Thursday 21st of April 2011 05:28:17 PM

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There is a very large outside patio area with a variety of table seating. The small interior area features a double sided bar surrounded by tall table seating. The taps generally include all the Kona standards as well as several seasonal offerings and some guest taps. When we visited, the Koko brown had just come on but I also enjoyed the Cascadia Imperial red and Da Grind Buzz coffee stout.
As JoeLambic points out, there is no bottling line at Kona so any bottles you purchase (even in Hawaii) are shipped from the mainland. I find that disappointing. It's also possible that some the their standard kegs are shipped here as well so you never know were your longboard or pipeline actually come from.
The menu includes a nice selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza and entrees that often feature their brews or spent grain. There is a decent amount of parking in their lot off Pawai Place (not the highway).

Wednesday 24th of June 2009 08:03:34 PM

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My favorite place to be when visiting the Big Island.

This location produces most if not all of the keg Kona Brewing beer sold in the state of Hawaiʻi. All bottled products and kegs sold on the Mainland are produced at another facility.

The beer selection includes the entire Kona Brewing lineup including some beers only available at the pubs. The list includes: Big Wave Golden Ale, Fire Rock Pale Ale, Longboard Lager, Pipeline Porter (made with 100% Kona coffee), Wailua Wheat (made with passion fruit), Duke's Blonde Ale, Lavaman Red Ale, Castaway IPA, Hula Hefeweizen, and Black Sand Porter. Seasonal beers such as Blowhole Barleywine, a California Common, and an organic saison are also available from time to time. One soft drink to note is the gingerade made with Big Island ginger and organic lemon juice.

I've had the chance to try most of their lineup and find them all well-made. My favorites include the IPA, the Pale Ale, and the occasional hefeweizen (no fruit!). Beware of the IPA though since it comes in around 7%abv.

Most beers are served in standard 16oz "sleeve" pints. A few stronger or specialty beers are served in tulip glasses. Prices are reasonable at $5 a pint. Happy hour reduces the price but I don't recall how much at the moment.

For the beer geek who doesn't like super-cold glasses, don't make the mistake I did my first trip and ask for a warm glass. The beer will be too warm by the time you're done with it. There is usually enough turnover of the glassware anyway so it never gets too cold.

Food offerings have expanded over the years. When I first visited the Big Island, pupus (appetizers) and pizza was about it. The current menu has expanded to include sandwiches, salads, and entrees.

Foods I've enjoyed more than once are:
- the KBCʻilla Poʻokela pupu, a Kona quesadilla with kalua pork
- Imu Pork sandwich
- and the Kamuela, Captain Cook, and (my favorite) Pepperoni Aliʻi pizzas

There are also "pie of the week" and "slice of the day" specials.

If you like garlic, be sure to try the Caesar salad dressing. It's so thick it's more like a paste but has a nice garlic bite to it.

Food prices aren't cheap but reasonable for Hawaiʻi.

The pub is split into an indoor bar area with limited seating and the outdoor dining area. Seating at all tables indoors and out are handled at the host stand near the entrance. Waiting to be seated can take a while when they are busy. The bar area can also be packed at certain times but everyone is having a good time so it never seems a problem.

Atmosphere is very friendly and families with children are welcome.

While the place can be busy, service has always been great. I do tend to sit at the bar more often than getting a table so weigh this accordingly. I do find it nice that the bar-staff remembers me even though I only visit about 1 week each year.

Lastly, thanks to changes in local liquor laws, patrons can now purchase growlers (1/2 gallon glass jug) of beer to go. This is done at the "growler shack" located between the parking lot and entrance to the pub.