Waialua

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: With a Hawaiian- themed brand, it’s no surprise to us that they’ve decided to use a fruit that’s almost synonymous with the state. In this case, the execution is quite good, with a pleasant pineapple flavor pairing nicely with the drink’s moderately carbonated base. The product is sweetened with sugar to the tune of 35g, but it’s not too sweet to the point where it’s overpowering. Packaging is clean and appealing, with a retro-style label that’s easy to read and sets the stage for the high quality product that’s inside the bottle. Perhaps our only question is just how well a pineapple soda is going to sell, especially when more mainstream flavors (like root beer and cream soda) are also part of the line.

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Of the Waialua lineup, this is certainly the most unique flavor that they’ve got, with added KonaRed coffee fruit extract for, presumably, both flavor and antioxidants. From a flavor perspective, the taste of this product is somewhat similar to a black cherry flavored CSD, but with a little less tartness to it. It’s sweet and has a fair amount of carbonation, which makes for a very enjoyable drinking experience. However, “coffee fruit” is something that’s likely to make some consumers assume a coffee flavor, which is simply the result of coffee fruit being a relatively obscure thing in the US marketplace. From a packaging perspective, we like what they’ve done, using a simple label that has an authentic-looking Hawaiian theme. It’s both easy on the eyes and appealing to the senses, which is exactly what a product of this type needs from its packaging. Overall, Waialua’s KonaRed is a concept that might seem esoteric to some, but the execution of this product is top notch.

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Of the Waialua lineup, this is certainly one of the more traditional flavors. It’s light and crisp, with a sugar-sweetened body that has notes of licorice and vanilla. It’s slightly creamy in its finish, but definitely not the creamiest root beer that we’ve ever sampled. That said, this is a great product to pair with food, with the sweetness and crispness of the carbonation giving the product the right flavors to pair with savory items. Packaging has a one of a kind retro Hawaiian theme to it, which, since the product is made by a Hawaiian company, feels authentic. The long neck bottle is visually appealing and simple, with a lack of functional call-outs (as so many products have nowadays) making for a product that quickly whets the palate. Overall, a very enjoyable product.