Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter

Yes… it is true.  We received our first sample last week.  The fine folks at Kona Brewing Company and their PR team at Maxwell PR sent us a pack of two Pipeline Porters and some 100% pure Kona Coffee.  Man I love this beer… read the review for one of our first true Hall of Fame beers.

Can I just tell you that this was truly a momentous occassion… and for some reason the first song that came to mind as I was grinning from ear to ear was Oh Happy Day.  I was struck with the need to sing this song all around the house and throughout the cul-de-sac as I took crusty looks from family and friends. 

Luckily, I have broad shoulders and their mocking didn’t phase me… for I, and Po, are truly blessed individuals for being granted the privelege of this wonderful gift.

Thank you Kona Brewing Company and Maxwell PR!!

Kona Brewing Company Wailua Wheat

I love Kona Brewing… just about as much as New Belgium… but maybe not quite.  Either way, I checked Fred Meyer for new brews today and found this handy little number on the shelves so I picked up a couple.

Kona Brewing Company Wailua Wheat

As I sit here listening to Death Cab for Cutie’s new album and enjoying this very light and fruity wheat ale, I have to think I am in a good place.  Not much of a nose on it, but they have done a fine job of balancing the sweet passion fruit with the wheat ale.  I can tell there is beer goodness beneath the fruit and I applaud Kona’s ability to create such a smooth and soft summer beer.

Highly recommended.  Kona has done it again!

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Kona Brewing Company Fire Rock Pale Ale

Kona Brewing Company may just be my new favorite brewery… I know that is saying a lot and that it may be a bit premature, but I don’t mind making hasty decisions and premature has always been a problem.

So… walking through Safeway tonight, I wasn’t planning on getting anymore beer since I hit QFC this morning and picked up a week’s supply of singles, but… I just happened to look on the beer rack and there to my wondering eye did I see a bottle of Kona Brewing Company Fire Rock Pale Ale looking at me.  So, I grabbed a single (I hate that I did this, but it is all in the name of the blog… I swear!), added it to my cart with an avacado, Diet Pepsi Max, and coffee flavored chocolate milk and was off to the checkout.

So… how does this lead to my new favorite brewery?  Well, the Fire Rock Pale Ale was and is (drinking it right now) quite good.  Again, Kona has a very smooth feel to the beer with the perfect mix of tartness and hoppiness.  Super easy to drink, too.  Overall, another great beer from Kona.

Kona Brewing Company – Pipeline Porter

I am in love.  Really and truly in love.  Kona Brewing Company’s Pipeline Porter has to be one of the best all around beers I have ever tasted.  Not joking at all.  I have my favorites, but this one could possibly take the top spot.  A very dark porter that isn’t too thick or cloudy.  More like the color of dark cola.  Poors very smooth… just looks good sitting there.  Then the taste.  So, so easy to drink.  I am not one that can chug beer or soda.  I just don’t like the burn and I can’t do it fast.  Pipeline porter, though, was more like drinking water.  Incredibly smooth with a perfect aftertaste.  Couldn’t taste the coffee beans, but it is possible they are the perfect ingredient here.  Highly, highly recommended.  At 5.4%, it isn’t a bad kick, either.

Po has one of these in his fridge, I believe… wonder how he finds it. 

**UPDATE** Since I still think of this beer frequently… especially when I am having a particularly nasty beer, I am going to make sure it gets the credit it is due and put it in the JustBeer Blog Hall of Fame.

JBB6 Rating: JustBeer Blog Hall of Fame