Koko Brown - Kona Brewing Co.

argock

Virginia

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date. Single purchased at ingles Market (Boone, NC) for $1.50.

A: Translucent light chestnut brown with short 1/2-finger off-white head with below average retention and no lacing.

S: Soft coconut that thankfully doesn't smell too chemical in nature. The brown ale aroma is pretty weak and thin with only a little bit of toasted bread.

T: The flavor is one-dimensional coconut layered on a undermalted brown ale. There is mild caramel and toasted malt sweetness but overall, this is a vehicle to deliver coconut flavor.

M: Thin and too low in carbonation with light body at most.

O: Could have been worse but nothing to write home about for sure. Not enough chocolate aroma or flavor to be a decent brown ale, with or without coconut.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 02:31:21 | More by argock

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at City Tap House, Philly, PA

Poured a clear medium brown color with a small cap of off-white head that receded to a thin ringlet. Sweet malt aroma, toasted coconut, brown sugar. The taste was pretty sugary, caramel malts, coconut candy, maybe a bit of milk chocolate. Not as good as it may sound...it was pretty artificial-tasting. Light-medium body, not entirely bad, and definitely worth a try, but not something I'd ever get again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2013 03:27:15 | More by Rifugium

largadeer

California

3.05/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear mahogany brown body with a sticky, lasting beige head.

The beer has little aroma when it's cold. As it warms, I pick up brown sugar, toasted malt and sweet coconut. Simple and a bit sweeter than I'd like, but not bad.

The palate presents more of the same: toasted malt, coconut and brown sugar in equal portions. It's fairly thin, simplistic and sweet. There's some slightly astringent graininess in the finish along with more brown sugar sweetness. A clean and fairly drinkable beer, but not particularly good.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 23:29:20 | More by largadeer

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.05/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes.

A. Copper color with a receding foam collar for a head, no significant lacing, but has good clarity for something that has coconut in it...

S. Smells almost exactly like a Mounds candy bar, before it has been bitten into. (The coconut aroma is somewhat hidden behind the chocolate smell) I cannot seem to pick out any hopping aroma of significance.

T. Some brown malt toastiness flavor is present, but the coconut flavor takes over for the second half of each sip. If only the hopping was stronger to do a better job of balancing against the sweetness, I would be really impressed, but as it is, it comes across as too much like a candy bar for my tastes.

M. Somewhat too watery and thin to support the boldness levels of the flavors presented within.

Interesting stuff and I am glad to have gotten a chance to have tried it while on vacation in the west coast. Makes me wish that more than only a few different coconut beers existed, the 'gimmick' seems like a pretty solid idea to me if it were to be done in a drier manner than this beer presented.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 18:37:22 | More by WastingFreetime

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #50 (March 2011):

Coconut in beer? Where else would we expect this but from a Hawaiian brewer ... subtle extreme beer as well! Quick-forming head drops down almost as quickly to a thin lacing. Brown and clear. A bit of coconut and dark chocolate, a bit of a candy bar nose here. Body stands a little thin, and coconut flavor is quite prevalent. Maltiness does not really come forward—a quick smattering of toasted and very faint roasted malt. Balancing hoppiness does just that. Coconut flavor fades quick and a drink of toasted graininess is all that’s left. Not much to this Brown Ale other than the element of coconut, which perhaps saves this beer from being entirely pedestrian.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 13:33:15 | More by BeerAdvocate

gpogo

California

3.08/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Light reddish mahogony body with a small tan head.

A- Sweet malty toffee aroma. Quite prevalent coconut. Light on the nutiness.

T- Initially a nutty brown flavor, but toffee and coconut come through strong. Slight bitterness on the finish, but still very sweet.

M- Light body, but a sweet flavor that sticks around. Moderate carbonation.

D- Honestly I hate coconut, if that is your thing it could be enjoyable. Even then I find it slightly watery. Not my favorite, but not a bad brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 04:08:18 | More by gpogo

sairbaysah

Minnesota

3.08/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.75

12 oz bottle. Brewed on Dec. 12, 2012.

Very nice looking beer. Dark reddish brown body with a nice two finger khaki head.

The smell makes me wonder. Sugar.

The first sip is wonderful. My tongue loves the dark malt and the then the pleasant bitterness. Then something strange happens. Did I spill some suntan oil in this beer? Too much coconut. It makes this beer nasty.

This looks and feels like a great brown ale but the overly aggressive coconut ruins it.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 03:17:41 | More by sairbaysah

RJLarse

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I bought a six-pack of Koko Brown Ale at a grocery store. $6.99. Poured into a pint glass.

Pours a clear mahogany brown beverage, with a smallish off-white head. No resiliency of the head to speak of and the sides of the glass remain remarkable clean.

The smell is faint, with a coffee aroma and the coconut as advertised on the label.

Taste is OK. It has the typical brown ale attributes with the coconut flavor. Tastes a bit like Dr Pepper without as much syrup or sugar

Mouthfeel is thin and highly carbonated, with a dry mildly bitter aftertaste.

It is a drinkable brown ale but the coconut does nothing for the brew. It's drinkable but there are much better brown ales available.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 01:08:06 | More by RJLarse

CharcuterIAN

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

to start...Down by the river by neil young just started on my deck. this makes me very happy! now to the beer.
poured into my a globe. Garnet color, no head, no lacing. smell is roasty malt, light coconut, milky. taste is same. mouth feel is quick small bubbles, and then nothing but toasted coconut...
not my cup of tea, but not terrible.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 07:43:22 | More by CharcuterIAN

Fadefury

Maryland

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Red/brown color with tall white head. Retention is average

S- Lots of malts and hazelnut. Can't really pick out the coconut

T- Very nutty. Slight hints of toffee and coconut

M- Medium body, with mild carbonation. I'd like it to have been smoother, but overall, it works.

O- I wish the coconut was stronger in this beer, as it's advertised up in front on the package. However, it's a nice change up to the standard light summer ales I normally drink. Would buy again

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 01:56:08 | More by Fadefury

Zorro

California

3.13/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Clear brown colored beer with a small tan colored head.

Smell is patent malt with a decent presence of coffee. Toasted coconut is strong in this. Slight sweetness gives this a bit of an Almond Joy candy bar. Not much more than that smells like an almond joy with coffee in it.

Starts out barely sweet with a strong coconut flavor. Coffee with a very slight chocolate flavor, tastes like an Almond Joy with no sugar used.

Mouthfeel is average.

Drinkability is summed up by asking "how much do you like coconut?" Pretty much a ho-hum very basic brown ale with coconut in it.

This is OK but no repeat sale here, pretty much an average at best beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2011 02:31:01 | More by Zorro

flexabull

California

3.13/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a bright and clear brown color with a very nice off white head, good lacing too. Looks really good in the glass.

Aromas are odd, very roasted notes of fruit, not really getting a whole lot of coconut. Grainy, grassy, vegetal, and kind of floral. Some sniffs I like this, others, not so much.

Taste starts out with roasted sweet coconut, light cocoa, and slightly roasted malt flavors. While this beer tastes good, the added flavors adds almost an artificial taste and not typical sweetness to this beer.

Mouthfeel is full and smooth with pretty good carbonation.

Overall? Ehhh... Not a fan, tastes like a bland brown ale with lots of non beer flavors added. Not a terrible beer, but I wont be buying this one again,

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 06:14:06 | More by flexabull

BB1313

Ohio

3.16/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a clear, but dark auburn with ruby hues shining through. There's a nice off-white head that sticks around and leaves really nice lacing. The aromas aren't impressive at all. It's not that it smells bad, it basically just smells like nothing. I'm picking up some caramel malts and subtle hints of maple and hazelnut. The coconut is noticable in the nose, but not really in the flavors. Tastes much better than it smells. More maple in the flavors. I'm picking up some hazelnut and expresso notes in the flavors as well. Mouthfeel is very nice, it's light, but creamy and smooth. This is a very easy drinking beer. Alcohol obviously goes unnoticed.

Kona just recently started distributing to Ohio, so I'm confused why we'd get bottles born in November 2012. I'm assuming this isn't the freshest, but it's still solid. The potential is there to be something unique for the style. I'd like to try this fresher because I'm assuming the coconut would be more prevelant. This could be awesome when fresh.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 21:29:21 | More by BB1313

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Brown to amber color and transparent. It had a finger of head, but it was quickly gone to surface covering.

A slight nutty smell and then dominated by coconut and a little cocoa. It smells like dessert.

Sweet, sweet and then some sweet coconut.

Lighter body, low carbonation.

I really liked the smell, but the coconut just overpowered everything in the taste. Too bad. About a third to half the coconut would make this a really winner and let the rest of the ale show through.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 05:03:36 | More by Fatehunter

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

If I ever go back to Hawaii this will be the beer I drink.

This is not my personal taste preference in a beer, however it does capture the Hawaiian feel very well. This is definitely the kind of beer you have try for yourself to see what you think, I know my taste but not yours, and I can see why this one would be very good to some people.

Dark like a porter, coconut, brown sugar, toasted malt.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 15:04:18 | More by FlatRabbitRed

hustlesworth

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

A- slightly hazed rusty reddish brown with a nicely creamy beige head. Ample swirly lace.

S- warm and nutty with definite coconut aromas. Notes of wood, chocolate and citric herbs as well.

T- toasty and nicely sweet with a mild balancing bitterness in the finish. Coconut flavor is soft but artificial tasting. Touches of chocolate, wood and hazelnut.

MF- soft bodied and vigorously carbonated. Powdery chocolate feeling on the cheeks.

D- not so bad, but the "natural flavor added" never works for me. Strangely refreshing however (if you're thirsty) and unoffensive.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:17:13 | More by hustlesworth

bnes09

Illinois

3.21/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Beautiful amber color and semi-transparent. Cream colored head is thick on the pour and retains well. Good lacing.

Tangy tropical plants, grass and wheat toast in the aroma.

Wheat flavor. Coconut. Mild toast character. Hops are grassy and leafy. Has a sour off taste.

Medium bodied. Grainy texture. Dry finish. Solid carbonation.

Eh. Not the best brown ale out there. I appreciate the creativity but this one was a flop in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 05:05:03 | More by bnes09

henrysunset

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from a 6-pack. Bought it since Kona's Pipeline porter is so good and it is out of season.

Filtered, dark with a tall head poured vigorously in a goblet. medium sized bubbles.

smell is dark and roasty,to match a good brown or even a dry porter. I feel like I can smell a little coconut, but only since I am looking for it.

Taste is a little odd, it dries up on the tongue quickly to a flat earthy flavor, after that you have a pleasant roast. Initial taste of each sip has a pronounced sweet coconutiness, but the transition from that flavor to the darker flavors isn't smooth. The main flavor is a little "dirty" not clean, and it just isn't quite right.

mouthfeel is a little too dry actually, and I like don't like sweet beers. Drinkability is pretty high, but overall preference for this beer is low. I won't be buying this again, but I still look forward to Pipeline Season again!

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 01:48:41 | More by henrysunset

AleEvangelist

California

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: The beer appears as any other brown. More head would make for a prettier pour, and if they could get it to stick around longer, it would certainly improve the beers aesthetics. No lacing is evident, either.

Smell: The aroma is elusive. If you really get your nose in there and give a good sniff, you might be able to get a hint of the rich toasted coconut promised by the bottle, but it's faint. No malt, no hops, and little in the nose at all.

Taste: I had high expectations for this beer. Having cut my coconut beer teeth on Maui's Coconut Porter, this beer had some big shoes to fill. At first, I was preparing myself for disappointment, as the "brown-ness" of this beer leaves something to be desired. I expected more of a malty kick. However, that toasted coconut really comes through on the finish and lingers in your mouth for what seems like ages. Where I would normally expect some trace hops to cut the sweetness of the brown on the finish, the toasted coconut takes that place. And I keep saying toasted, because that's what they say they brewed with. It tastes like it. It's not the sweetness of the raw coconut...it's the caramelized sugars and slight roastiness of toasted coconut, and it's definitely a pleasant difference!

Mouthfeel: Given the richness of coconut, I had high hopes for the mouthfeel, but was disappointed. It's thin, not quite watery, but not what you'd expect from a 5.5% abv brown. Maybe the toasted coconut imparts an astringency they can't shake. Whatever it is, it's definitely not a rich, brown ale. More the mouthfeel of a pale.

Overall: I didn't know what to expect from this beer, but enjoyed the novelty. It's not a "big" beer like Maui's coconut porter, but I don't think it's really trying to be. It's a decent enough session beer, and if you like toasted coconut, I'm willing to bet you crack another one open as that coconut finish lingers well after your last sip. But it's not stellar.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 04:42:23 | More by AleEvangelist

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Single bottle from Knightly Spirits in Orlando.

Poured into a goblet. Light chestnut in colour, clear and with a half inch of bubbly foam. Survives as a thin ring.

Nose is definitely strongly of a potent coconut syrup, with a bit of caramel, bread and chocolate malt. If I were to imagine a brew from Hawaii this would be it.

The brew certainly tastes of coconut, but rather than being a subtle compliment to the brown ale base, the sweet coconut flavor dominates and becomes quite cloying. Really needs to be turned turned down a notch. Thin bodied, moderate carbonation.

It's tasty and fun, but Im unlikely to want more than a bottle of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 22:00:33 | More by JohnnyBarman

oline73

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a finger of off white head that fades to a ring around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Mildly sweet malt with a strong coconut note. This one is a tad fruity.

Taste: Strong coconut presence, the malt taste is a bit watered down. The finish is slightly bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with fluffy carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I loved the coconut flavor, but it really needs more to back it up. Just about what I expected.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 01:21:21 | More by oline73

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle. Bottled on the 15 March 2012.

A - Brown reddish color. Small head with low retention and limited lacing on the glass.

S - Roasted coconut, malty, a bit spicy, and some gentle hop in the back.

T - At first, taste is dominated by coconut and malt. Hop progressively shows up to finish on a gentle alcohol warming touch.

M - Good carbonation. Medium body. Quite smooth on the palate.

O - Aromas and flavors are mild, but too discrete to my taste. Though, it's an unusual and pleasant beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 02:54:57 | More by duracell

julian

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

EDIT 2/24/2011. Additional tasting, to check for carbonation difference due to bottle conditioning...see below.

Bought a 6 pack tonight. First review!

A: Dark brown in color, good clarity, about 75% opacity. Lackluster head formation that quickly dissipates. Pours a little thin, almost watery.

S: Lots of sweet coconut on the nose, vanilla, subtle roasty, nutty aroma. Mostly coconut.

T: Lots of sweet coconut up front, almost vanilla like undertones. Mild nutty flavors, and subtle roast. I'd have to say this is an average coconut ale.

M: This is very clearly under-carbonated. I doubt a brown ale should be bottle conditioned for any length of time, so this is a most probably a priming miscalculation. I would prefer it a bit thicker in body, and more roasty but this is a good attempt at a coconut beer. EDIT 2/24/2011: gonna have to give this a few extra points. Tonight's tasting was definitely much more carbonated. So something either happened to the bottle I had, or there's some bottle conditioning going on.

D: Apart from the under-carbonation noted above, I love the coconut taste (as I do in most coconut beers...and coconut in general). Wouldn't be too hard to sling back a 6er.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 03:15:58 | More by julian

TIAAN

California

3.28/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a smallish clean white head, that in not too long receded to the sides of my glass. The nose is of coconut and caramel malt. Pleasant.

Surprisingly crispy taste for a brown ale. Coconut is apparent, along with malty goodness. A very refreshing beer. Nothing spectacular. Pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 19:29:22 | More by TIAAN

far333

Connecticut

3.28/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Clear caramel copper colored with a sizzling head that settles out quickly to nothing. Aroma of toasty malt, some malty sweetness, notes of caramel, and subtle coconut notes.

Strong and noticeable coconut flavor, a little soapy, some toasty malt and caramel sweetness, and a mild offsetting bitterness. Odd notes of vanilla and oak seem to find their way into the mix. There is also a hard edge to the flavor, a bit rough around the edges.

Mouthfeel is thin and watery, needs some body. An interesting beer, perhaps a bit gimmicky, tough to have more than one.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 19:44:47 | More by far333