Fire Rock Pale Ale - Kona Brewing Co.

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Fire Rock Pale Ale is a beautiful color, somewhere between copper and golden brown. It's head is off-white and frothy. There is a slight haze to it and carbonation is noticeable. It smells great- I am picking up pineapple, grapefruit, as well as some nice malt sugars. The citrus scent is also present, as advertised. Wow, this is a magnificent APA! Great balance of fruity notes, toasted malts, and unique hops. This beer coats the mouth nicely and the sugary taste fades out to a somewhat dry finish. Medium bodied and slightly warming on the way down. When I first tasted this on tap at Firewaters in Atlantic City, I thought it was almost hoppy enough to be like an IPA, but I am not getting that at all this time from the bottle. Overall, a real treat... do not hesitate to buy!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 21:45:01 | More by Neorebel

schoolboy

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

We just hit town, staying at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach, and in the first 20 minutes of walking around we saw two convenience stores that had Kona Fire Rock (one was around $12/6 pack and the other was $10/6 pack). Neither price seemed that steep for the extremely hot location, and I was surprised to see such a good product widely available. Honolulu seems to have benefited from free enterprise (competition).

It's a nice brew. Not at all strong or offensive in any way, yet flavorful. It goes down very creamy and smooth and multiple beers should be very nice.

I am really tired from a long day of flying, so this hits the spot nicely. I hope to try more things from Kona while we are here.

P.S.
I also had this on tap and it tastes exactly the same. This must mean the bottling process is doing a good job.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2009 04:05:08 | More by schoolboy

socon67

New York

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Copper pour with very nice lacing. Clear and with a white foam head that settles nicely.

S - Scent of fresh malt, some interesting hoppy smell, and a bit of floral vibe.

T - Really enjoying this. A bit of sticky hops that has a good mellow taosted flavor. What is more surprising is the coplexity in flavors for a pale ale.

M - Solid beer that is sessionable and good with food.

O - A really good pale ale that I'd have again. Glad to see more Kona in NY.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 17:16:14 | More by socon67

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap into a shaker glass
A- Poured a clear orange color with lots of visible streaming carbonation, off-white frothy head left lots of dense glass coating lace
S- Big aroma of peach, grapefruit, mango, and tropical hops
T- Lots of peach, grapefruit, and mango hop flavors. Very tropical and fruit forward. Moderate to mild bitterness.
M- Dry, medium body and carbonation
O- A very good fruit forward pale ale with lots of tropical hop flavors, fitting I suppose for a brewery in Hawaii.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 00:25:50 | More by Hoptometrist

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

i had this on-tap at a local pizza place. Review is from notes.
It has a nice amber color body, no head but a little bit of lace around the edge of the glass. The smell is malty and with some slight citrus hops. The taste is of malt first then some bitter hops with a pepper after taaste. The mouth feel is very nice and crisp. Overall this is a good pale ale and i would drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 06:01:35 | More by chefhatt

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, transparent orange-brown with a fine-bubbled off-white head. Aroma is not strong but appetizing, malty with touches of spice and fruit. Flavor is rich, mainly malty with spicy hints and a nice hoppy edge. Mouthfeel is edgy so it seems to dance on the tongue.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2008 01:46:50 | More by Cyberkedi

rgrholmes168

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured a pretty nice amber color with about a one finger head. The foam disappated fairly quickly, but left plenty of lace on the sides of the glass. The beer was nice and clear with plenty of carbonation showing in the glass.

This APA is a little bit heavier on the malt than the others that I have had. The beer is a medium body beer that does not have a trace of hops or bitterness. There is a good hint of caramel in the taste of this beer and you get the same caramel in the aroma.

This is a pretty good APA. I really like how it is a little bit heavier on the malt than other APAs. This set its a little bit apart from others.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2008 02:02:58 | More by rgrholmes168

riversider76

New York

4.22/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a golden orange with a thin white head. Good retention,and a very nice lace. Aroma is of sweet fruit and citrus hops. Body is light to medium with some carbonation.Taste is of fruit and piney citrus hops. Hints of bready malts are also there. This is one good beer!!

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2009 00:02:01 | More by riversider76

nosbocaj

Oregon

4.2/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark copper color with a small white head that leaves little lacing.
S: Smells of floral and citrus hops. The smell is also fairly light.
T: Great flavor. Tastes of light malts and floral/citrus hops. Very enjoyable.
M: Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.
D: Very high. A solid Pale Ale thats easy to drink and tastes great.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2007 18:42:02 | More by nosbocaj

magine

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a nonic.

Pours a clear dark copper, with an off white small head. Head settles to a lace layer. Some patchy lace. Good carbonation and bubbles rise as it sits. Pretty good looks.

Brew smells of a good balance of caramel malts and floral and citrus hops. Good balanced nose.

Brew is good and balanced; sweet caramel and nutty malts. Good floral and citrus flavors here. Brew is very easy drinking and mellow. Great flavors and balance. Honestly a great tasting and drinking APA here.

This is a case worthy brew here; great flavor and balance. Could drink it by the truck load. My first brew from Kona Brewing and I am very impressed. Great stuff - a stand out APA here.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 02:22:28 | More by magine

HardTarget

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

05-28-2008
Re-reviewed, bottle sold in Texas.
Well, since learning that this beer is actually brewed on the mainland when you find it in a bottle (draft on the islands is from the Hawaii brewery), I feel a little deceived by all the Hawaiian marketing all over the bottle.
My first review is pretty much on target. The malt is a bit under attenuated and overly sweet. The hops are pleasant but nothing exciting. The body is a bit heavier than I remembered.
A fair beer, but there are so many better pales out there.
Overall: 3.25

01-08-2005
Got a sixer in Hawaii. Noted "packaged on OCT2704" and "Hawaii style"
Aroma: Biscuit malts and Grapefruit hops.
Appearance: Dark golden brown with a thin white head that collared.
Flavor: Nice mild grapefruit/hop taste on a solid clean malt base. There is also a slight spicy note that might be from the hops.
Mouthfeel: Firm carbonation with a clean finish
Overall Impression: Very refreshing and enjoyable. I get the Hawaiian style bit, it has a slight tropic fruit edge. Enjoyed it greatly.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2005 03:38:32 | More by HardTarget

melloashello

Tennessee

4.18/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a copper color with little to no head. Smell of floral hops and sweet malty goodness. At first sip, I immediately noticed the abundance of hop presence. Pretty hoppy for a pale ale, which I love! The beer is not too heavy and I could easily throw back of a couple of these. Overall, pretty impressed with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 01:44:41 | More by melloashello

hosehead83

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Chill-hazed copper in color, with a moderate cap of bone-white foam.
Aroma-Toasted malt, faint floral hop note
Taste-Toasted malt, herbal and floral hop notes, citrus -rind bitterness snakes in and out balanced by caramel and a bit of mineral essence. Very tasty and exceptionally well-balanced. Nothing over-the-top, just classic American pale. Excellent flavor and character. Great with a hunk of aged white cheddar.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 18:14:25 | More by hosehead83

stevecee2003

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I can see this beer being my favourite (everyday) beer.

Served in (apparently the new design) bottle. Came with "packaged on" dating stamped on the neck.

Pours wonderfully. Cloudy Amber color. Soft white head, filled with cotton. The smell has hints of slight citrus. Orange maybe? With the hops coming through.

The taste is full, rich with hops, yet a nice malt flavor that seeps through, like butterscotch with some honey. And of course that bit of citrus. A very nice combination. This is one nice tasting beer! Not too strong as IPA's are prone to be. With the Fire Rock designation, it is a nice Pale Ale.

Although a nice feel on the tongue, I don't know how drinkable it is as a session beer. For me it may be a bit strong. For others it may well be just right. Certainly it has a nice taste.

Notes: This beer was a real surprise. I have tried Kona before, and just related them to some sort of Island Micro-Brewery that got picked up by the big guys. But this- this has some REAL flavor!

I can see this beer being my favourite (everyday) beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2007 03:47:39 | More by stevecee2003

psyphin

Missouri

4.15/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Deep clear copper with a 1 inch off white head that left lots of lacing.

S - Moderate malt backdrop gives way to american citrus hops with a great tangerine and grapefruit aroma.

T - Oranges and munich malt dominate the palate with a solid bitterness.

M - Perfect to style, medium bodied with a small bubbled carbonation.

D - My favorite beer when I go to the islands. Ive consumed more of this beer than I should probably admit.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2009 16:23:19 | More by psyphin

JDV

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark amber with a big, big lasting head all the way to the end with nice lacing to boot. Big juicy, caramelly aromatic sweetness with light hops in the smell. Taste consists of a quite nice hop presence along with some good sweetness to go along with it. Quite a flavorful pale, balanced, and one of my favorites for sure. Just what I hoped for. Overall very good, and one I wish I could get here.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 05:30:42 | More by JDV

thekanna

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark orange bordering on brown color with quite active carbonation and a thin, white head.

S: Sweet citrus with some toasted malts and a good helping of hops.

T/M: Sweet malts, apricot, orange and other citrus lead to a moderate hop bite and a good bit of juiciness. Smooth to a slight bite... I like that.

D: Fairly impressed with this Hawaiian beer. Overall, Kona did a good job.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2010 07:21:24 | More by thekanna

JamnesCameron

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorites during a recent vacation to Oahu. Ubiquitous on the island.

Nice copper color with a light tan head that drops but leaves some nice lacing and depth markings with each sip.

Aroma of mint and citrus with a grainy caramelly middle.

First sip of caramelly malt, mint and citrus hop flavors, a little grainy. Nice broad bitterness. Not overpowering, but a good balance. Fruit esters from the yeast. Finish is medium with a dry bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium. Dry.

Very good drinkability. I could sit by the pool and drink this all day. Very nice sessionable beer. Nothing aggressive.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2011 21:02:54 | More by JamnesCameron

jadpsu

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Born on date 03/21/10. Purchased in a mix 6 at the Ingles in Loganville.
Pours a pale copper color with a decent off white head. Aroma has some earthy sents and floral hops.
Taste: a little citrus and tangy taste that has a light bitter and dry bite.
Malty on the tongue and then hoppy on the swallow with a dry malty finish.
This had some good balance and I enjoyed it alot.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2011 02:52:28 | More by jadpsu

BucannonXC5

California

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Color was caramel and toffee looking. About an inch of head. Lacing on the top was noticeable and seemed to last a long while. Decent amount of film on the sides that stayed sporadic throughout the tasting.

Good smelling pale ale that comes off like nothing else. Carmel malts come in there with light citrus notes.

First taste was caramel malts. A bit of some roasty malts with a bitter alcohol bit at the end. Very malty.

Medium body. Average carbonation. Bitter finish.

Good beer to start off my Kona variety 12-pack. Really what a pale ale should be.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 04:39:03 | More by BucannonXC5

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: 1/4" off-white head that left a nice lacing over honey-amber liquid.

S: Citrus and grassy hops and sweet malt.

T: Tangerine, pine, and grassy hops with a honey-malt backbone.

M: Medium level of viscosity and a medium level of fine carbonation.

O: Quite drinkable, sweet with a nice level of bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 23:31:11 | More by DaftCaskBC

bubseymour

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A = copper and clear with 2 finger soap sudsy head. Moderate carbonation.

S = malty

T = Very nice pale ale. crisp finish with sweet and caramel start

Mouthfeel - very creamy on toungue. Feels much heavier than it is

Overall - A really nice pale ale. One of the better ones I've sampled so far.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 22:55:50 | More by bubseymour

mattcrill

Ohio

4.11/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: Light crackery malt nose with a touch of earthy and slightly woody hop character. Clean fermentation notes.

Appearance: Deep amber pour with a thick and sudsy off-white head.

Flavor: A touch of bready sweetness up front followed by more earthy and slightly citric hop character. Minerally water profile which adds to the depth and character of the flavor. Balance is nearly even with a slight nod to the hop character. Finish is long and slightly bitter. Aftertaste is clean leaving the palette wanting more.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. Just a touch of creaminess and even a little resiny/oily. No alcohol heat.

Overall impression: An immensely drinkable, complex, and refreshing pale ale. Seems a bit heavier handed on the malt than what I'm used to but really enjoyable. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 20:46:55 | More by mattcrill

SheepNutz

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a tulip-style glass. It pours a hazy medium apricot color with two fingers of head. There is a little bit of lacing. The smell is nice and floral, lots of hop presence. There's some underlying malt, but I'm loving the hops. The taste is nice and malty at first, but then there's a nice rush of citrusy hops. Lots of citrus going on here, especially orange. The mouthfeel is decently thick for a pale ale, and the drinkability is great. A nice solid pale ale! Thanks to Kev or Chris (I can't remember which, dammit!) for this fine brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2005 23:09:00 | More by SheepNutz

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured cold from a 12oz brown bottle into a standard ale glass.
A - Copper w/ 3 finger off white head that leaves an average amount of lace

S - A pleasing, exciting aroma of crystal malts and cascade hops. An after scent of piney hops comes through with a gentle swirl

M - Medium bodied w/ a citric hop feel. Maltiness gives a nice balance with a sweet finish.

T - A masterful blend of citric hops. A nice pale ale since the taste has woodiness, crystal malt flavor with nutty and dry tastes, but still sweet enough to balance the bitterness that all the flavoring hops have to offer.

D - A great tasting pale ale. So well balanced and this version deserves its place among the top American pale ales

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2007 00:55:37 | More by Slatetank