Kona Brewing (Kona Big Wave)
Mass-market golden ale and other beers sold on island imagery and "aloha" themes. AB InBev places Big Wave in its premium portfolio.
Status: Watchlist
- Founded
- 1994
- Website
- konabigwave.com
- HQ
- USA
- Manufacturing
- USA
- Ownership type
- Conglomerate subsidiary
- Parent
- AB InBev
- Acquired
- 2020
- Status since
- 2026-10-30
Ownership
Anheuser-Busch bought the rest of Craft Brew Alliance in 2020. To clear regulators, the Hawaii brewery and pubs were sold to PV Brewing Partners, so the beer brewed in Hawaii and the Kona sold on the mainland now have different owners.
Why Watchlist
Kona sells its beer on Hawaiian origin and island imagery. Trade press reported in 2012 and 2019 that most Kona sold on the US mainland was brewed in mainland breweries. A 2017 class action over the Hawaii impression settled in 2019 with refunds and reported label changes, and since 2020 the Hawaii brewery has had a different owner from the mainland brand.
Reversibility
What would change our verdict
Cans and product pages state the brewery location prominently, or mainland Kona is brewed in Hawaii.
Track This Brand
When the verdict changes, you'll hear first.
Brands on this Ledger shift status as ownership changes or new investigations surface. The newsletter is how subscribers find out, and where the full reporting lives.
No spam. Nobody pays me to say nice things. Unsubscribe anytime.