Black Pearl - Maui Brewing Co. (Brewpub)

UCLABrewN84

California

2.9/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Maui Brewing Company.

A - Came out opaque black with no head and no lacing.

S - Smells of cherry liqueur, vanilla extract, and coffee.

T - Cherry liqueur and artificial vanilla up front with the normal CoCo Nut Porter it is based on at the end. However, the coconut taste is very muted.

M - Somewhat flat and thick. There is a harsh alcohol taste to this beer even though it doesn't have too high of an ABV.

D - I wouldn't get this one again. It is very fake tasting in the cherry and vanilla flavors. The alcohol taste is hard to overcome.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2010 05:48:45 | More by UCLABrewN84

stoad

California

4.63/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

wow. an unexpected treat from my brother in law. had heard of his obsession for this beer on his various trips to Maui. This was tasted off island, and i am told this does not actually exist, but I have been otherwise sworn to secrecy. poured into a 10 oz wine glass. no head with a little hazelnut colored foam around the edges. no cloudiness - the color of a medium roast coffee (no cream). the nose on this beer is incredible. just a nice slightly boozy coconut aroma, a little dark malts and a cocoa-dark choco tinge to the edges. this should be sold right next to the cans of coco-porter, could easily fetch $6-8/can. just makes you feel like an afternoon in a hammock. plenty of rum on the palate without being too hot. the woodiness balances well with the coconut. again the hazelnuts. a slight metallic edge for a moment, but quickly moves to a long pleasant caramel macaroon finish. the mouth feel is a little bit thin, but not off putting at all, I just would like a bit more heft in this in the mouth. really something one should search out if in the islands, or elsewhere. as little a i am interested in traveling to hawaii, this certainly is a check mark on the "why the hell not?" side.

Serving type: can

12-27-2009 09:18:24 | More by stoad

istarilord

Hawaii

4.88/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Caveat: had this beer after driving all the way out to Hana and then back across to west Maui, which may have made it taste that much better.

I was excited to try something new as a fan of Maui brewco's canned beers. This sounded interesting and I like the coconut porter the best of the three cans.

This beer was absolutely delicious. Similar in appearance to it's canned cousin, a dark blackish brown with a brown head, strong (but pleasant) coconut & malt smell.

This beer was the epitome of smooth, just the right amount of carbonation coupled with the chocolaty coconut flavor was perfection.

Putting this beer in rum barrels was brilliant, hints of vanilla and spice (but not too much) took coconut porter from good to great.

The only bad part was they wouldn't let me take it home in a growler.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2009 11:50:44 | More by istarilord

Floydster

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I was stoked to see this after wanting to try a rum barrel aged brew for so long, I really enjoy standard Coconut Porter too, reviewed from notes, color was almost black, looked quite nice, 3/4 inch creamy tan head that stayed around a few minutes, some lacing, aroma had lots of Malibu-esque rum, toasted barley, rich malts, milk chocolate, mild coffee, and earthiness, the nose on this was amazing, taste was full of liquor but it was more sweet than overpowering, there was also an interesting hoppy finish, gets more rounded once you let it warm and it can be subtle at times, cannot taste much of the base beer but it actually all works somehow, mouthfeel is boozy, sweet, and thick, could have used some more carbonation, full bodied, could have drank a few more sips and that would be about it, stuff is rich and heavy, would be a nice beer to have with some salty meats, hope I get to have this again some time, I have never had Braddah Kimos Rum but it tasted like they just poured some into the porter it was so prominent, regardless I recommend trying this unique brew

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2008 03:37:07 | More by Floydster

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap and this one was listed at 8% abv.

Poured a dark brown -almost black- color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of chocolate, coconuts, light roast, cocoa, coconut milk, and light rum. Tastes of light rum, coconut husk, some chocolate, and roast. I found the barrel aging leaning more on the subtle side and well done.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2008 04:05:30 | More by hopdog

mrkrispy

California

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had this during my recent trip to Maui. I was already a fan of the Coconut Porter, and our server mentioned the Black Pearl even though he was deathly afraid of it. One server told me it was the coconut porter recipe without the coconut, the other told me it was with the coconut. I definitely tasted coconut so I go with the latter. The Black Pearl is aged for 3 months in the rum barrels.

Poured a deep shiny black, with no head whatsoever by the time it got to my table.

Aroma was overpowering rum, with faint hint of chocolates, and very little coffee.

The first sip was a doozy, again the rum was in-your-face and very forward. After a few slugs it calmed a bit. Noticeable but-not-bold coconut compared to the regular Coconut Porter. The beer opened up and was very smooth if not for the rummy nose. It doesn't seem hot even though it has the rum edge. Oak, vanilla, and cocoa notes.

I loved this unique beer and it could be a real powerhouse but I think it needs to age for another 6 months if not longer for the rum to mellow and the beer to come in to balance.
If you happen to be in Maui definitely make the trip to the Brewery and ask for the Black Pearl.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2008 22:07:22 | More by mrkrispy

atigerlife

Hawaii

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

According to Garret Marrero, owner of Maui Brewing Co., this beer is "CoCoNut PorTeR agedn in Brudda Himos rum barrel for 90 days" and should be classified as in the "Wood and Barrel Aged, Dark (or Strong) Beer Category." He thought the ABV was 6-8%.

Served in a nice goblet at their Brewpub. Pours black with little head. What head there is is brown, but dissipates quickly.

Aroma of coffee, rum and chocolate. Quite nice.

Taste is of coffee, light rum, grapes and some light cocoa in the background. Very interesting taste.

Mouthfeel is very smooth, medium bodied and cleansing.

Overall, a very impressive beer. Very easy to drink and very tasty. An unusual taste, but all good. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2008 03:53:57 | More by atigerlife