Kona Castaway IPA
Alcohol by Volume: 6.0%

Intro:
No matter how many Corona commercials you are exposed to these days, you know you can do better when looking for a beer to enjoy while sitting on he beach. Much better. Kona Brewing has been making quality beer on the Big Island since 1994, and I’ll definitely take any of their wares over what Corona is slinging.

The Castaway IPA was previously available on draught in Hawaii, but this bottled version has been changed up a bit for distribution. It has a different hop profile (more tropical flavors), lower bitterness, lower ABV and a cleaner finish; all positive changes if you ask me.

Description:
Pours a dark golden with a very thin head.Certainly getting some tropical fruit hop flavors in the aroma; mango and citrus stick out the most. Fits the expectations for a “Hawaiian-Style IPA”. Flavor is more of the same tropical fruit hops, with a solid pale malt backbone sitting in the background. An assertive bitterness finishes things off. There is very little sweetness, and it is quite easy drinking and clean.

Overall, this is a very solid IPA that features the tropical hop flavors that many, including myself, have come to love. Kona brews this with Galaxy, Citra, Simcoe & Millenium hops, and they certainly do the job. This joins Kona’s year-round lineup of beers, and assuming this is available at a good price point, I could see this becoming part of the rotation in our house. We don’t have a beach at our place, but I’ll happily relax on our patio with this one.

Verdict: 3 1/2 out of 5 Booyas
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Commercial Description/Press Release:

Kona Brewing Company has announced that Castaway IPA, a longtime local favorite at Hawaii pubs and restaurants, will be coming ashore to the U.S. mainland beginning April 14, 2014. The Hawaiian-style IPA will be available in 12oz bottles and on draught in major Kona markets across the U.S.

Castaway IPA pours copper-colored with touches of tropical mango and passion fruit and bold, citrusy hops. It’s balanced by rich caramel malts and has a clean, crisp finish. This new Hawaiian-style IPA will join year-round Kona favorites Longboard Island Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale, and Fire Rock Pale Ale.

Said Kona Brewmaster Billy Smith: “IPAs are one of the fastest-growing segments in today’s craft beer industry, and we think mainland craft beer lovers will appreciate how distinctive Castaway is from many current IPA offerings. The citrus, tropical and mango influences combine with what you’d expect from a typical IPA to create a drinking experience that takes you back to the islands.”

Castaway IPA specs:
Style: Hawaiian-style IPA
ABV: 6.0%
Bitterness: 55 IBU
Hops: Galaxy, Citra, Simcoe, Millennium
Package: Six-packs of 12oz bottles and on draught
Release date: April 14, 2014

In the interest of full disclosure to satisfy the FTC regulations, this review was of a sample bottle received from the brewery.