Fire Rock Pale Ale - Kona Brewing Co.

Dhoff1109

Hawaii

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a copperish color into a pint glass, with about a finger of white head and good lacing. There was a slight citris smell with a touch of caramel . The hoppy citris taste quickly turns into a sweeter malty finish. It was medium bodied and had medium to low carbonation. Overall an average beer, which has decent drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2010 06:10:58 | More by Dhoff1109

donniecuffs

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a nice copper color into a pint glass, with a finger of white head, little carbonation, and good lacing. The smell had the feintest hint of lemon citrus, and was instead dominated by caramel and maltiness. The taste confirmed this, with the citrus aspect fading instantly to maltiness mid-palate and through to the finish. This beer would certainly benefit from more hop balance. The body was thinner than expected, given the smell and flavor, but after all, this is a pale ale. The thinner body did help this beer's sessionability. I wouldn't mind sitting down and throwing a few back.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2010 05:53:47 | More by donniecuffs

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured an orangish /amber with good carbonation and a small dirty head. Nose is floral, nutty nose, slightly hoppy and malty. Taste is bready malt profile and predominantly sweet with a little hoppiness in the finish. Easily drinkable but pretty heavy due to bread and caramel.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2010 02:44:10 | More by barleywinefiend

kshankar

District of Columbia

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Amber pour, with a smaller head with decent retention.

Aroma is of sweet caramel malts and hops

Taste is hoppy with a decent malt backing, balance is fine on this one. Caramel malts work well in this one with the stronger but not so overbearing hop profile

Mouthfeel is medium, slight carbonation. Drinkability is good, decent pale ale here.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2010 22:47:31 | More by kshankar

jnezda

Texas

3.08/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Beer for breakfast anyone? I was in the DFW airport heading off to the west coast for some hiking and trying to get over a slight cold so thought I would stop in at Blue Mesa for some spicy tacos and a beer. They have just recently added Kona Fire Rock to the taps so I thought I would give it a whirl.

As a complement to tacos this beer could does not work out so well. Virtually no head, which I will chalk up to the establishment, light amber in color and slightly cloudy. The color was a little misleading since it was much darker than I expected for a pale ale. The smell had strong hints of fruit, berries mostly and would seem more fitting for a amber ale than for a pale. The taste was the same with hints of fruit and a clean and otherwise forgettable finish. Slightly bready with a full mouthfeel but all in all I was expecting a bit more with a name like fire rock. For a breakfast beer this would have gone better with fruit pancakes than tacos. This was my first Kona beer and is not leaving me longing to try the others.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2009 20:39:38 | More by jnezda

DNICE555

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Plan B sizzle

A - Dark copper - very clear. Small head

S - Malty, fruity, minimal hops. Not impressed.

T - Oranges and malt dominate. Thankfully some hops to balance out.

M - Medium body and carbonation. Nice feel to it.

D - Not a bad pale ale. Has some umph to it. I'm feelina Kona so far.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2009 04:08:45 | More by DNICE555

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

Spineypanda

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my more favorite Pale Ales, Fire Rock has the ability to refresh me and give me the hops I crave.

It is bitter enough for me to feel sustained for a short period and a color that is almost like a red ale. It has a nice floral aroma and the body is pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2009 03:51:13 | More by Spineypanda

rtratzlaff

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Little to no head or lace on this beer. It may have been served a bit too cold. The body is a copper gold.

S: Not a ton of nose, but a decent hop aroma with toasted and some caramel malt

T: Althought a good bit of malt character and some caramel flavors there is a soapy character to the hops. I could also use less crystal malt in this.

M: Decent mouthfeel with ample carbonation

D: Not too bad, I was slightly surprised and could enjoy a few of these.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2009 00:45:52 | More by rtratzlaff

deanhead

Vermont

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Brilliantly clear amber colored beer with a nice lace, and respectable carbonation.
Aroma is malty, slightly bready
Malt forward taste with this beer. No real hop bitterness stands out here. Fairly well balanced beer.
Light to medium bodied beer that is fairly drinkable. It's a good example of a an American Pale Ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2009 12:54:13 | More by deanhead

Durge

Connecticut

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

Happened upon this on tap at Maggie McFly's Restaurant in Brookfield, Connecticut, this was a nice golden amber color with a big off-white head and fair lacing. The aroma is subtle piny / herbal hop and caramel malt, somewhat thick and appetizing. The flavor follows suit with a mid-plus body feel, smooth and creamy with a hop blend very similar to the aroma. Add some vanilla and more caramel malt, maybe even some banana nut. Quite tasty. It is politely carbonated and easily a sessionable brew, a fine pale ale and a pleasant surprise.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2009 19:45:07 | More by Durge

atsprings

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Woody's City Market served in a Newcastle pint glass a crisp orange with a very nice frothy off-white head that slowly diminishes to a thin layer and leaves great lacing on the glass. Aroma is a nice subtle amount of crisp sweet malts and citrus hops. The taste is a nice amount citrus and pine hops balanced nicely with sweet malts with a hint of caramel. The beer is light, crisp and refreshing, especially for summer. This is a very enjoyable Pale.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2009 21:05:00 | More by atsprings

edbeer

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this for the first time at East Ave Cafe in Pawtucket RI. I was amazed at the overall balance of this beer. I can't mention one particularly good thing about this beer because it was so well balanced. The head was medium sized and lasted for a while. There was a pleasing amount of maltiness with a little caramel and the hops were light but present. Maybe a little under-hopped for some but well within the style guidelines. Overall a very tasty beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2009 02:10:13 | More by edbeer

armock

New York

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured a copper color with an off white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is light some sweet malt with citrus hops

T - The taste is also light with sweet malt first then the citrus hops come in to finish it off

M - This beer has a medium body with higher carbonation to it

D - Taste just wasn't strong enough for me I'm used to more aggressive APAs with more hops to them I guess but if was one of the better choices at a bar I wouldn't skip over it

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2009 22:42:36 | More by armock

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 4/15/09 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep golden brown color, with a short off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is faint but contains caramelized malts, citrus and some hops.

T: The taste is decently balanced with sweet flavors of citrus and caramel up front, followed by a good hops presence. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a nice beer to drink for a while, but overall it's just an average pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2009 14:16:29 | More by TheManiacalOne

erosier

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

L: Pours a nice amber-orange color with a medium sized and medium bodied tan colored head that laces the glass nicely on the way down.
S: Smells of sweet malts and a nice "firey" hop aroma that lets me know this is going to have some kick to it.
T: Very nice sweet malt base followed by a nice spicy kick of earthy/piney/citrusy hops.
M: Very smooth, perfect amount of carbonation.
D: Pretty drinkable, I think it would have been less drinkable if it had less hops in it, but then I suppose it wouldn't be called Fire Rock. Overall it was really nice.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2009 10:54:31 | More by erosier

bacabuck

California

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this the other night at Rudy's Pub in Foothill. Not much else on tap and I'd never had this beer so I thought I'd give it a try.

A: Must have been sitting on the bar for a while. By the time it got to me, there was no head to speak of, just some foam floating.

S: Slightly sweet. Hoppy.

T: No bitterness of hops came through. Good body and flavour. Held up well with the pulled pork and half my wife's burger.

M: Smooth. No excessive carbonation.

D: I'll order it again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2009 06:30:34 | More by bacabuck

arizcards

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this at the Kona brewpub while vacationing on the Big Island last week.

Brew pours a copper color with a slight haze. Head is off white with good retention. Nose is tropical fruits with citrusy hops blended with toasted malts. Taste is caramel malts that are somewhat sweet balanced by a smooth bitterness that is not too overpowering. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with light carbonation. Finish is refreshing. Overall drinkabiity is good as this seems to be more of an English PA style as it was more balanced to the point Da Boss could quaff it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2009 00:28:50 | More by arizcards

superdedooperboy

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this on-tap at The Pizza Joint in Evans, GA.

Served up in a pint glass; color is a copper-tinged amber. The small off-white head is more likely than not a testament to the pourer than the beer, as it may have had more size and retentive properties; as it is, the small half-finger of creamy foam leaves behind some slight rings of lacing.

A nice welcoming vivid, floral and fruity hop bouquet fills the nose and beckons.

Medium-bodied, with a middling level of carbonation. Faint hints of caramel and sweet bread up front, with a big middle of fruity hops, containing notes of apricot, grapefruit, cherries and blueberries, falling into a mildly bittersweet finish.

Quite tasty overall; a nice fruity example of the style that is well-balanced and easy-drinking. Nothing mind-blowing, but nothing less than solid, either.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2009 16:19:32 | More by superdedooperboy

hoplover82

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had a sample on tap and it was one of the worst pale ales Iv'e had. It was so bland.

Pours a good pale golden color with a fluffy white head that leaves quickly but with some lacing.

Aroma is bland of pale malts and almost no hops.

Flavor is the same as above. Pale. :(

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, and a little watery.

I guess it's drinkable but I won't have another.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2008 18:41:53 | More by hoplover82

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had this on-tap at The Blue Seats in New York City, New York.
Appearance: A deep but transparent amber color, toped with a small light tan head having decent retention.
Smell: Caramel malt and citrus hops.
Taste: Predominately the caramel maltyness is what came through, but it was a bit watery.
Mouthfeel: Thin.
Drinkability: Ok, but not great.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2008 16:29:34 | More by treehugger02010

Bagman007

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap and poured into a pint glass.

A- Brown, copper color. Not much head at all.

S- Has a nice hoppy, spicy smell.

T- A tad hoppy, but not too bitter at all. Very crisp and a little spicy.

M- A little hoppy, but it goes down well. Very crisp feel to it.

D- Very drinkable beer. Excellent pale ale. One of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2008 03:28:44 | More by Bagman007

Gavage

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: orange in color with a fluffy 2" head. Light amount of carbonation bubbles slowly rise to the surface.

Smell: light caramel and floral hops are detectable.

Taste: caramel, light orange citrus, and a floral bitternss makes up a basic APA. Flavors are a bit muted but pleasant.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp from start to finish. Aftertaste is very brief. Lighter side of a medium bodied beer.

Drinkability: easy to quaff - a definite session beer. But one may become a bit bored with this after a few.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2008 13:56:42 | More by Gavage

KeefD

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Florida. Poured a nice amber color with an off white head that settled into a nice cap leaving behind some nice lacing. Nice aroma of caramel malts and some fruity hops. Hops flavor is more on the grassy, fruity side rather than piney. Nice balance between the hops and malts. Creamy mouthfeel and an excellent session pale. I was happy to find this one among all the BMC beers at the bar. Good stuff!

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2008 13:29:14 | More by KeefD

PorterLambic

Florida

3/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours an orange/amber color, cream colored head with good retention. Creamy with very good lacing.
Smell is spices, fruit, malt. All light but well balanced.
Taste malt, hops, spice in aftertaste. Decent, lightly flavored but good.
Medium/full body with light-ish effervescence. Smooth, slightly crisp finish with a hint of dryness. A good beer but not one that announces itself well, too subtle.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2008 22:00:57 | More by PorterLambic