Kona Koko Brown
Greetings (or Aloha) beer lovers and welcome to another edition of NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.
Tonight's featured beer is Kona Brewing Company's Koko Brown Nut Brown Ale. And now for a little story...
In August of 2009 my family took a trip to the Big Island and I was very excited to visit Kona Brewing Company. I've been a fan of their Fire Rock Pale Ale, Big Wave Golden Ale, Pipeline Porter and Wailua Wheat.
I always enjoy drinking beer "from the source" and this was no exception. On tap at the Kona Brewing Company Kailua-Kona Pub & Brewery was a new nut brown ale flavored with toasted coconut. I liked it so much I talked my family into going their twice so I could drink this incredible beer.
According to what I've recently read this beer was first tapped at Kona’s Kailua-Kona pub in the summer of 2009 under the name Coco Loco. From my first sip I told the folks at the brewery that THIS needs to be bottled, but at the time they didn't have a plan to bottle it. Well, flash forward and (drum roll please) HERE IT IS!!!
The above photos were taken back in 2009...the beer...Koko Brown Nut Brown Ale.
From Kona Brewing Company's website: "A Nut Brown worth cracking - Is there anything more iconic of the lush tropics than the coconut? The delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise. Kick back with a Koko Brown, brewed with real toasted coconut, and savor the mahogany color and smooth, roasty malt taste."
"Koko Brown pairs well with coconut and caramel flavors, such as Thai curries, BBQ meats and carne asada. Its refreshing nutty aroma makes for the perfect beer after a day on the water."
Let's get started!
Appearance : Pours a beautiful dark brown with a reddish hue. A thin head that quickly dissipates with minimal lacing. Aroma : The scent of coconut is big (as one would expect). A little nutty, slightly malty and some hints of chocolate. Taste : The coconut and nutty (almond) flavors dominate with a touch of toasty caramel malt, chocolate, and a tiny bit of hop bitterness. The coconut hits immediately and it lingers on and on. The aftertaste is fantastic. Overall : I am so glad they bottled this beer and I wish it was a year-round offering. The bottled version isn't as good as the one on tap (close), but the coconut flavor and aroma are bold without overpowering the beer aspect of the ale and I am an absolute fan. If you like brown ales and coconut THIS beer is for you!!!
At 5.5% ABV this one is worth having a few of.
Cheers!
Mark Harvey
Love this detailed article!
ReplyDeleteThank you anonymous commenter. I picked up three more six packs of Koko Brown yesterday. My local BevMo is out and I needed to stock up before it goes away in early May (I found these three at a local Knob Hill Foods and I plan to go on an expedition to find at least another case). This is quickly becoming THE beer I want to drink when I get home from work.
ReplyDeleteThe 3rd in the Aloha Series, Koko Brown joins Wailua Wheat and Pipeline Porter in the Kona Brewing Company lineup. It will be available in 12 ounce bottles and draught February 21 through May 1, 2011 in the west coast states of Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
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