Skip to main content

Kona Brewing Wants to Kick-Start Your Beach Bod with a New Light Beer

kona brewing
Kona Brewing Company/Facebook
It may only be January, but as television, movies, and every other media outlet will tell you, it is never too early to start thinking about your summer beach bod. Who doesn’t want a six-pack and well-defined shoulders when you’re sitting poolside at a resort — say, in Hawaii — scoping out the bevy of beauties around you?

Yes, workouts will be necessary (we’ve got plenty, if you’re looking). Eating healthy is on the list, too, but what about those of us that just really love beer? We all know that light beers are typically flavorless, and the calories in craft beers can add up quickly (according to this site, a pint of 7 percent ABV beer has around 280 calories), but Hawaii’s Kona Brewing Company is back with a solution: a 99-calorie beer they’ve called Kanaha.

kona brewing company kanaha
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kanaha (pronounced ka-NA-ha) is a sessionable blonde ale made with mango (real mango, not just extract, mind you). The resulting beer is tropical and fruity, with light malty notes that are accented by Mosaic and Amarillo hops. The final product comes in at 4.2 percent ABV and only 18 IBU — basically, the perfect beer for when you’re ready to sit down and work on your tan all day long (or, in this case, get in shape for doing that).

Recommended Videos

Kanaha, for those wondering, is Hawaiian for “forty,” and was inspired by the Kanaha beach, a stretch of paradisaical waterfront (let’s be real, what beach in Hawaii isn’t a paradise?) between Kahului Bay and Spreckelsville Beach on the north shore of Maui. Kanaha beach is a world-renowned location for kitesurfing, which is reflected in the labeling of the beer.

(Note to the marketing department at Kona: We realize this will take a bit away from the 99-calorie thing, but forties of a beer named “Forty” seem all too appropriate. You’re welcome.)

While Kona originally released the beer exclusively at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa on Maui in October, it is now available nationwide. You can find out where you can get Kanaha and other Kona beers (such as the recently re-released Koko Brown Ale) here.

Heading to Hawaii soon and looking for some places to have a few Konas and cocktails? Check out some local picks here.

Feature image courtesy of Kona Brewing Company/Facebook.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Four Roses is releasing a new single barrel bourbon collection
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its flagship Single Barrel Bourbon, Four Roses is launching a new Single Barrel Collection
Four Roses

Four Roses is one of the most well-known and respected names in the bourbon world. It's been crafting high-quality bourbon since 1888. While you can't go wrong with the distillery's classic (and inexpensive) Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, it shines with its single-barrel expressions.
Four Roses Single Barrel Collection

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its flagship Single Barrel Bourbon, Four Roses is launching a new Single Barrel Collection. Along with the classic and beloved Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV, the brand is releasing three new whiskeys: OBSF, OESK, and OESO. All of these new expressions are matured between 7-9 years and utilize Four Roses' proprietary combination of mash bills and various yeast strains featuring ten different recipes. If you enjoy the first Single Barrel Collection, you can get excited because the distillery plans to release a new set annually.

Read more
The truth about whiskey vs. whisky: More than just a spelling issue
It's all about location in the great whiskey vs. whisky debate
Whiskey cheers

It's a debate as old as time. And no, we aren't talking about the right way to pronounce the word "pecan." We're discussing the debate over spelling the name of one of the world's most popular spirits. Is it "whiskey," or is the proper spelling "whisky?"

Few things are more annoying to whiskey drinkers than someone mistakenly spelling the spirit whiskey when it should be spelled as whisky. If you're new to the spirit, you might not understand why this is a big deal.  Well, it is.

Read more
Sierra Nevada to drop new NA beer variety pack
New NA beers from a beloved brand
Sierra Nevada NA beer variety pack.

One of the best tasting non-alcoholic beers in the nation is about to come in a variety pack. Sierra Nevada will drop the bundle in December, set to include favorites like Trail Pass IPA and Trail Pass Golden along with two brand new releases.

The bundle will see the debut of Trail Pass Brewveza, a NA blonde ale inspired by Mexican lagers, and a Trail Pass Hazy IPA, featuring juicy flavors and plenty of citrus. You can get your hands on these cans from coast to coast starting next month. The 12-pack includes three each of all four beers. Additionally, the new hazy IPA will be sold on its own in six-packs.

Read more