Longboard Island Lager
Kona Brewing Co.


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- From:
- Kona Brewing Co.
- Hawaii, United States
- Style:
- American Lager
Ranked #248 - ABV:
- 4.6%
- Score:
- 77
Ranked #29,365 - Avg:
- 3.38 | pDev: 15.09%
- Reviews:
- 798
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Yesterday at 09:53 PM
- Added:
- Aug 07, 2002
- Wants:
- 76
- Gots:
- 939
SCORE
77
Okay
77
Okay


Notes:
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.
18 IBU
18 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington
3.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a tulip glass.
Look- Pale straw, clear, white frothy head, below average lacing, average head retention.
Smell- Floral, biscuit, lemon.
Taste- Biscuit, mildly sweet, grassy, mild lemon.
Feel- Crisp, thin body, mildly dry finish, average carbonation, mild bitterness.
Overall- Crisp lager with a mildly dry finish and very subtle flavor.
Jul 26, 2022Look- Pale straw, clear, white frothy head, below average lacing, average head retention.
Smell- Floral, biscuit, lemon.
Taste- Biscuit, mildly sweet, grassy, mild lemon.
Feel- Crisp, thin body, mildly dry finish, average carbonation, mild bitterness.
Overall- Crisp lager with a mildly dry finish and very subtle flavor.
Reviewed by xmanden from Michigan
3.1/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.1/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pale gold in color, clear. Not much of a smell. Not much of a head. I wasn’t expecting much from this beer but it did surprise me. The taste was pretty bold with hints of citrus peel. Great carbonation.
Jun 26, 2022Reviewed by nickb2000
3.92/5 rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Nucleated Pilsner
Look: A yellow-gold color and zero haze. The head is white and rich. Initial head was 1 finger and dissipated slowly, leaving wisps behind.
Smell: Light and citrusy. Bright. Hints of malt and hops.
Taste: Light and refreshing. With a hint of the hops at the end and the residing note of malt.
Feel: Its really crisp, and light sipper.
Overall this is a great beer I would buy again.
Jun 19, 2022Look: A yellow-gold color and zero haze. The head is white and rich. Initial head was 1 finger and dissipated slowly, leaving wisps behind.
Smell: Light and citrusy. Bright. Hints of malt and hops.
Taste: Light and refreshing. With a hint of the hops at the end and the residing note of malt.
Feel: Its really crisp, and light sipper.
Overall this is a great beer I would buy again.
Reviewed by Kiiz
4.04/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.04/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2nd Kona beer ever, I don’t remember the 1st but I had the bottle cap sitting on the floor for a year or so.
For being a low abv beer it’s got a decent malt profile. A little spice and pineapple I think idk man. I had the variety pack and that was like 4 beers ago so idk. I think it was worse than big wave but still good. More peppery, malty, and harder to get through compared to big wave. Big wave has that slight ipa hop bitterness with some ingredients that remind me of the ocean. Idk man if your reading this just get the variety pack
Jun 17, 2022For being a low abv beer it’s got a decent malt profile. A little spice and pineapple I think idk man. I had the variety pack and that was like 4 beers ago so idk. I think it was worse than big wave but still good. More peppery, malty, and harder to get through compared to big wave. Big wave has that slight ipa hop bitterness with some ingredients that remind me of the ocean. Idk man if your reading this just get the variety pack
Reviewed by German-Helles from Wisconsin
3.43/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.43/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is a 12oz. bottle poured into the Kona pint glass. This has the classic lager look. One finger of pure white foam that slowly settled to a thin cap that hung around for the duration. This lager is a clear bright yellow with a healthy stream of carbonation racing to the top.
The aroma is malty, sweet, and a touch of cereal is picked up.
The flavor is malty, sweet honey, a little grain, and a touch of peppery hops, slightly bitter, that cuts the sweetness nicely.
This lager has a lighter mouthfeel, and a modest 4.6 ABV making it very easy to sit down and sample a few after a long day on the lake. The flavor is solid, what I want from a lager! Very good Kona.
Jun 14, 2022The aroma is malty, sweet, and a touch of cereal is picked up.
The flavor is malty, sweet honey, a little grain, and a touch of peppery hops, slightly bitter, that cuts the sweetness nicely.
This lager has a lighter mouthfeel, and a modest 4.6 ABV making it very easy to sit down and sample a few after a long day on the lake. The flavor is solid, what I want from a lager! Very good Kona.
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
3.42/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.42/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
12oz can poured into a pint
A- pours a clear golden color with a one-finger foamy white head that reduces to a film on the top
S- slightly grainy malt, a hint of spicy and floral hops, honey
T- slightly sweet and malty up front with notes of toasted malt and honey. Mid-palate gives a hint of spicy and floral hops. The finish is semi-dry, with a linger of toasted grains
M- light body wit medium carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp finish
Jun 02, 2022A- pours a clear golden color with a one-finger foamy white head that reduces to a film on the top
S- slightly grainy malt, a hint of spicy and floral hops, honey
T- slightly sweet and malty up front with notes of toasted malt and honey. Mid-palate gives a hint of spicy and floral hops. The finish is semi-dry, with a linger of toasted grains
M- light body wit medium carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into a crisp finish
Rated by WYeates from North Carolina
3.73/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A golden wheat appearance with a biscuit smell and flavor. A crisp biscuit flavor that goes down clean. Not Kona's best, but it's good.
May 24, 2022Rated by davidward from Florida
3/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A better than average American lager.
Mar 24, 2022Reviewed by deleted_user_995920
2.84/5 rDev -16%
look: 2 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
2.84/5 rDev -16%
look: 2 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Pours a translucent , (almost glass clear), light golden yellow with a really quick dissipating white head.Picking up very little with the exception of a light grain aroma-Taste is smooth,crisp and malty. Feels barely carbonated. Okay flavor profile.Feels like light beer. Not much substance, very water like. It needs more carbonation and more depth and character-Overall their Kona light feels way more substantial than this. In my opinion this beer is not so good. Disappointing to look at and disappointing to taste-
Mar 12, 2022Rated by LukeCov49
3.45/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Light lager, refreshing on a hot day, but not much flavor
Mar 06, 2022Rated by Absolut from California
3.1/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.1/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
An easy drinking lager. Great choice for a summer bbq
Feb 26, 2022Rated by Gatch from Massachusetts
3.69/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Crushable but otherwise forgettable.
Feb 23, 2022Reviewed by Suds from Missouri
3.42/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
3.42/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
I can't believe that I never reviewed this beer, especially on our trip to Hawaii. From an aluminum can, it pours a very pale, lightly hazy, faint yellow color. The head, though, is a tall, tick, and lasting white. The smell is of light malt and a whiff of hops. Light lager scent. The taste is tilted sweet, with a pleasant modesty. Light in body and overall experience, but not bad at all.
Jan 28, 2022Reviewed by wadamslll
3.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Kind of bland. Refreshing but not a lot of flavor. Probably best on a hot day. Little bit of a bitter aftertaste that is not pleasant. Their Golden Ale is better. Still. Better than the macro swills, save for Coors Banquet. The banquet is better.
After drinking more from Kona Costco variety case, 1 case down and nearly half thrust 2nd over past 10 days, this Longboard Lager poured into a glass, is their finest offering. I am now stack ranking the Konas:
Longboard lager
Big wave ale
Pipeline Porter
Mai time light - still sucks. But drinkable.
Jan 22, 2022After drinking more from Kona Costco variety case, 1 case down and nearly half thrust 2nd over past 10 days, this Longboard Lager poured into a glass, is their finest offering. I am now stack ranking the Konas:
Longboard lager
Big wave ale
Pipeline Porter
Mai time light - still sucks. But drinkable.
Rated by Legendary_Geko from Florida
2.06/5 rDev -39.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
2.06/5 rDev -39.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
This is one of the worst beers I have ever had. If you have to have a Kona beer, go with a Big Wave
Jan 02, 2022Rated by Captain69 from Illinois
3.27/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.27/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
light lager - easy drinking but not much taste
Dec 05, 2021Reviewed by lagrluvr
3.75/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Almost looks like "light" beer, but it does contain a little more flavor than typical lite lagers. It's okay, and is well worth the score this site is giving it. Crisp clean but a bit generic. Not much character. I put it under the Big Wave Golden Ale, which had a better everything.
Nov 29, 2021Reviewed by KingLemuel from Washington
3.69/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
3.69/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
Overall, I enjoy drinking this beer. It is a little more malty than Bud or Coors, but not too malty and it is a little more bitter, but not too bitter. It is closer to Bud than Samuel Adams in bitterness and taste. The hops are present but they do not obscure the malt flavor as is the case with Full Sail Session Lager. I like it much better than Session. That beer is a C beer while this is a B or a B-. I bought it at Fred Meyers and it was fresh and carbonated. I never thought twice about Bud, Coors, Pabst, Miller High Life, Tecate, etc. etc. being fresh and carbonated! They all are, and they have been for the last 45 years. But several of the craft beers I've bought their have been a bit stale. A six bottle pack of Fat Tire had 3 that were hardly carbonated, and all did not taste fresh.
I like the Longboard Island Lager much better than Kona's Golden ale. IMO, Golden Ale's Citra hops are overdone and obscure the malt flavor. This lager is one of the beer's that I currently buy regularly when I wish to buy a beer that is light and refreshing and easy drinking, yet has good malt flavor and nice flavor accents from the hops. The color is your typical light colored lager and it has a lower ABV feel to it at 4.6% ABV. Smell has never been a big deal when drinking beer as long their are no off smells and there were not.
Nov 06, 2021I like the Longboard Island Lager much better than Kona's Golden ale. IMO, Golden Ale's Citra hops are overdone and obscure the malt flavor. This lager is one of the beer's that I currently buy regularly when I wish to buy a beer that is light and refreshing and easy drinking, yet has good malt flavor and nice flavor accents from the hops. The color is your typical light colored lager and it has a lower ABV feel to it at 4.6% ABV. Smell has never been a big deal when drinking beer as long their are no off smells and there were not.
Longboard Island Lager from Kona Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
77 out of
100 with
3084 ratings
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