Koko Brown - Kona Brewing Co.

Uncle_Jimmy

California

3.96/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance-a deep brown with a light khaki head 1 finger of foam that leaves a thin cap on the beer

Aroma- chocolate and coconut some yeasty sourness

Taste- nutty with tastes of raisins toasted almonds and of course coconut. LIke a toasted macaroon actually I haven't tasted side by side but it may give that maui brewing coconut beer a run for its money. hops balance out and give you a bit of a poke at the end but the whole thing cleans up pretty well on the pallete.

Mouthfeel- medium bodied theres a lip smacking maltyness but it is not overly sweet or syrupy.

Overall- there may be some biased here but i visited Kona Brew Co on my honeymoon. Great beers. I especially like this one!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 23:48:21 | More by Uncle_Jimmy

seano107

California

3.96/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up the Aloha Series variety pack from Walmart of all places. Price was good, didnt realize it had a brown ale until I popped it open..I have been looking for a brown ale to replace the discontinued one at my bar I tend at.

light appearance, carmel color, light carbonation. appeares less than it is.

smell, same fairly light, carmel and coconut rule, but not bold or bursting

At first sip, I was like whoa that's pretty good. A light to medium body, not overwhelming in flavor (mostly coconut, maple, hazelnut and toffee/coffee but light) it sits fairly flat, but when you take a nice sip it opens up and is very creamy and burst in your mouth, and fully opens up washes down clean and refreshing, and leaves your mouth wet and ready for more. Not overly swee or filling and is very drinkable. I'll have another..

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 05:12:32 | More by seano107

bagpiper2005

Idaho

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pour: Clear, dark reddish-brown color. Two fingers of off-white head that had average retention and some nice lacing on the glass.

Smell: Coconut is the forerunner of the aroma. Supported by a bit of roasted malt and coffee. Rather interesting.

Taste: Once again, the coconut is very much the star of the taste, though it doesn't dominate everything. Tied together by some molasses/caramel in the front, a nutty quality in the middle, and a coffee-like back end. Quite good, I think.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, but a little overcarbonated I think. Makes for a rather prickly feeling on the tongue.

Drinkability/Overall: Drinks like a fizzy soda due to the carbonation. Good flavors, and very sessionable. Not too filling.

Final Notes: A rather interesting experiment by Kona, but it paid off. This Brown Ale is both interesting and unique, and tastes great. The coconut adds a little something special, I think, and would serve to make it a great semi-sweet beer to pair with some dessert. I dig it.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 22:22:13 | More by bagpiper2005

zrab11

Indiana

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a nice dark reddish brown with a 1 finger off white head

S- Has a nice roasted malts flavor to it also get some coconut and coffee notes as well

T- The coconut comes out first and is wonderful then its followed by a nice coffee roastedness and some molasses also comes out in the flavor

M-Medium bodied with good carbonation

D-Overall i was quite pleased with this.. it felt thin at times but over all i thought all the flavors came out nicely and was balanced well

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2011 16:45:16 | More by zrab11

JayS2629

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an amber brown with a two finger off-white head that fades quickly but leaves ok lacing.

The aroma was of toasted nuts, cocoa, caramel, vanilla and faint hints of coconut.

the flavor was a good solid brown ale with chocolate, vanilla, toasted biscuit, and caramel flavors. faint hints of coconut subtly come in. Not enough to be called a coconut beer.

Creamy, medium body, good

Overall a very easty drinking, tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 16:53:26 | More by JayS2629

socon67

New York

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours copper to light brown. Some foam that settles quickly. Slight carbonation; clear.

S - Initial scents are of a toasted malt. Only after it warms some do you get a faint smell of coconut.

T - Tasty. The flavors of cocoa and fresh coconut are there, along with a roasted malt taste. I like the interesting flavors on this one.

M - Very smooth, and I found the coconut flavor made this an easy drinking ale. Smooth, well-balanced, and subtle.

O - Enjoyed this one, and after looking forward to Koko Brown in NY I wasn't disappointed. For any fans of coconut it is a must try, and really worth checking out just for the nice take on the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 19:27:10 | More by socon67

cjgator3

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle

A- Pours a clear dark brown color with an off-white head with good retention and lacing.

S- The aroma is sweet malt, caramel, a touch of chocolate and coconut. This beer smells very tropical, almost like a mix between a brown ale with a slight whiff of Hawaiian Tropic suntan oil. 

T- The taste is a lot of sweet malt and caramel with a touch if bitterness in the finish from the hope.

M- The mouthfeel is between light and medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

O- Overall, I like a good brown ale and this one has a nice little twist with the coconut. The coconut is not a distraction like I was worried about, it is very well placed in the brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 02:37:59 | More by cjgator3

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, lightly hazed and reddish tinted brown, minimal cap of off white head. Scent leads with toasted coconut, hints of vanilla and toasted crusty bread, mellows into notes of toasted nuts and grain, light brown sugar and caramel. Taste of toasted coconut is quite intense in the first sip, brings more vanilla, rounds into a full toasted bread profile with light brown sugar notes. Medium bodied, slightly low in carbonation, lacing heft found in the style. Im torn with this beer, the idea is better than the execution, I love coconut and this beer has more of it than many similar beers, but a few short commings.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 14:00:04 | More by rfgetz

hosehead83

Ohio

3.94/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark copper in color, with a moderate head of tan foam.
Aroma-Toasted malt, subtle coconut
Taste-Toasted coconut, toasted malt, a nice little bite in the finish seems to balance everything out. a bit thin-bodied but nice flavor and balance. Sessionable. Good with a burger or BBQ wings.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 18:06:03 | More by hosehead83

beertaster13

Washington

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving was a bottle poured into a pint glass. The apperance is of a nice mahogany, the head is a nice thick white head that settles nicely into the glass.

The smell is a soft nutty taste, not a lot of distinct aroma. Slight sense of roasted grain.

The taste is complex, coconut is definetely in the forefront and the aftertaste. In between is a very nice mix of nuts and caramel. Found the taste to be very complexing. Not as thick as I expected in the mouth.

I loved the mouthfeel in this beer, this is a nice brown ale you can drink in the summer, its dark but feels light enough in the mouth to quench the hot months of the summer. Pleasant.

This is a very drinkable beer, works well in summer months, as I drink this in March i will note that I need to try this in the summer as it definetely will fill the void of a dark ale that holds up well to drink in summer heat. I reccommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 05:35:04 | More by beertaster13

emmasdad

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

picked this one up for my wife a month or so ago at merchant of vino in Tamarac Square in Denver, got tired of waiting for her to drink it, so I opened it up tonight. Poured a medium to dark brown with a nice little white head. Aromas of toasted coconut, nuts and milk chocolate (almost like an alomond joy at times). Medium bodied, with more almond joy-like flavors, milk chocolate and shredded coconut. Surprisingly pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 03:42:39 | More by emmasdad

GallowsThief

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at The House of Brews.

A – Poured out a dark brown with about a finger of off white head that drops to a thin lacing.

S – Pretty sweet smell with roasted malt, chocolate and vanilla. Coconut.

T – Had a fairly large coconut flavor right out of the gate. Pretty standard brown ale after the coconut fades. Has some chocolate and coffee flavor along with a touch of roasted malt. Nutty at the end.

M – Medium bodied and fairly good carbonation. Pretty smooth.

O – I liked this beer but I love all things coconut. I think it’s a fairly average brown but the coconut is my cup of tea. If you are not a coconut fan its not for you. I will take it anyday.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 15:34:28 | More by GallowsThief

shand

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

Pours a fairly clear brown color with a decent head. Aroma is sweet malts, grains, and coconut. The taste is a nice mix of coconut and sweet malts. The malts really start to take over on the finish. The mouthfeel is smooth with a medium level of carbonation, and the drinkabilty is good. Overall, a solid brown ale with just a bit of a twist.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 05:11:44 | More by shand

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle pours a crystal clear copperish brown color with a small, even cap of beige head. Not much for retention and lacing.

Nose definitely shows some coconut, also a fair amount of nutty maltiness. Moderately sweet and just a bit of chocolate. Smells real good, I am a total coconut fiend though.

Not as sweet as I thought it would be, which is a good thing in this case because the coconut (along with the malts) gives off plenty of sweet impressions. Id say the coconut is just as apparent in this as the Maui CoCoNut Porter. I think I actually like this one more, not to mention it is a dollar cheaper and you get 50% more! Very easy to drink, nice and smooth. I wouldnt mind a silkier, richer mouthfeel...but other than that I am pleasantly surprised by this beer. I foresee a few more six-pack purchases in my future.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 01:04:41 | More by twiggamortis420

mltobin

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a 12 oz bottle of this at a small store in CT.

Appearance is brown with 1/2 finger of white head. Its`nose most certainly contains coconut, along with malts and sugar. Koko Brown tastes of nuts, a good amount of coconut and more malts. It is a flavor that is not too overpowering in any aspect and the mouthfeel is medium with a crisp finish. A good beer, which is worth picking up.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 01:26:12 | More by mltobin

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Reddish dark brown, very slight head, slight lacing, below average carbonation.

S- Sweet smelling of coconuts and nuts.

T- A typical nutty brown ale taste mixed with sweet coconut flavor.

M- Medium bodied, average carbonation, nicely balanced.

O- Although not one of my favorites, I definitely enjoyed this beer. It had the typical brown ale taste and smell, but the sweet coconut flavor mixed in well and was not too over powering. Would definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 01:06:41 | More by jaasen64

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

im almost ashamed to admit it, but this beer tastes great! pours an innocous looking brown ale color, and has the same smell as a basic american brown ale, with that roasty malty sweetness and body, but this has a hint of fresh coconut in the nose, not milky and sweet and artificial, but islandic and raw. flavor is pronounced coconut up front. like drinking the water from one in a tree in south india, or like a mounds bar. touch of cocoa in there too, this feels more drinkable than it should. its not deserty at all, and is lighter than it looks in feel. overall one of kona's best beers that i have had. very unique and very memorable. definitely buy this if you like coconuts

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 08:17:58 | More by StonedTrippin

BrownNut

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Somehow manages to be both dry and sweet, which is kind of neat. That reminded me of cocoa powder but it's more of a caramel sweetness. It was sort of like I was drinking two different things at once. Very enjoyable.

Update: Now I've had one out of the bottle and it's not the same. It's still pleasant and I enjoyed it but on tap the flavors were so much fuller and richer. Leaving the scoring as the draught scoring.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 18:04:26 | More by BrownNut

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased from ABC store in Honolulu.

Appearance- Pours a light mahogany with a half finger width of bubbly head.

Smell- Nutty aromas, hint of toasted coconut, caramel, and toasted grains.

Taste- Starts with nutty and caramel flavours. There is a hint of citrus in there. Finishes with toasted grains.

Mouthfeel- Light to medium bodied with light carbonation. A tad thin.

Overall- A nice twist on the brown ale by Kona Brewing. I would have preferred more coconut in the beer, but otherwise it has some nice warm flavours.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 20:23:20 | More by leaddog

dfillius

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.
A: Moderate pour yields 1/2 finger tan head with good retention. Reddish brown clear liquid.
S: Coconut is a tad too intense to be naturally occurring. Slight citrus hop. lactose?
T: Generally sweet caramelly malt with notes of coconut and macadamia nut. Tasty, but artificial/natural flavors overwhelm actual ones and seem a but forced. Not heavy-handed by any means, but it makes for a bit of 1-dimensionality. Tasty. Slight earthiness - from coconut?
M: Rich and creamy. Full. Sweet open, dry finish.
O: Tasty. I would have another, but probably not buy 6. Decent.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 21:35:11 | More by dfillius

Minkybut

Virginia

3.91/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I poured this nice beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer was a nice mahogany color and poured a really pretty nice tan head. The smell was yummy tasty and complex. The taste was yummylishious with coconut mounds bar type thing going on. A really interesting beer. I will buy this again foe sure. A really good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 15:34:53 | More by Minkybut

grittybrews

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured a clear, nutty brown with a faint ruby tinge into a tulip with two fingers of sturdy, light khaki head. Mild, roasty aroma of toasted coconut with hints of vanilla, toffee, and chocolate.

Slightly low carbonation and a rather thin mouthfeel. Lots of coconut up front followed by a nutty, biscuity sweetness and a fairly dry finish with some slight toasted malt bitterness.

I'm a big coconut fan, so this brew was high on my to-try list. It was tasty and easy-drinking with a nice coconut character that wasn't too sweet, but overall the experience was a little one-dimensional. Maui's CoCoNut Porter will remain my go-to.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 05:10:25 | More by grittybrews

diesburg

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Very interesting beer. Honestly I still like to drink out of the bottle, so I did, not sure what it looks like. The smell is surprisingly oak-y or woody, but sweet and malty.

First taste is light and nondescript but as it works its way back in your mouth you get sweet coconut flavors mixed with sweet malt. The coconut overwhelms a bit, but as it mixes with the slight nutty flavor of a brown, it mixes to remind me very much of a really light port. I was surprised how much the mix of malt, coconut, and nuttiness ends with the oak barrel flavor of a port or whiskey without all the alcohol harshness. Almost no hops present in the flavor. Something to counteract the syrupy sweetness might be welcome.

Overall surprising and extremely unique. definitely worth trying, maybe only worth trying again if you really like a sweet, nutty beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 05:31:14 | More by diesburg

rawfish

California

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours murky brown with a thin film of off white lace, held up to the light it's clear mahogany with some ruby highlights. Thin head doesn't hold up well nor does it leave much more than a couple spots of lacing.

Malt bill combined with floral coconut is pretty impressive. Chocolate malt, no toastiness but a pleasant, sweet nuttiness also comes through. Though I know the coconut flavor is added it does a good job mixing vanilla and coconut shavings, very floral and nice.

Malt bill is a bit more roasty in the flavor, caramel malt with chocolate and some coffee. Quite artificial but there's quite a bit of coconut milk, macadamia nut and vanilla. To say this tastes like a very sweet Hawaiian coffee blend would not be too off. Hops come in to balance at the end tasting slightly of pine. Dries well.

Medium body for a brown and with prickly carbonation, toning it down some would make the drink smoother and creamy.

I can see how anyone not a fan of sweet would find this immediately cloying and too much to handle. I think that while the novel ingredient is quite artificial it works for this style. If you are into the novel ingredient or sweeter beers this is well worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 19:09:01 | More by rawfish

Eriktheipaman

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a darker brown while remaining fairly clear. Nice off white head.

The smell was roasted coconut and little else.

The taste was on par with the smell. It was a roasty coconut with a very little hop bite on the front. Not much in the way of balance but I really enjoyed it none the less.

Not the greatest Brown Ale but pretty tasty. I could see myself getting it again if I sw it around town. Lighter and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2011 23:22:28 | More by Eriktheipaman