Kona Longboard Island Lager 12 Pack is a 12-pack of the flagship American craft lager from Kona Brewing Company, brewed at 4.6% ABV. Recognized with a 93/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and a Gold Medal at the 2012 North American Beer Awards, Longboard stands as one of Hawaii's most widely known craft beers — a clean, malt-driven lager built for easy drinking without sacrificing character.Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6% | Origin: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA | Style: Island Lager | Brewery: Kona Brewing CompanyProduction & HeritageKona Brewing Company was founded in 1994 on Hawaii's Big Island in Kailua-Kona and has grown into one of the most recognized craft breweries in the Pacific. Longboard Island Lager is brewed with premium 2-row pale malt and a trio of aromatic European-style hops — Mt. Hood, Hallertau, and Czech Saaz — then fermented and cold-aged for a full five weeks to develop its clean, smooth profile. A distinctive production detail: water mineral levels at each facility are carefully adjusted to replicate the mineral composition of fresh Hawaiian water, ensuring a consistent flavor no matter where the beer is brewed.Tasting NotesAroma: Toasted malt and herbal spice greet the nose first, followed by sweet summer corn and a faint grassiness. Gentle floral hop notes emerge beneath, with a subtle hint of hay and stone fruit.Taste: The entry is malt-forward and slightly nutty, with honey sweetness and a dry biscuity quality reminiscent of sourdough bread. At mid-palate, lemon and floral citrus notes surface, balanced by a light bitterness from the Saaz and Hallertau hops. The overall impression is smooth, crisp, and refreshing without veering toward heavy.Finish: The finish is clean and moderately dry, with earthy hop character and a lingering fruity-floral quality. Bitterness is gentle — present enough to prompt another sip but never aggressive.How to Drink LongboardLongboard is best served cold, between 38–45°F, in a pilsner glass or straight from the bottle. Its clean lager profile makes it remarkably versatile in beer-based cocktails. A Michelada benefits from Longboard's malty backbone, which balances the lime and hot sauce. In a Shandy, the honey sweetness and floral hops pair naturally with fresh lemonade. A Beer-a-Rita works well too — the lager's light body and citrus undertones integrate smoothly with tequila and lime.Best For Stocking a cooler for a backyard barbecue or beach day Introducing macro-lager drinkers to craft beer without intimidation Pairing with grilled seafood or Pacific Rim-inspired dishes A reliable everyday lager when you want more flavor than mass-market options Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Longboard taste like? Longboard Island Lager is a smooth, malt-forward beer with honey sweetness, biscuity grain, light lemon and floral hop notes, and a clean, crisp finish with gentle bitterness.How does Longboard compare to Sam Adams Boston Lager? Both are malt-forward American craft lagers, but Longboard is lighter in body and lower in ABV (4.6% vs. 5.0%), with a smoother, less hop-assertive profile than Boston Lager's more pronounced caramel malt and Noble hop character.Is Longboard good for beginners? Longboard is an excellent entry point into craft beer — its clean lager profile and 4.6% ABV make it approachable for anyone transitioning from mainstream lagers while still delivering more nuanced malt and hop character.Where is Longboard made? Longboard Island Lager is produced by Kona Brewing Company, originally founded in 1994 in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island. Water at each brewing facility is treated and mineral-adjusted to replicate the composition of fresh Hawaiian water.What foods pair well with Longboard? Grilled mahi-mahi or shrimp tacos complement the lager's light citrus notes. Teriyaki chicken works with the malty sweetness. A Hawaiian poke bowl echoes the beer's island roots. Fish and chips benefit from the crisp, palate-cleansing carbonation. Mild cheeses like Havarti or young Gouda match the biscuity malt character without overpowering it.What sizes does Longboard come in? Kona Longboard Island Lager is available in 12-packs (12 oz bottles or cans), six-packs, and individual bottles or cans depending on market availability.Is Longboard worth the price? Longboard positions as an accessible, everyday craft lager — priced in the mainstream craft tier rather than premium or specialty territory. For the quality of ingredients and the five-week cold-aging process, it delivers strong value relative to similarly priced domestic craft lagers.Why Longboard?Longboard Island Lager earned a 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a Gold Medal at the 2012 North American Beer Awards, placing it among the more decorated American craft lagers on the market. The five-week cold fermentation and use of Czech Saaz, Hallertau, and Mt. Hood hops give it a depth that most lagers at this price point lack. Kona's commitment to replicating Hawaiian water mineral profiles at every brewing facility adds a layer of consistency and intentionality rarely seen in widely distributed craft beer. For a lager that balances genuine craft credibility with broad drinkability, Longboard remains a benchmark.
