REVIEW #2: Pipeline Porter (Kona Brewing Co.)

Poured into a Belgian style 'tulip' glass. The colour is as dark as a porter generally gets, i.e. just a shade off pitch-black, with dark red-hues visible when the glass is held up to the light. The head is a light tan, a colour imparted from the two chocolate malts? The beer imparts an aroma of earth, chocolate and roasted coffee beans. Light carbonation tickles the tongue and the charred coffee bean aroma follows through into the taste up front. Earthy, dank peaty flavours are present in the finish. The beer has a satisfyingly thick, velvet mouthfeel which befits a classic English porter. The roast coffee beans are more than a gimmick and act to give this porter an extra dimension; the coffee flavours harmonise with the dark, caramelised malts wonderfully.

Pipeline Porter is a limited-release beer from this very capable craft microbrewery on Hawaii's Big Island. It takes advantage of the Kona coffee, a Hawaiian-grown coffee; in fact Coffea arabica has been grown on the Hawaiian Islands since 1828. Its remarkable how many continents now grow this vital economic plant (nearly as vital as hops and barley... to me at least), which is indigenous to Yemen in the Middle East. At 5.3% ABV Pipeline is very drinkable and I wished I had another couple of bottles.

• Malts: PALE, CARAPILS, VICTORY, CARAMEL 80, EXTRA SPECIAL, CHOCOLATE MALT, DARK CHOCOLATE MALT, ROASTED BARLEY  
• HOPS: WARRIOR, MILLENIUM, WILLAMETTE
• IBU: 23
• abv: 5.3%

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