Brewery: Kona
Country: USA
Size: 35.5cl
ABV: 4.6%
Price: 21kr
Systembolaget: 88108
Kona is a brewery I only discovered quite recently but it must be said I am enjoying their products. After the freshness of their Big Wave golden ale I thought I would try the Longboard lager. I think it’s shame sometimes that American lager has such a bad reputation as there are so many tasty lagers out there to find. Like all beer though it can be pot luck. Would this turn out to be a crisp, delicious, well made lager or unimaginative, bland, carbonated piss water? Luckily for me this was definitely more towards the former category.
It poured with a clear light golden colour and gave a nice head at the beginning but didn’t last too long. A light, fresh fragrance of grass, corn and a hint of sweet malts accompanied the beer. After sipping it was obvious this was a great “sit on a beach with an ice bucket and drink 4 or 5 of these whilst enjoying the sun” kinda beer, which is not unexpected as it hails from Hawaii. It was light in body and with a taste to match but that was not a negative. Grain, grass and slight green apple was noted in the taste, yet I would have liked a bit more fizz. The aftertaste was nothing of paticular note, other than a crisp, dry finish with minimal bitterness.
If I was to drink this is the pub I wouldn’t be disappointed but I wouldn’t be amazed either. I think this beer would excel though in the summer sun. I would still probably go for the excellent Big Wave over this but this is still a very nice member of the Kona beer Family.