Lets go surfin’ now, everybody’s learnin’ how come on and safari with meeee… Man am I ready for Summer! More so than just about any winter than I can remember I’m wanting to shed the layers of clothing and put on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt and head out into the warm outdoors! I think I am begining to drink lighter beers, not because it is too warm to drink the heavy stuff, because it is not, but because I’m looking for summer, and that longing for no jacket or jeans has me thinking summer. I had a very good summer brew the other night and I know it was great because my wife said so…
Kona Brewing’s Longboard Lager is a typical lager, with one big difference…FLAVOR! Let’s start at the top, the pour was really interesting I had about a one finger billowy head that quickly dissipated and left some lacing on the glass. The color was amazing, it was a crystal clear pale golden color that once the head went down looked like wine. Is a matter of fact, that is what my wife said “Is this a wine?” When I smelled it there is really little other description than to say it smelled lagery. Malty and sweet like a light beer. There was a light citrusy tone in there as well. This is a very low IBU beer at 18, so the citrus was very understated.
I gave the glass to my wife, and she smelled it and got excited. Then she took a sip, and then another, and then a full drink. She asked me if I had another and I had to tell her no, so she reluctantly gave the glass back to me. Her comment was priceless. She said ” it tastes like Bud, only with flavor!” Out of the mouthes of babes! That says it all, the difference is flavor. It is a typical lager on the taste and mouthfeel, but it has a body and substance to it, almost a breadiness that really delivers a nice crisp clean flavor experience.
My wife said “we could actually serve this to our friends at a Barbecue this summer!” She meant that in a way that says…all those other terrible beers you drink are not fit for company, but this one is good! So I probably will never fully convert her, but Kona’s Longboard Lager is definitely a step in the right direction. This brew is also only 4.6% ABV, so it is a really nice session beer too. If you are jonesing for summer like me, go get a six pack of this lager, put on shorts and flipflops, crank up the heat in the house and flip on ESPN 2 to watch surfing championships. Hold on Summer is on the way!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Sounds a bit like Victory Lager, which is a crisp, bready treat. I describe it “like Budweiser if was good.” I’ve been enjoying a few of the leftover Victory’s from Simply Beer’s Session Beer podcast we did a few weeks back. Maybe I’m pining for summer, too.
It’s easy to give up on lagers because they’ve been exploited by the macrobrews (or maybe they’ve just been done to death) but a nice lager is treat, and this one sounds like it’s a keeper.
Good points all Jim. It was a treat, and had great flavor. Reading on their web site I think it is because it takes them 45 days to cold ferment it. I’m guessing that Bud takes about 10 days. Good beer takes time, and the macros don’t really understand that in my opinion.
I thought this was a great lager as well, and if it were more available it would be a solid Summer ‘go-to’ beer for me. I’ve been impressed with everything from Kona so far.
Here’s my take on the Longboard Lager. Did you know they brew in New Hampshire now?
http://thebrewclub.com/2009/07/24/kona-longboard-lager-beer-review/
Yes I did! They brew in Kona, Portland, OR, and Portsmouth, NH. Perhaps you will be better able to get their brews soon, since they have an east coast production brewery. I have a feeling I will have a six of this in the fridge from now on, since the wife likes it!
Of course, Scott. Everyone knows the tastiest waves are in NH!
Portsmouth…Longboard capital of the world!
Good review Scott. I liked your descriptions, and how similar they were to mine. Good affirmation.