Perhaps you’ve spotted a colorful new canned beverage with a charming bird logo on the grocery shelves at some local stores. The product, Kōlea Hop Water, was introduced with a soft launch here in October by Kailua Beverage Company, which was founded last year by Kona Brewing Company’s leadership team. The two sister companies are owned by PV Brewing Partners, a group that acquired Kona Brewing Hawai‘i in 2020. The craft brewery has been operating here since 1994.
Leading the Kona Brewing Hawai‘i team as president since January 2024, Nathalie Carisey joined the group in 2022 and now serves as president of Kailua Beverage Company as well. In a press release issued at the time Kōlea Hop Water was introduced here, she said, “We’ve crafted this product with our passion for beverage innovation and are excited to offer it to our community as a new way to experience the flavors of the islands.”
Kōlea (the Hawaiian name for the Pacific Golden Plover) represents the first brand offered by Kailua Beverage Company. The name was inspired by the playful, adventurous antics of the bird that hops from island to island in this Hawaiian archipelago before making its annual journey to the Arctic.
“Released last fall, this refreshing, sparkling hop water, really started gaining momentum in January with expanded distribution to both on—and off—premise locations (retail, restaurants and bars) in Hawai‘i,” says Katie Lefsrud, vice president of sales and marketing. “While hop water has been trending in popularity on the mainland for quite a while now, it often takes a bit longer for new concepts to reach Hawai‘i.”
That’s about to change with this beverage industry marketing powerhouse in charge of building the brand. Currently, available only in Hawai‘i, production is estimated to total 25,000 case equivalents (defined as 24 12-ounce servings) this year. Future plans include distribution to the mainland and, depending on demand, the addition of more locally inspired tropical fruit flavors infused into the hop water, according to Katie.
Bubbly, crisp and clean, Kōlea Hop Water is completely free of alcohol, sugar, carb, calorie and gluten. As a result, Katie says, this refreshing beverage offers something for everybody—children, those with restricted diets, and anyone taking a break between brews.
It’s produced now in four distinct flavors: Classic, a balanced blend of simply Mosaic and Citra hops; Papaya, Mosaic and Citra hops paired with one of Hawai’i’s favorite fruit flavors; Lychee, a perfect blend of Mosaic and Citra hops with lychee’s rose-meets-strawberry delicate flavors; and Blood Orange, sweet and tart taste sensations brighten the crisp hop flavors.
“Hops, however, with their citrusy, piney notes will always be the ‘star of the show,’” says Jack Albanese, vice president of operations, a post that has him overseeing all beer and hop water production – from grain to bottle or can – at the production facility in Kailua-Kona. Offered only in cans, Kōlea Hop Water sources the cans from a manufacturer based on O‘ahu.
“The classic hop varieties of our sparkling water are the same two used in our beers. They arrive at our facility from the mainland and Australia in 100% hop-derived distilled liquid form,” Jack says.
Importing hops is a necessity, he says, as they are not cultivated in Hawai‘i. Agricultural experts say hops thrive in regions with a temperate climate, meaning ideal daytime temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit—one thing Hawai‘i can’t deliver on.
Both Jack and Katie are malihinis (newcomers) to Hawai‘i, having relocated to Kona from the mainland in the fall of 2024. Katie brings more than 10 years of experience with Molson Coors in Chicago, and Jack, a 13-year veteran of the beer industry, was most recently vice president of operations at Terrapin Beer Co. in Athens, Georgia.
They may be new to the island, but they are both fully aware of and committed to the philosophy and culture embraced by Kona Brewing throughout its three decades here. Social and environmental responsibility are core principles coupled with giving back to the local community. Whenever possible, the company purchases ingredients for its drinks from local farmers, recycles water in its production facility to conserve usage and powers a portion of its equipment with solar energy.
“It’s important for both brands to support local,” Katie says. “This year Kōlea was a sponsor of the Merrie Monarch Festival’s live broadcast, and in honor of our namesake, we donate a percentage of our net proceeds to help protect native birds and preserve their island habitat.”
Charged with setting the vision for Kailua Beverage Company, and busy now producing and promoting Kōlea Hop Water, neither Jack nor Katie would comment on the possibility of more new beverages on the horizon. However, Jack says, “We are always exploring new ideas and working toward delivering new products here in our innovation lab.”
Try Kōlea at both Kona Brew Pubs—one located adjacent to the production facility in Kailua-Kona; the other located in Hawai‘i Kai on O‘ahu.
KoleaHopWater.com
Hops with their citrusy, piney notes will always be the stars of the show in our Kōlea sparkling water blends.” — Jack Albanese.
Kōlea’s entire production currently is dedicated to distribution in Hawai‘i. We’re offering a local product to our local community first.” — Katie Lefsrud.