The Kona Brewing Co. has been brewing its beer on the Big Island since 1994–opening its first pub in Kona in 1998 and, in 2003 its second restaurant in the Koko Marina Center in Hawaii Kai in East Oahu. It was at this location that Sheila and I had the chance to experience a unique blend of fine beers, ono food, and great entertainment.
Before, I tell you about our experience, I have a confession to make. I didn’t take my first sip of Kona Brewing beer until March of this year. I’ve always been the Bud Light kind of guy, so I went out on a limb when I ordered a bottle of Kona’s Big Wave. It turned out to be one of the best beers I’d ever tasted, but alas, it was our last night of our trip–which felt like a cruel joke. So, you can imagine how excited I was to head to a restaurant that featured more than 10 Kona Brewing Co. beers!
Before I get to the beer, let me tell you about the food. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much more than your typical bar food. Boy was I wrong–it actually ended up being one of my favorite meals of the whole trip. The Niu Valley Nachos ($12)–with Kalua Pork–were delicious, and we would have been happy re-ordering them all night. Fortunately, we broke the Nachos habit in time to try the equally tasty Kettle Chip Crusted Ono ($22)–which is rolled in Kettle Chip crumbs, sauteed, smothered in the fabulous Golden Ale butteryaki sauce and served with vegetables and hapa rice. I am literally salivating as I type this!
OK, so time for the beer. It’s exactly what you would have guessed. How can you fault the beer, when you’re sitting in the restaurant of a brewery? Of course, I started off with the Big Wave, but then our server quickly encouraged us–OK, it didn’t take much–to go through their mini-beer samples. For $8 you get 4, 6oz samples of any of Kona Brewing Co.’s beers. With ten of them to try, you can imagine the fun Sheila and I had tasting each one–all in the name of professional journalism, of course! 😉
The Black Sand Porter really did have a chocolate taste–as claimed–and the Pipeline Porter is made with 100% Kona coffee. Duke’s Blonde Ale was a real thirst-quencher, and the Hula Hefeweizen had an amazing hint of banana!! They also had a macadamia nut beer, which they serve seasonally–wait, they have seasons in Hawaii? 😉 Even if you’re not a beer drinker–which Sheila certainly isn’t–you’ll enjoy sampling the many delicious beers. Think of it as a high-society wine tasting, except with beer and kalua pork!
I can highly recommend the Kona Brewing Co. for a night of affordable sandwiches, pizzas, and pupus, great beer and lively entertainment!
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Thanks for this detailed review! Makes me hungry for those nachos again.
It was a busy night, so I think we were lucky to get a seat with a view of Led.
When can we go back? ;-)
If we left right now...we could be there in time for Sunday night and Led's performance! ;-)
Thanks, your report will get me there.
Aloha,
Keahi