Kona Brewing Company- Koko Brown: As Genuine As It’s Deliverer…Thanks Chewie! - Jason's 250th Review!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:53PM | by Jason 
In my quest to empty the fridge of luscious Craft Beer I grabbed for another one that has be in there for a few months. A couple of my friends went to Colorado back in the spring and they brought back a bevy of different brews as requested by a long list of different people. My buddy Chewie (drummer of the mighty The Jack Pines) was tasked to bring back some Kona Brewing Company’s Koko Brown but for someone other than me. Due to my persuasive techniques, I was able to get him to sell me one of the twelve for $5.00 and deliver the other 11 to their intended target. That’s what I call a friend!! You just don’t forget a gesture like that and I sure as hell didn’t. A month or so ago, I parted with my last Ten Fidy because Chewie mentioned how much he loved that beer. As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. There have been very few people I have met in life that are true to the core, damn good people. Chewie is one of those rare few and not just because he hooked me up with this beer but because he is the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back and do just about anything to help a friend. I hope this brew is as genuine as the man that parted with it so that I could enjoy. Here’s to you Chewie, Cheers!!
Kona Brewing Company classifies this brew as a Brown Ale and their website describes Koko Brown as, “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 pours a clear ruby/brown color with a ¾” tan head. The aroma is coconut oil, vanilla, brown sugar and smells a lot like suntan lotion.
I’ve never had a beer that surprised me as much as Koko Brown. I was expecting a very slight coconut flavor but I was dead wrong. Not that it is overpowering but the combination of all of the flavors and aromas are overwhelming but in a good way. My first whiff took me to a tropical island beach with 100’s of ladies sunning themselves while being covered in Hawaiian Tropic head to toe. It really is mesmerizing. Now, because the tropical aroma was so strong I almost got the impression that Koko Brown was going to end up tasting like suntan lotion…don’t ask but I do know what Hawaiian Tropic tastes like. Koko Brown DOES NOT taste like suntan lotion, I can assure you that. However, Kona Brewing Company’s Koko Brown is completely unlike any Craft Beer I have ever had. The flavor is a blend similar to the aroma; I get tastes of coconut oil, sweet malts, brown sugar and vanilla. This perfect combination of all of the many flavors is truly an amazing Craft Beer experience that has me wanting to ditch the family, buy a plane ticket and head to Hawaii. Oh yeah, and Chewie, if I ever do get the money, your plane ticket’s on me!!
Only because I keep track of all the beers I review, I realized that this is my 250th review since beginning the website!! Only 250 more to go to hit 500!!
ABV: 5.5%
Consumed: Asheville Brewing Co Pint Glass
Verdict: Buy A Case
