Beer Review: Atlantic Coal Porter

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 6.5 percent

Appearance: Here we find ourselves with yet another brew that if it didn't have the color similar to that of its title we'd have a problem. Luckily, everything ended up just right for this one. The color of the body was in deed coal black! It also boasted some golden brown hues. The head rose to a thickness of about a half-inch and appeared to be somewhere in between a white and a beige. It did look flat after the initial pour, but after foaming up it did leave a ring of foam entirely across the glass without any breaks.

Smell: Very dark, but with some interesting layers. I got plenty of cocoa and roast. Behind that came some sweeter and darker malts.

Taste: I was bombarded with some cocoa and dark chocolate up front. I haven't come across too many porters that had a layer of cocoa and one with darker chocolate playing off of one another. The dark chocolate became more prevalent and noticeable about mid-way back. It was at this point that some robust coffee flavors came out and combined with the dark malts perfectly. I think this assisted in the roasty and bitter after taste I got after each of my sips of this brew.

Overall Rating: 

This was an aged beer on my part. If you grab one of these today you're likely to see a completely re-branded bottle. I couldn't find anything wrong with this. It definitely was complex for a porter, which we get used to being basic and not featuring quite as many layers of flavor. Different chocolate tastes and some robust and bitter coffee notes. A good beer.

Beer Review: Maui Coconut Porter

Serving Type: Can

ABV: Six percent

Appearance: This brew featured a body that was coal black and had quite a heavy and thick look to it. Stout and porter folk would classify this as "chewy." The head was a light shade of tan and was very frothy. it did show a sign of weakness after it reached its peak, though. It seemed to cave in, but ended up leaving some sticky lacing caked along the inside of the glass. It wasn't in the typical fashion, but it certainly got there!

Smell: I got plenty of dark chocolate that was plenty sweet. This was also a bit nutty. I settled on the idea that this was something close to almond. Oh yea, and there's coconut.! Coconut and chocolate is such a great combination.

Taste: I was hit with a plethora of the dark chocolate and coconut on the front. The chocolate tasted very sweet, but the coconut did as well. The sweetness was enjoyable and not overpowering at all. The coconut in the taste also has a note of charred flavor. Nice and toasty. The front of the tongue is balanced by a roasted flavor from this brew's malt bill. The finish of the beer was quite balanced. There was a small bitter hop presence along with the almond. I love drinking a beer and being put through the process of nostalgia. This reminded me of Almond Joy bars. I was floored.

Overall Rating: 

The only other Maui Brewing beer I've had was the Bikini Blonde Lager. I mentioned in my review that it'd be perfect for hot on-the-beach drinking. I honestly would have this beer on a beach as well. I love being reminded of food's I've tasted previously in beers. this was just another case. Rarely am I reminded of some of my favorite candy bars from childhood. I've also had a coconut porter/stout before by Church Brew Works and the coconut didn't come off too well. It tasted like something closer to a twist cone.