CoCoNut Porter - Maui Brewing Co. (Brewpub)

rickyleepotts

Arizona

5/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I didn’t go to Hawaii for the beer… but I will go back for the beer. Holy crap, did we discover one of the best beers ever made. We actually found it by accident. While on the island of Oahu, we stopped in for a drink at Yard House. I LOVE Yard House, as they have one of the most impressive beer selections of anywhere. Hundreds of beers on tap; not even kidding. One of the beers was the Coconut Porter from the Maui Brewing Company. We were in Hawaii, so why not try a beer from the island?

Now I don’t like coconut… but this beer might change my mind. The beer smells incredible, and tastes even better. Smelling this beer makes me want to take a bath in it. (Is that possible?) The beer is also quite smooth, with a bit of a kick toward the middle of the palate. Then you are hit with a smooth, somewhat sweet aftertaste that just sends you to the next sip.

Having left the island, we figured we could order this back home in the Hoosier state. Wrong… only on the FAR west coast and on the island. The beer is also only served in a can (1000 bottles and a can on the wall?) They have a good reason for only serving in a can, so I won’t hold it against them. It tastes just fine out of the can and just as good on tap. (We ended up going back to Yard House three more times while we were on the island.)

The beer is just so well balanced. I think part of the reason I like it is because I can’t get it here at home. Sheryl actually took a trip to California last year and brought a few four packs home with her. She even grabbed a four pack of their IPA. I have not yet visited the island of Maui, but I can’t wait to go back to Hawaii, if nothing more than this beer. That, and to meet the man who goes by @Hawaii on Twitter! (He doesn’t drink beer, but he comes from the place that produces this sweet nectar of the gods.)

This beer is fantastic. Even if you don’t like porter, give it a chance. You won’t be sorry. And don’t let the coconut part throw you off. I despise coconut, and love this beer. Well done boys… bottoms up!

Serving type: can

05-21-2011 04:27:25 | More by rickyleepotts

BeerManDan

California

4.88/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

WOW! Poured a very dark brown, with a slight amount of tan foam. The smell of sweet coconut and chocolate fill the nose with a pleasant sweet aroma of the tropic's. The taste was the same as the aroma, except the taste of coconut was number one, the semi sweet chocolate was number two, with a slight hint of the roasted malts being number three. I just loved this porter. This will go as one of my favorites and will buy six packs upon six packs next time I visit Maui, next year for sure. Aloha and Mahalo to Maui Brewing Company!

Serving type: can

05-22-2009 00:27:13 | More by BeerManDan

PeprSprYoFace

California

4.78/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I can get this now that they started distributing it to Southern California. It is about the 4th can of it that I have had and I love this stuff.

It pours a nice very dark brown color with a nice size light brown head that was about 1/2 and inch thick.

The smell is awesome. Smells of hints of coconut, bitter chocolat, and expresso beans.

Taste is exactly as it smells with all the roasted flavours and a good malt base. I wish it had a little more coconut flavour since that was what i was expacting and hoping for because the coconut is very hidden in the background.

Mouthfeel is good and of any other porter but i wish it had a creamier mouthfeel because with the coconut it feels appropriate.

A very good beer none the less and i will drink many more of thease but I just wish it had a little more coconut character (creamyness and flavour) which is why im experementing with homebrew...

Serving type: can

06-03-2008 17:22:23 | More by PeprSprYoFace

GimmeGumballHead

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

special thanks to JoshuaGarrett4 for the cali delivery.

A - its pretty beautiful, nice dark color, thick head that might be a little much, but a beautiful lace that lingers for a good while.

S - really great and interesting as well, has coconut and chocolate notes. really nice.

T - really impressive complex tastes, chocolate notes linger long after, coconut on the initial taste was great.

M - little lacking, but everything else makes up for it.

O - pretty solid, would love to find some more of this sometime.

Serving type: can

05-19-2011 22:59:28 | More by GimmeGumballHead

mentor

Colorado

4.72/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I find coconut flavor rather unpleasant, but this beer is wonderful. Pours a half finger of dark caramel head over a pitch black liquid. Fizzy soda pop kind of carbonation. Smells dry. Coffee and delectible coconut. Vanilla. Alcohol is mild and comes across as a bit of spice zing. Perhaps some oily.

Tastes rich caramel. Mounds candy bar without the sticky sweet granulated sugar. Nice and refined richness. Chococlate and dark toffee with just a subtle hint of coconut. Coffee in a rich dark lingering flavor. Coconut carries a berry ester and milky wonderful. Perfect use of coconut in a fantastic sweet dark beer. Touch of nut. Light body which tends to stick, but dry carbonation cleans it away without any hope.

Delicate, yet complex. Truly phenomenal. Add some caramelly oxidation from time in my cellar and this beer would be a masterpiece.

Serving type: can

12-01-2007 00:23:59 | More by mentor

raiser

California

4.72/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What can I say, when I saw this at BevMo I bought four 4-packs, without even reading a review. I ended up buying two more 4-packs shortly thereafter. I wanted others to enjoy it, so I traded away about 2 full 4-packs, and pretty much drank the rest. The wife loves it and says I should always keep some in the fridge.

A: dark black, nice light tan head that quickly dissipates

S: Like a sweet porter. Nice caramel, malty sweet with a hint of the coconut.

T: The taste is amazing, it's sweet without overpowering, the coconut is there, but also not overpowering. Tastes MUCH better as it warms, and the flavors enhance substantially. DO NOT drink this straight out of your fridge!

M: It is pretty thick for a porter, almost bordering stoutiness. I like the mouthfeel quite a bit, very good for a canned beer.

D: This is going to be a pretty regular beer around my place. It's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but it's worth keeping a few around to share with others, especially if they are not very beer savvy. It's a great way to start inexperienced drinkers on "dark" beer.

Serving type: can

08-24-2008 02:18:53 | More by raiser

SQUIDPORT

California

4.72/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pint Glass: Dark brown, 1 finger foam.

S: Cocoa, coconut, roasted malt & a bit of coffee.

T: Bitter chocolate coffee. Liquid almond joy aftertaste.

M: Sweet chocolate coffee notes, very smooth.

D: Have you ever tasted an Almond Joy? That's what this beer tastes like a liquid almond joy. I wish it was a bit stronger but otherwise it is quite delicious. Treat yourself to some! Drink up!

Serving type: can

03-10-2011 21:55:32 | More by SQUIDPORT

pzrhsau

District of Columbia

4.72/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer has a great brown/black opaque porter color with a robust coffee colored head.
S: Great blend of rich dark malt and toasty rich chocolate aromas. there is also a fantastic aroma of toasted coconut.
T: The overarching flavor is a great roasted malt flavor with a subtle coconut finish. Great complexity of dark malt and rich flavors. The coconut is a great balanced flavor that really adds an interesting twist.
M/O: Great mouthfeel. This is a fantastic porter that adds a great coconut flavor. It's great because its a new twist on a classic beer I like.

Serving type: can

08-30-2011 00:31:05 | More by pzrhsau

gregc

New York

4.7/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Can from a trade, but im not sure from who, cause my girlfriend opened all my boxes and didn't remember.

Poured from a can into my pint glass, poured black with a dark brown head that quickly fades away.
Aroma of roasted malt, chocolate , some coconut and earthiness.
Flavor was very smooth, roasty , some chocolate and the smallest amount of coconut in the finish. A very smooth and drinkable beer, i wish it was sold around here, hopefully ill be able to get some more.

Serving type: can

06-23-2008 00:22:39 | More by gregc

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

CAN you dig it? Hawaiian beer in a CAN! I'm joining the microcanning revolution, among other revolutions ...

"Like hot chicks on the beach", hmmm. I like hot chicks on the beach, but if this were meant as a simile, I am missing the point. It was like a bit of quick-dissipating deep-tan/light-brown head with low retention. Color was a deep, dark-brown which allowed little light to penetrate. Its color made it tough to determine clarity, but it seemed fined. The nose smelled just like chocolate powder (imagine inhaling Quik). Mouthfeel was medium-to-full with a great chocolate taste on the tongue. It was on the finish that the coconut really kicked in. Delicious! This, blended with some Lazy Magnolia Pecan, could be a world-beater with those hot chicks mentioned earlier.

Serving type: can

07-20-2008 19:36:46 | More by woodychandler

slayer3604

California

4.68/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

a- insane mass of head, and an obsidion body beneath it! i like! left some lacing, and the head takes its time leaving.

S- COCONUT, a tad of roasted crystal malt, lots of sweet smells, such as plum, and a little fig.

T- A very thin body at first, then you are greeted with a subtle amount of coconut and a sweet, mellow finish. I like how easy this is to drink.

M- A little thin, but its exactly as advertised! I'm impressed with this beer.

D- at 10.99 a 4 pack its a little steep but beyond that, 5.7 abv i could drink this all day!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 06:52:39 | More by slayer3604

MoBitter

California

4.68/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

First tried this beer at Sone Brewery (Escondido, CA). I was a little skeptical when the CAN was brought to the table, but that feeling quickly disappeared when it was poured into a proper pint glass. Beer looked great with ample head. Loved this beer from the first sip - great coconut/vanilla aroma to accompany the balance of hops. Got better as it warmed (although I didn't give it much chance to do that!).

Encouraged a neighbor to try it a few nights ago, but he didn't care for it (he normally drinks "fizzy yellow beers," so no big surprise!).

This beer is a little pricey, if you can find it in the store (comes in 4-pack cans, ~$11).

If you like porters, I'm betting you'll like this one!

Cheers!

Serving type: can

09-01-2009 15:12:54 | More by MoBitter

ekardz

New York

4.68/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - dark brown - almost black, with 2.5 finger tan head that recedes medium-slowly, looks very inviting, can't wait to indulge

S - chocolate, caramely, nutty, smokey

T - nutty, toffee, chocolate, coffee, coconut

M - medium bodied - decent carbonation, feels smooth, is there alcohol in this? no bite/burn

D - amazing drinkability - have lived in maui for a few years before coming back to NY and I can tell you I cannot get enough, especially at the brewpub. This is a solid beer I can drink gallons upon gallons of!

Serving type: can

11-20-2010 02:47:30 | More by ekardz

tpd975

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Pours a dark black hue with an average head and no retention.

S: Not as bold as an aroma as I would wish for. There are hints of milk chocolate, caramel, and toasted coconut.

T: Ahh yes, that is what I am talking about. I really dig this beer. Tons of roasted coconut from start to finish. The coconut melds into wonderful milk chocolate with a touch of vanilla. Someone at the table described it as a mounds bar and I have to agree.

M: Medium in body, smooth, easy drinking.

D: Very enjoyable and damn drinkable. I really like this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2008 12:17:43 | More by tpd975

jminsc76

California

4.65/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours an espresso head atop a dark brown body, almost impenetrable. A decent amount of lacing down the side as the head dissipates.

Aromas include coffee, chocolate, coconut (duh!), some bananas, and perhaps even macadamia nuts. Smells yummy.

Flavors are delish, and reveal the roasty-ness of the malts combined with the right amount of coconut, cocoa, the aforementioned macadamia nuts, and a slight bitterness on the back end. This has all the qualities of a good roasty porter but with nom nom coconut added to the mix.

A pleasant, tingling mouthfeel, with a nice fullness upon swishing. Sticks to the gums quite well.

Overall, while at first this may seem like a novelty item (coconut? really?), this is delicious. It's well balanced and highly flavorful for a beer of only 5.7% ABV. In the words of alexd3891, this is dessert in a glass. Great job Maui Brewing Company.

(Since my initial review, this has become one of my top three favorite porters)

Serving type: can

02-22-2010 07:04:36 | More by jminsc76

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

4.65/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Finally reviewing this after having (too) many in Hawaii months ago, Nice black body with a fluffy, sand coloured head. Creamy, chocolate and light coconut scent. Sweet chocolate, coconut and a decent hoppy bitterness in the taste. Very smooth, creamy -almost oily- mouthfeel. Great, rich and tasty beer. Well worth seeking out. My can says 6.0%, not 5.7%.

Serving type: can

08-26-2011 05:59:58 | More by BDTyre

rayjay

Hawaii

4.63/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bought this from the brewery in Maui. Cool looking can. I drank alot from the cans over there, now I'm home and poured it into a pint glass.

Decent head, but it fades pretty quickly. I was expecting this because coconuts are so fatty, which would deter the foam. Actually I'm amazed it even has any foam. Otherwise, it's a pretty average looking porter.

Really chocolatey aroma, super rich and appealing. None of that east coast porter nose thing going on, and smells better than most Irish stouts. I smell toasted coconut, but I knew to look for it.

Really one of the best porters I've ever tasted. Big rich chocolate taste, like a melted Hershey bar. Lots of roasted, toasted notes. Very faintly hopped, with a gentle bitterness that's perfect for the beer.

The mouthfeel is the highlight with this one. Very silky and creamy. Light on the palate, allowing for big sessions. Perfect amount of carbonation, just enough to carry the maltiness and nothing more.

Great drinkability as well. Never too heavy. Wouldn't have guessed they could make a porter that's light enough for a hot day at the beach, yet full of rich flavor, but they came through in a big way. Highly recommended, especially for chocolate lovers, red wine buffs, and people who think dark beers suck.

Big time cheers!

Serving type: can

07-03-2007 00:50:53 | More by rayjay

gkatsoris

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Black. Very black, w/ a thin tan head that lasted for about 3 minutes.

S: Malts. Candy like aroma, and lots of malts. A hint of hops lingers in the aroma as well. Some chocolate, roasted nuts and bread round it out.

T: Very very tasty!!! Delicious. Lots of malty goodness. Man this is yummy.

M: This is the best thinnest beer I've had. Crisp and clean, great carbonation.

D: I wish I had a bushel of crabs and a case of this beer.

I need more!

Serving type: can

06-20-2008 00:44:15 | More by gkatsoris

brewgnome

Indiana

4.63/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I had this great porter at the Maui Brew Pub while visiting Maui. I really enjoyed the richness and flavor of the coconut. I liked so well I bought a six to bring home, but ended up drinking it on the beach with my son. Had to buy more to bring home! If you are in the islands find this porter!!

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2009 20:26:47 | More by brewgnome

GregSVT

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12oz can poured into a pint glass courtesy of MASPuros.

A: Pours a dark cola with a tan head that fades to near nothing and leaves no real lacing on the glass.

S: The nose is excellent. Baker's chocolate, fudge, vanilla, and cocoa. It smells like fudge and had me very excited to take a sip.

T: Taste is chocolate/cocoa, sweet vanilla, and a roasted maltiness. Great stuff although I'm not picking up much coconut.

M: Mouthfeel is thin but this isn't exactly an Imperial Porter. It could be a bit creamier.

D: I would drink this all the time if I could buy it here.

Thanks for the can, Mike!

Serving type: can

11-06-2009 02:46:52 | More by GregSVT

BadBadger

New York

4.6/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a nice dark color out of the can and into the glass. There is a pleasantly large, slightly off white, foamy head, which lasts. The smell is a nice mixture of coffee, with slight hints of coconut. A very enjoyable taste, coffee, with a coconut finish. A very nice beer that I would certainly drink again and recommend. Enjoy!

Serving type: can

01-29-2008 23:34:05 | More by BadBadger

Floydster

California

4.6/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce can purchased as part of a four pack at the BevMo in Redlands for nine dollars, drank two tonight while enjoying all my TV shows being back on, poured into my new Samuel Adams glass

A-Black with no light going through, small 1/2 creamy light tan head that settled after three or four minutes, some retention, also decent lacing

S-Coconut but not sweet at all and actually a little bit of burned scent, roasted malts, toast, a slight coffee aroma, some milk chocolate, and barley

T-Could taste toasted coconut at first, then some coffee and roasted barley in the middle, finish was slightly dry, as it warmed there was a little bit of tart and slight sweetness caused by the coconut but it still did not taste sweet like other coconut beverages I have had in the past, some chocolate came to the surface towards the end in the finish, not as dry as most porters, nicely balanced with the malted barley and coconut, the six different types of malt make this one unique and allow its complex flavor to shine, very enjoyable flavor

M-Roasty, calm, sweet, and dry mouthfeel, medium to full body, nice level of carbonation, taste lingered for a good amount of time, slight sensation on the tongue

D-Could have easily drank all four tonight, light on the stomach for a porter, low ABV, smooth as can be, alcohol is completely hidden

Thought I was going to have to wait until I went to Maui in August to try this one and was shocked to see it at my local spot, worth all the hype I have heard, pretty much what I was expecting, will be drinking this a lot more in the future, especially if it is readily available in my area, highly recommended

Serving type: can

04-25-2008 06:26:56 | More by Floydster

CamuMahubah

Nebraska

4.6/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Very gorgeous dark chocolate with almond lacing...

Smells of cacao beans...

Tastes like a Porter made for Summertime. A Porter like this could only come from Hawaii. Roasted coconut accents a traditional Porter malt base. Five different roasted malts were used, making a complex beer. Chocolate, caramel, peanuts, coffee, and dark fruits...

As mentioned above, this Porter was made for Summer!

Goes down way easy...easy to savor...easy to guzzle...It's up to you!

Serving type: can

05-13-2008 03:25:02 | More by CamuMahubah

gford217

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Can courtesy of CrellMoset poured into a snifter.

A: Pours pitch black with only a hint of mahogany around the edges when held up to the light. The two-finger off-white head dissipates fairly quickly and leaves decent lacing.

S: Big sweet toasted coconut aroma with roasted coffee in the background. There is also a big sweet malt background.

T: Taste is huge on the toasted cocunuts - so sweet and so tasty. There is also a bit of coffee and dark chocolate on a sweet malt base.

M: Mouthfeel is silky smooth with strong carbonation that tickles the tongue.

D: This porter is absurdly drinkable. I wouldn't trust myself if I had a lot of this in the fridge. Sweet, but not overpoweringly so, this is a fantastic porter.

Serving type: can

08-13-2008 03:40:40 | More by gford217

joepais

Maine

4.6/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks again Santa (Deuane)
The can poured into my new Smuttynose snifter produced a good two fingers worth of tan thread that turned to a thin lace. The body was the typical black porter color.

Awesome aromas of chocolate and coconut it smells like a mounds candy bar, this is great stuff. The flavor is nice and balanced not too much bitterness from the roasted malts and not too much sweetness from the toasted coconut. The only thing I wish is that it was a little thicker in the mouthfeel department.

Another easy drinking Porter enjoyed every drop and was left wanting more. If I saw this in the store I would grad a 4 pack of this for sure

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2008 00:45:10 | More by joepais