Reviewing beer never takes a holiday!

While visiting the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, I had the chance to sample Maui Brewing Company’s CoCoNut Porter. While most of the trip consisted of Piña Coladas and Mai Tai’s, there were certainly enough local suds to enjoy while on the island – CoCoNut Porter being just one of the myriad of flavors and options.

The weather was simply perfect for my stay – and while enjoying the al-fresco scene at the Yardhouse I decided to opt for a coconut porter to pair with my meal. If you’ve never been to Yardhouse, and you’re in Oahu, definitely check it out, as they boast one of the largest amount of beers on tap I’ve seen.

Onto the sud itself…

The beer came in a typical pint glass and was pure black, resembling more of a stout than a porter. The Coca-Cola-esque appearance reminded me a bit of Left Hand Brewing’s Nitro Stout, however that is where the comparisons end.

The aroma was pleasant, and definitely roasty and almost nutty. The coconut eventually breaks through combative scents of malt, chocolate and coffee – however it is certainly not the star of the show….yet.

First sip is extremely smooth and makes me realize that it is the perfect after-dinner sipper on the island. This is a great ‘go-home’ beer, to wrap up an evening of mai tais and debauchery. It is sweet, but not overly sweet. The roast comes through much like a typical stout – until the slight hint of coconut envelopes your palate towards the finish.

The mouthfeel is not overly creamy or heavy. This is a lighter-medium mouthfeel beer that is surprisingly carbonated – this way you are not bogged down after one or two and can still enjoy your time on the island. A few more sips and I begin to notice more cocoa and coffee flavors come out, as coconut takes a backseat to the traditional porter/stout flavors.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this turned out to be a nice take on a porter – a slightly lighter beer than a typical stout/porter that can be enjoyed even in the tropical climate of Hawaii. The CoCoNut Porter makes for a great night-cap sipper, with a lighter body so as not to prevent you from your busy vacation itinerary, while the welcoming, slight hint of coconut provides just the right amount of tropical flavoring to remind you that you are on island time.