a little juicy pineapple, from I guess some hops? I’m kinda stuck with a cream ale in my mind because they are so close, but in reality they are definitely different styles, I don’t think I can’t stylistically let the dms slide. I’ll give it a little slack considering the flavor is a tad less one dimensional.
Mouthfeel is very fluffy, and if there was anything to compliment dms, that would be it. Carbonation tries to run out quickly, hangs on for quite some time, but by the second half of the glass it is noticeably low. Bitterness is very low. Pretty dry overall. Pretty nice mouthfeel, would be great if the carbonation didn’t get incinerated.
Drinkability is still pretty good here. Dms isn’t the end of the world, and it’s a light brew. I could drink one of these most days.
Appearance turned out pretty nice. Lacing was thick down most of the glass, and the head had very good retention.
Overall a tough beer to grade. Ultimately, as far as I can remember, and from what I can read, this shouldn’t have this much dms, or dms at all. Passable as a lawnmower, nothing more.
Dec 07, 2019
Maxkelly9
3.52/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Drank straight out bottle. Good beer. Light hops, but still present. Slightly watery texture. Good introduction to IPA’s for beginner drinkers. Glad I tried.
Nov 30, 2019
3.52/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Drank straight out bottle. Good beer. Light hops, but still present. Slightly watery texture. Good introduction to IPA’s for beginner drinkers. Glad I tried.
Nov 30, 2019
Mindcrime1000 from South Dakota
3.84/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a tall can into a tulip.
Pours a nearly crystal-clear medium-gold with an excellent two-fingered foamy head, visible inviting carbonation, good lasting lacing.
The aroma is fairly pronounced for the style from a strength standpoint. Fairly strong tropical and floral notes. Very much a fruity/pollen smell, that has a honey-kissed quality about it. Just a touch of grassy hops.
After the aroma, the flavor is a little bit of a letdown, but it is still solid. Honey-kissed malts forward, they quickly give way to some soapy floral bitterness in mid-palate, concluding with a touch of pine and dank hops. Although the flavors are somewhat muddled and vague, they are still pretty lively for the style.
The brew has a nice medium-light feel with excellent carbonation.
I deliberately avoided reading any reviews of this brew because of its macro-like ubiquity. For those who feel this style is too bland and flavorless, they should check this beer out. It has a very lively aroma and a unique, albeit subdued by comparison, flavor.
Nov 28, 2019
3.84/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a tall can into a tulip.
Pours a nearly crystal-clear medium-gold with an excellent two-fingered foamy head, visible inviting carbonation, good lasting lacing.
The aroma is fairly pronounced for the style from a strength standpoint. Fairly strong tropical and floral notes. Very much a fruity/pollen smell, that has a honey-kissed quality about it. Just a touch of grassy hops.
After the aroma, the flavor is a little bit of a letdown, but it is still solid. Honey-kissed malts forward, they quickly give way to some soapy floral bitterness in mid-palate, concluding with a touch of pine and dank hops. Although the flavors are somewhat muddled and vague, they are still pretty lively for the style.
The brew has a nice medium-light feel with excellent carbonation.
I deliberately avoided reading any reviews of this brew because of its macro-like ubiquity. For those who feel this style is too bland and flavorless, they should check this beer out. It has a very lively aroma and a unique, albeit subdued by comparison, flavor.
Nov 28, 2019
EvershineDan from Michigan
3.63/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
This could be called Almost An IPA, or Half An IPA. It has a slight citrusy, slight piney flavor.
It's a very lite, but very good flavor.
If you've been searching for an IPA taste, but less than the bold bitterness of a typical IPA, then search no further. Big Wave Golden Ale is it.
Nov 24, 2019
3.63/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
This could be called Almost An IPA, or Half An IPA. It has a slight citrusy, slight piney flavor.
It's a very lite, but very good flavor.
If you've been searching for an IPA taste, but less than the bold bitterness of a typical IPA, then search no further. Big Wave Golden Ale is it.
Nov 24, 2019
huthuty from Utah
4.36/5 rDev +21.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Looks like a lager with a bit more of a head than your typical adjunct
Smells is light and fruity, emphasis on the light, it would be amazing if such flavor was cranked up.
Taste is light, a tiny bit of the fruitiness from the aroma comes through, there's a butteryness to this beer? Not enough it seems like an off note, but enough it gives it a round mouth feel.
Overall extremely drinkable and nothing go complain about I'd like to pay a little less for it though
Nov 16, 2019
4.36/5 rDev +21.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Looks like a lager with a bit more of a head than your typical adjunct
Smells is light and fruity, emphasis on the light, it would be amazing if such flavor was cranked up.
Taste is light, a tiny bit of the fruitiness from the aroma comes through, there's a butteryness to this beer? Not enough it seems like an off note, but enough it gives it a round mouth feel.
Overall extremely drinkable and nothing go complain about I'd like to pay a little less for it though
Nov 16, 2019
VoxRationis from New York
2.95/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Decanted from a 16 oz (473 ml) can into a conical 12 oz (355 ml) cup; canned 06/20/19.
A: Pours a ever so slightly hazy, dark golden color with a one finger, off-white head, displaying rim retention, and gorgeous rings of Belgian lace on the glass.
S: Aromas of light, light caramel, grapefruit citrus, and pine.
T: More semidry than semisweet with palate following nose, but subtle, chemical flavor (maybe bandaid?). Mild bitterness.
M: Light to medium bodied with decent carbonation.
O: Poured from a can that is not old enough to explain off flavor. Wouldn’t have it again.
Oct 19, 2019
2.95/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Decanted from a 16 oz (473 ml) can into a conical 12 oz (355 ml) cup; canned 06/20/19.
A: Pours a ever so slightly hazy, dark golden color with a one finger, off-white head, displaying rim retention, and gorgeous rings of Belgian lace on the glass.
S: Aromas of light, light caramel, grapefruit citrus, and pine.
T: More semidry than semisweet with palate following nose, but subtle, chemical flavor (maybe bandaid?). Mild bitterness.
M: Light to medium bodied with decent carbonation.
O: Poured from a can that is not old enough to explain off flavor. Wouldn’t have it again.
Oct 19, 2019
That_Mohawk_Dude
3.88/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pleasant taste and aroma. Light hints of citrus and a great mouth feel make an extremely easy to drink beer overall. Perfect for days on the beach as is expected.
Sep 10, 2019
3.88/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pleasant taste and aroma. Light hints of citrus and a great mouth feel make an extremely easy to drink beer overall. Perfect for days on the beach as is expected.
Sep 10, 2019
BoiseBoiseBop from Texas
3.47/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
This a succinct and entirely subjective review; The color is real nice pleasant golden brown. Thin head that lingers. Inoffensive mild Smell of tropical fruit and corn syrup. tasted fresh despite being purchased in the summer 1/2 way around the world from Hawaii.
Bottom line is if you like your beer to taste like you squeezed some Papaya and Pineapple into it, then this beer is for you. Its light but not watery, and since I hate the taste of pineapple , and don't like a tropical fruity beer, I have to get this ice cold to drink it, and while I can and will drink it now, I will not be drinking it again, unless it's free.
Sep 05, 2019
3.47/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
This a succinct and entirely subjective review; The color is real nice pleasant golden brown. Thin head that lingers. Inoffensive mild Smell of tropical fruit and corn syrup. tasted fresh despite being purchased in the summer 1/2 way around the world from Hawaii.
Bottom line is if you like your beer to taste like you squeezed some Papaya and Pineapple into it, then this beer is for you. Its light but not watery, and since I hate the taste of pineapple , and don't like a tropical fruity beer, I have to get this ice cold to drink it, and while I can and will drink it now, I will not be drinking it again, unless it's free.
Sep 05, 2019
Bouleboubier from New Jersey
3.85/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
(12 oz bottle, bottled on 23APR19; purchased single off shelf... poured into Belhaven pub pint)
L: polished-clear, golden liquid; head fizzles away on the pour, but leaves a thin cap, lacy-bubbled collar; no lace at all
S: banana-coconut??, smells great... that trails off a bit, allowing a vaguely vanilla ice cream with nuts and threads of caramel through it - am I crazy?... at any rate, smells inviting, and doesn't quite suggest much sweetness
T: light-order caramel punch up front, followed by sort of banana chip and bitter orange peel hop character, lightly nutty-caramel, coconut aftertaste... I must emphasize that all of these flavors are very subtle; not much sweetness boost any candy-like qualities, despite the undeniable malt-forward, near malt-bomb foundation... wonderfully clipped finish
F: bizarre, inflated, glassy wash in that first sip, balloon pops dry in finish, delicate spicy heat(?) lingers... but sip after sip, subtle body swell, vanishing finish, with perhaps the slight lingering feeling of silk dragged across the palate
O: not quite sure I've had anything similar to this... I wonder what a fresh example is like, as the flavors here seemed interesting but rather drained of life... I will keep this in mind, however, and look for fresh(er) bottles (1491)
Aug 26, 2019
3.85/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
(12 oz bottle, bottled on 23APR19; purchased single off shelf... poured into Belhaven pub pint)
L: polished-clear, golden liquid; head fizzles away on the pour, but leaves a thin cap, lacy-bubbled collar; no lace at all
S: banana-coconut??, smells great... that trails off a bit, allowing a vaguely vanilla ice cream with nuts and threads of caramel through it - am I crazy?... at any rate, smells inviting, and doesn't quite suggest much sweetness
T: light-order caramel punch up front, followed by sort of banana chip and bitter orange peel hop character, lightly nutty-caramel, coconut aftertaste... I must emphasize that all of these flavors are very subtle; not much sweetness boost any candy-like qualities, despite the undeniable malt-forward, near malt-bomb foundation... wonderfully clipped finish
F: bizarre, inflated, glassy wash in that first sip, balloon pops dry in finish, delicate spicy heat(?) lingers... but sip after sip, subtle body swell, vanishing finish, with perhaps the slight lingering feeling of silk dragged across the palate
O: not quite sure I've had anything similar to this... I wonder what a fresh example is like, as the flavors here seemed interesting but rather drained of life... I will keep this in mind, however, and look for fresh(er) bottles (1491)
Aug 26, 2019
jwc215 from Arizona
3.63/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz. bottle - Bottled on May 11 19:
Pours clear golden. A thin head lasts, leaving broken rings of lacing,
The smell is of light grain, some dough, subtle floral touch.
The taste is of soft grain, hint of dough. It has a subtle floral balancing touch in the finish.
It is appropriately light-bodied. Very smooth. Very refreshing.
A pleasant, simple blonde ale that fits the style well. A good choice for a thirst-buster, light but not watery, easy drinking brew.
Aug 24, 2019
3.63/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz. bottle - Bottled on May 11 19:
Pours clear golden. A thin head lasts, leaving broken rings of lacing,
The smell is of light grain, some dough, subtle floral touch.
The taste is of soft grain, hint of dough. It has a subtle floral balancing touch in the finish.
It is appropriately light-bodied. Very smooth. Very refreshing.
A pleasant, simple blonde ale that fits the style well. A good choice for a thirst-buster, light but not watery, easy drinking brew.
Aug 24, 2019
Big Wave Golden Ale from Kona Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
2219 ratings
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