When you open a bottle of beer from Kona Brewing Company, it is most likely made in Portland, Oregon, Woodinville, Washington, Memphis, Tennessee, or Portsmouth, New Hampshire. To get the real thing, you will need to visit the Kona Brewery on the Big Island where 12,000 barrels are produced annually for use in Hawaii.
Looking at most of their ingredients which come from the mainland, the noticeable difference is the water used in Kona versus that on the mainland. According to their website:
“We at Kona Brewing are lucky to have an excellent source of local water that we are proud to use as the foundation of our tasty brews. The rainwater is naturally filtered through Hawaii’s volcanic rock and accumulates in underground aquifers from where it is pumped to the brewery.”
While that’s great if you are enjoying their beer in Hawaii, how does that translate without their unique water on the mainland? Instead of drinking water filtered through Hawaii’s volcanic rock, it’s coming from someplace else not, well, quite as tropical or picturesque.
A lawsuit is in the works. We agree that their website makes it appear that everything is coming from Big Island. You have to dig deep to see otherwise. On the other hand, their bottles do say their beer is also made on the mainland.
For now to get the real tropical taste you’ll need to visit Hawaii (and not a local Costco in the islands). Beer lovers can also get a real bottle from Kona that has been turned into a candle from this ETSY seller who we have used before.
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It doesn’t matter to us where Kona beer is brewed.It tastes the same as we have had at the actual brewery in Hawaii.
I have no problem with the beers made on the mainland. While I enjoy a fresh brew, & especially the new test flavors, at the brewery in Kona, I also appreciate getting my hands on the beers here in the midwest USA.
Besides, do you really want beer that has possibly been shipped in warm weather conditions? Hope to get back to Kona someday but will enjoy the Kona Brewery beers back here until then.
Lets not forget Lil old Kauai Brewing Company! Some nice Wai’ale’ale Alex please
So is Kona’s Wailua Wheat from Hawaii or mainland? They claim not to sell it on the mainland but that doesn’t mean it’s created & bottled in Hawaii.
How long before Maui Breeing Company goes the same wsy?
Shipping bottles from the mainland (or overseas) to Hawaii to bottle beer at the volume that Kona Brew produces and then to distribute back to the mainland is absolutely not feasible unless they were to charge a much higher price. That’s why they are investing in a new $15 million brewery, so that they can produce beer packaged in cans for Hawaii distribution to the mainland. It’s much easier and cheaper. There are many other products that appear to be from one place, but are not. Mauna Loa macadamia nuts’ ads are all in Hawaii, but the nuts are from Australia and processed in Hawaii. So, should we sue them, too?
Yes to Mac nuts! I have called them to complain about incorrect labeling. I bought my sis Maui beer here in California- it was $14 a 6pk.
We stopped buying the Mauna Loa brand Caramel Clusters, not because there was false advertising, per se, but every package specifically stated that the candies were made in Mexico. We prefer to give our mainland friends “Hawaiian” treats made in Hawaii, not Mexico.
Aloha, I don’t feel deceived as I had read this a few years ago on their website. It seems obvious that given the enormous scale of their operation and distribution, that shipping their beer to the mainland would be cost prohibitive. When I’m in Hawaii – Kauai mostly, every two years – I drink Kona Brewing Co. tap beer as I like to support them. Here in the Bay Area I still drink their beer because it takes me to Hawaii. A lawsuit? Really? SMH.
What ever happened to Primo Beer??? Loved the Primo tee shirts…
I thought they still sell it? I have Primo slippers?
I love Kona beer and drink when I can get it at Costco, even though I live in the Bend OR. area where beer rules. If it all came from the Big Island no one would be able to buy since the cost would be prohibitive. Portland has pretty good water too. I could care less if it is brewed in mainland cities. I do visist the Kona brewery every year and enjoy both the beer and food. This is nothing more than an existance situation. Exist or shut down in my opinion.
I’m disappointed to hear that all Kona beers aren’t produced in Hawaii. I’ve been to the Kona brewery, enjoyed lunch/dinner with a cold brew. I like Hawaiian products that use Hawaiian ingredients and try to support them when I visit.
In Kansas City where I live, I buy Boulevard beer products. In San Diego, I buy Stone beer.
I would have no interest in buying Kona beer not brewed in Hawaii. I quit buying Coors when they expanded production out of Colorado.
Thanks for enlightening me on the non “Kona” beer.
Yes I was buying them a few years ago just for the reason of getting the Hawaiian water. And then I read the labels and found out that they’re just brewed here on the mainland in some mega brewery, like any other beer. And so I quit buying it. I was disappointed but I don’t blame them. And I’ll still buy their beer when I go back to Hawaii.
Have to admit, I’m disappointed to hear this. I know it’s psychological but sipping Kona makes me feel closer to Hawaii. Now, knowing it is Mainland made… might as well go for something cheaper.
For almost 40 years, mainline brewws that are “Hawaii centric” like Primo, for instance, have been mostly produced on the mainland. Before then, Primo was made at their brewery at Pearlridge. Unfortunately the game of globalization has forced “Hawaii centric” brews (as well as food, check out King’s Hawaiian) to move their production to the mainland. It is when there is enough capacity for the brand on the mainland does it come back and get produced here.
I kind of already figured these beers were produced in the mainland. However, with so many local breweries popping up, there are much better options, in my opinion.
I agree with Katie. Kauai Island Brewing is one of my favorite local microbreweries and still a locally crafted beer. Many of the really successful craft breweries are being bought out by the “big” boys and in my mind no longer represent craft beer. Most of Kona Brewery beer is made on the mainland in several places by the “Craft Beer Alliance” (CBA), which is 33% owned by Budweiser and the 9th largest brewer in the world. CBA acquired Kona in October 2010..in other words Kona is really CBA and can no longer be called a craft beer. IMHO
theres a new place now – kauai beer co. theirs is pretty good too – closer to town in lihue.
Local definitely matters to me, but I also read labels 100% of the time – you can never assume a “local” anything is actually made locally. And I agree with Katie, there are better, actual local options these days!