Pipeline Porter by Kona Brewing Company

Beer specs

Preferred vessel: Pint glass
Color: 29 SRM

Beer details: Rating: 78; Pipeline Porter; Brewery: Kona Brewing Company · Kailua Kona, HI; Variety: Ale · American Ale · American Porter; Alcohol: ABV 5.40% / ABW 4.32%; IBU: 30; Preferred vessel: Pint glass; Color: Light Black (Porter) (29 SRM); Added by kellik; Last updated by Rob Hudson

Pipeline Porter is smooth and dark with a distinctive roasty aroma and earthy complexity from its diverse blends of premium malted barley. This celebration of malt unites with freshly roasted 100% Kona coffee grown at Cornwell Estate on Hawaii’s Big Island, lending a unique roasted aroma and flavor. A delicate blend of hops rounds out this palate-pleasing brew.

Dark, Creamy, Smooth, Chocolate, Coffee

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Reviews

Review by kellik

Rating: 90

kellik

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Gainesville, FL

Oct. 28th, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.

Comment:
Kona’s Pipeline Porter is a super smooth, full bodied beer. I fell in love with its rich coffee and roasted malt flavor…and I don’t even like coffee! There was not a hint of bitterness in this delicious porter. The flavor of chocolate, caramel and roasted malts are subtle but present. I was surprised by how drinkable and non-filling it was. It had a dark brown, almost black pour with a small tan head. A limited release, Pipeline is available from September to March.

Characteristics: coffee malt porter rich roasted smooth
Review by Rainaterror

Rating: 82

Rainaterror

drank this beer from a Bottle in Gainesville, FL

Nov. 24th, 2008 at 2:37 p.m.

Comment:
I was hesitant but was glad I tried the Kona Brew Co.’s limited release, the Pipeline Porter. This porter was a dark chocolate beer with a roasty malt flavor. I was intrigued by it’s smooth coffee finish and delicious aroma. It was very pleasing to the palate and a good choice for an after dinner beer.

Characteristics: coffee dark malt porter roasty smooth
Review by mattly

Rating: 84

mattly

drank this beer from a Pint glass

Jan. 13th, 2009 at 5:46 p.m.

Comment:
One of the better coffee-flavored porters I’ve had. It seems to be seasonal, so I make a point of enjoying it while it’s available.

Characteristics:
Review by Brian Hefter

Rating: 82

Brian Hefter

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Portland, OR

Jan. 13th, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.

Comment:
Pretty delicious. Nice and dark, thick, and chocolatey. Stouts and porters are my favorite so I’m already biased, but this was pretty decent. I’ve had better, but I was in no way disappointed.

Characteristics: chocolate coffee dark thick
Review by Keith Aric Hall

Rating: 82

Keith Aric Hall

drank this beer from a Bottle in Austin, TX

Jan. 13th, 2009 at 10:18 p.m.

Comment:
This was my first experience with coffee infused beer. It was smooth, rich and flavorful. The coffee flavor was evident, yet not overpowering. It was well balanced. I don’t know that I could add to the regular line up, but certainly a good seasonal player.

Characteristics: chocolate rich smooth
Review by Jon Culver

Rating: 84

Jon Culver

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Seattle, WA

Jan. 17th, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.

Comment:
Hoo! Dark and mean. A twisted grin erupted on my face immediately. Delicious mix of roasted coffee and chocolate flavors. A welcome change of pace from my usual routine of pale ales. Great porter.

Characteristics: chocolaty coffee dark smooth tasty
Review by Kris

Rating: 75

Kris

drank this beer from a Pint glass in San Diego, CA

Jan. 20th, 2009 at 5:05 p.m.

Comment:
The coffee flavor is at the forefront, but not overpowering, and it’s balanced out by the roasted malt flavor. Has an acidic coffee aftertaste. (Good thing I like coffee!) This has a little less body than I’d like, but on the plus side it’s smooth and very drinkable.

Characteristics: coffee smooth
Review by Ryan

Rating: 75

Ryan

drank this beer from a Bottle in Spokane, WA

Jan. 21st, 2009 at 9:48 a.m.

Comment:
Was prepared not to like this one, because it seems like beers with coffee tones don’t always find the right balance. This one’s very drinkable, though.

Characteristics: coffee roasty smooth
Review by Remi

Rating: 85

Remi

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Spokane, WA

Jan. 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 p.m.

Comment:
Fairly heavy coffee flavor, yet balanced enough not to be a “there’s some beer in my coffee”-fest. I have to admit to liking it.

Characteristics: coffee slightly bitter
Review by Nick Nunns

Rating: 84

Nick Nunns

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Denver, CO

Jan. 30th, 2009 at 3:55 p.m.

Comment:
A nice porter to session on. Just enough coffee flavor.

Characteristics:
Review by mjb

Rating: 68

mjb

drank this beer from a Bottle

Feb. 7th, 2009 at 1 p.m.

Comment:
Haven’t yet found myself to be a fan of coffee-oriented beers, but this is smooth and my most favorite in the genre so far (others not rated by me here).

Characteristics: coffee smooth
Review by M@

Rating: 70

M@

drank this beer from a Bottle in Washington, DC

Feb. 25th, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.

Comment:
It was alright. The first time I had it, I seem to think it was better then than now.

This time around the coffee tastes fake.

Characteristics: creamy fake coffee
Review by Chuck Harmston

Rating: 64

Chuck Harmston

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Washington, DC

Feb. 28th, 2009 at 5:15 a.m.

Comment:
I don’t like coffee.

I love coffee flavor in beers.

This was very ‘meh’ to me. Nothing interesting or complex about the smell, mouthfeel or flavor. If it’s between High Life and Pipeline, I’ll take the Pipeline, but I won’t seek it out.

Characteristics: creamy meh overly sweet
Review by Eric Nance

Rating: 78

Eric Nance

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Denver, CO

Jan. 21st, 2010 at 5:23 a.m.

Comment:
I’m a coffee drinker so this was immediately welcoming. It’s a good example of a creamy porter with a smooth finish. I liked it enough that it has inspired me to make a coffee porter for my next round of homebrewing.

Characteristics: creamy refreshing smooth
Review by renobeerman

Rating: 86

renobeerman

drank this beer from a Pint glass in Reno, NV

Jan. 22nd, 2010 at 8 a.m.

Comment:
The rich coffee flavor is quite noticeable. The coffee notes, combined with strong roasted malt flavor, make for a complex, bold brew. Plus, the bottle art is a trip!

Characteristics:
Review by nilok

Rating: 63

nilok

drank this beer from a Bottle in Seattle, WA

Feb. 21st, 2010 at 10:01 p.m.

Comment:
While this isn’t a bad beer, it’s not terribly complex and I can’t taste a significant coffee flavor in it. It’s a good slightly different porter to try, but not one that I’d bring home more often than you’d expect.

Characteristics: chocolate creamy dark