Review – Maui Brewing CoCoNut PorTeR

The time has finally come. Maui Brewing‘s canned goodness has finally arrived in Southern California. While Maui has won medals over the past few years for their Coconut Porter, for most people, it has only been a legend, and not a reality. TheFullPint.com was lucky enough to try it at Stone 11th Anniversary last September, and decided hands down, it was an awesome brew. To my suprise, shortly after posting news it was headed for SoCal, that it was sitting in a four pack at Bevmo Pasadena.

Maui Brewing CoCoNut PorTeR 5.7% abv poured into a Stone Imperial Russian Stout glass.

Appearance: Jet black with an active, bubly light brown head. The initial pour gave way to a large head, but subsides down to a quarter inch that retains all the way down.

Aroma: Dark chocolate, Hershey’s cocoa baking powder and a small whiff of confectionery toasted coconut.

Taste: Bitter chocolate that finishes a tad tangy or sour. After you swallow and pucker your mouth, you will be able to find the toasted coconut. Don’t be confused with fresh coconut that would be sweet and light, this has the properties of caramelized, toasted coconut in the finish. Hints of smoke are found as well. This brew starts off sweet then ends rather dry.

Mouthfeel: Perfect viscosity for a porter. The chocolate and cocoa flavors coat your mouth, begging you to pick it up for another sip.

Overall: This beer would knock the socks of of anyone for multiple reasons. First off, its in a can. This ain’t no Schlitz, this is fine craft brew. Secondly, this is great for a porter. Not too heavy and stout, but has plenty of body and character. Lastly, the name CoCoNut PorTeR begs you to look for the “CoCoNut”, so you will spend longer trying to pick out the flavors on this one.