Kona Brewing Koko Brown Ale Arrives On East Coast
Press Release
After a successful launch of Koko Brown Ale (my review from earlier this year) to west coast mainland markets this spring, Kona Brewing Company has announced that east coast markets will also receive Koko Brown Ale when it’s released again in January 2012. The 2011 arrival of Koko Brown Ale marked the first new mainland beer offering from Kona Brewing in four years, and also the third seasonal in the brewer’s Aloha Series. Koko Brown Ale was first tapped at Kona’s Kailua-Kona pub in the summer of 2009.
The vintage artwork on Koko’s bottle and packaging depicts a stand-up paddler on the calm waters of Maunalua Bay, in the shadow of Koko Head and Koko Crater. Stand up paddling (SUP), or hoe he’e nalu, is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world. Paddling served as the ancient Hawaiians’ mode of solo transport in visiting remote villages and fishing grounds, and today, SUP competitions often launch at the docks below Kona Brewing’s Koko Marina pub. Kona Brewing sponsors a number of SUP events including Battle of the Paddle, Maui Jim Surf Monkey and the first ever SUP Awards as well as brand ambassadors Jenny Kalmbach, Candice Appleby, Andrew Logreco, Jerry Bess and Tom Pokahu Stone.
Koko Brown Ale pairs best with coconut and caramel-infused recipes including coconut rice, Thai curries, caramelized roast turkey and chocolate-dipped macaroons. The rich flavors of Koko Brown also complement aged cheeses, barbecued meats and carne asada. Koko Brown Ale will be available on shelves and on draught through May 2012.
Koko Brown Ale brewing notes:
- Dried, toasted coconut is added to the mash resulting in a pleasant nutty aroma and flavor.
- Deep amber with rich mahogany hues. Distinctive and pronounced toasted coconut
aroma. Toffee and nutty coconut flavor is complemented by the mildly roasty Victory and Munich malts. - Malt: Premium 2-Row, Victory, Carapils, Munich, Chocolate
- Hops: Cascade, Willamette, Warrior, Millennium
- Original Gravity (OG): 13.3 P
- Alcohol by Volume: 5.5%
- IBU: 28
- Extras: toasted coconut chips.