After a rocky start to the Big Island, I was excited to see Kona, a place I had heard a lot about. Our first stop of the day was lunch at Kona Brewing Company, where I crossed another brewery tour off my Life List.
What makes their food so good is that they reuse byproducts from beer production for their pizza crusts and bread. I ordered a beer and Sammi and I shared the spicy chicken pizza that tasted like hot wings. Rachel got fish tacos and my mom had a Cuban sandwich. All were delicious and not one of us had a bad word to say about anything.
We signed up for a brewery tour, since they only run two per day, but had to wait until 3:00. In between, we decided to kill time by visiting a coffee plantation. We visited Kona Blue Sky Coffee Plantation, where Sammi and Rachel, the coffee drinkers of the family, tried the local varieties. They helped me pick out one to give as a gift to Tommy’s dad. While we didn’t go on one, the company offers free tours of the grounds.
Once back at Kona Brewing Company, we found out we were not the only ones on the tour. They even let Rachel, an under 21-er, go on the tour. Kona Brewing Company has 10 major varieties of beer and while on the islands, Sammi and I tried probably half of them.
Our guide showed us around the facilities, which is pretty boring if you know how beer is made already, but we met some of the other people in our group. A Hawaiian couple was visiting for free because of a contest they won on Facebook. There was also a couple from Indiana, as well as Australian and German backpackers.
The best part of the tour, of course, was the end when we all (minus Rachel) got to try the beers.
We were given tiny sample glasses and poured four different varieties. Being a good writer, I took plenty of notes for you.
- Longboard Lager: light, basic lager taste
- Wailua Wheat: light, summery, tastes like a shandy (beer and sprite or lemonade)
- Castaway IPA: more bitter
- Pipeline Porter: distinct Kona coffee taste
My favorite was probably the Wailua Wheat, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Pipeline Porter, since I don’t usually like dark beer or coffee.
I highly recommend the restaurant and its pizzas, sandwiches and desserts. There is another location in Oahu, but we found the service to be lacking there.
The tour is free and open to the public, as long as you’re over 13, but samples are only given to those 21 and older, in accordance with federal laws. Tours are given at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but there are only 15 spots on each tour, so go early or call ahead to sign up. You can also get kegs of Kona beer to go.
Kona Brewing Company, 75-5629 Kuakini Highway Kailua Kona. 808-334-BREW (2739)
Kona Blue Sky Coffee, 76-973 Hualalai Road, Kailua. (877) 322-1700
*My friend Christina Lor informed me that Pearlstine Distributors handles the distribution of Kona beer in the Charleston area, if you’re looking to pick some up!*
How fun! At least drinking local beer and coffee like this is totally something I am going to do on Le Big Island. I can’t wait!!! Thanks for the tips re: the beer too, so I know which ones to pick up:-)