Kona Big Wave 25OZ

Kona Big Wave 25oz is a light-bodied golden ale brewed at 4.4% ABV in a large-format 25oz can, inspired by Hawaii's laid-back surf culture. A multiple gold medal winner — including the 2016 Gold Medal in the Light Ale category at the North American Beer Awards — Big Wave has established itself as one of the most recognized island-style ales in the American craft market.

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

Production & Heritage

Kona Brewing was founded in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island. While the brand's roots are Hawaiian, Big Wave is also brewed at mainland partner facilities — including Widmer Brothers in Portland, Oregon and Redhook Ale Brewery locations in Woodinville, Washington and Portsmouth, New Hampshire — under the transparency label "Founded in Hawaii, Brewed on the Mainland." A critical production detail: water mineral levels at each brewery are adjusted to replicate the mineral profile of Hawaii's fresh water supply, first stripping impurities then reintroducing minerals to match island conditions. The grain bill centers on 2-row malt and Gambrinus Honey Malt, while Warrior and Millennium hops handle bittering duties and Willamette and Hallertau hops contribute flavor and aroma.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tropical fruit — particularly pineapple — leads the nose, followed by a light, hoppy lift from the Willamette and Hallertau additions. A gentle honey-grain sweetness rounds out the background.

Taste: The entry is clean and slightly sweet, with bright caramel malt character meeting subtle citrus and tropical fruit notes at mid-palate. The Gambrinus Honey Malt contributes a delicate sweetness that stays balanced against the hop bitterness, keeping the beer refreshing rather than cloying.

Finish: Short and crisp with a mild hop dryness that invites the next sip. There is no lingering bitterness — just a clean, lightly malty fade.

How to Drink Big Wave

Big Wave is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a pint glass at around 40–45°F to let the tropical aromatics open up without losing its refreshing edge. At 4.4% ABV and in a generous 25oz format, it is built for extended, relaxed drinking sessions. It also works well as a beer cocktail base: try a Michelada with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire for a savory kick; a Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for a light summer cooler; or a Beermosa mixed with orange or pineapple juice at brunch, where its tropical notes amplify the fruit.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and cookouts where session-strength refreshment matters
• Beach days, pool parties, or any warm-weather outdoor gathering
• Watching surf or sports — the 25oz format means fewer trips to the cooler
• Introducing non-craft drinkers to golden ales with an approachable, easy-going profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Big Wave taste like? Big Wave delivers bright caramel malt sweetness alongside subtle tropical fruit — notably pineapple — and citrus hop notes, finishing clean and crisp with low bitterness.

How does Big Wave compare to Corona? Both target the relaxed, lifestyle-beer segment, but Big Wave uses a more complex malt bill featuring Gambrinus Honey Malt and American and German hop varieties, resulting in noticeably more flavor and aroma than Corona's lighter, adjunct-lager profile. Corona leans drier and more neutral, while Big Wave offers tropical fruitiness and a soft malt backbone at a comparable 4.4% ABV.

Is Big Wave good for beginners? Big Wave is an excellent entry point into craft golden ales — its low bitterness, light body, and 4.4% ABV make it approachable for anyone transitioning from mainstream lagers.

Where is Big Wave made? Kona Brewing was founded in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island, and Big Wave is also produced at mainland partner breweries in Oregon, Washington, and New Hampshire, with water mineral profiles adjusted to replicate Hawaiian water conditions.

What foods pair well with Big Wave? Grilled mahi-mahi or shrimp tacos complement the tropical hop character. Poke bowls echo the Hawaiian origin. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette mirror the beer's citrus notes. Barbecue chicken benefits from the malt sweetness cutting through smoky char. Fresh fruit — mango, pineapple — reinforces the ale's natural tropical profile.

What sizes does Big Wave come in? Big Wave is widely available in 12oz six-packs and twelve-packs, and in the larger 25oz single-serve can format featured here.

Is Big Wave worth the price? Big Wave positions as a premium session golden ale — priced slightly above mainstream imports but competitive within the craft segment, delivering more hop complexity and malt character than most beers in its weight class.

Why Big Wave?

The water-mineral replication process is what truly distinguishes Big Wave from other golden ales brewed across multiple sites — it is a deliberate effort to maintain Hawaiian brewing character regardless of production location. Five major competition medals between 2013 and 2019, including gold at the US Open Beer Championship and the North American Beer Awards, confirm the consistency of that approach. The combination of Gambrinus Honey Malt with a dual-purpose hop program (Warrior and Millennium for clean bittering, Willamette and Hallertau for aromatic depth) gives Big Wave a more layered profile than the typical session blonde ale. In a 25oz can at 4.4% ABV, it delivers genuine flavor without the fatigue of higher-gravity craft options.