Garage Spiced Coconut Porter

Review Date 3/8/2021  By John Staradumsky

So, when it comes to coconut porters, nobody, but nobody beats out Maui Hiwa Coconut Porter, at least not in my book. I have very fond memories of the first time I drank one, on the island of Maui. It was not the first such beer I enjoyed (I’m not exactly sure which one was), but it is my favorite, and the standard against which I judge all comers.

Enter Garage Spiced Coconut Porter. This brew from Temecula, California’s Garage Brewing Company is a bit of a different animal, since it is a spiced coconut porter. Garage calls it a Porter with Toasted Coconut, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Ginger, and Molasses.

Garage says:

Sail the tasty seas with this brown porter as it delivers flavors and aromas of the Caribbean including toasted coconut, ginger, cinnamon and a touch of vanilla.

Hey! They left out the molasses! Never fear, however, they certainly did not leave it out of the beer.

Garage Spiced Coconut Porter has an alcohol content of 6.4% by volume with 25 IBUs and I paid $3.58 for my can from Craftshack. Total Wine sells it for $111.99 a six-pack (but not in Georgia). My can is marked BBD 05/08/21.

Garage Spiced Coconut Porter pours to a dark black (but no opaque) color with a thick creamy tan head and a spicy nose of toasted coconut and cinnamon. Taking a sip, the beer is light to medium in body, and I think I would like a bit more body here. The molasses really pops in the palate though and I am loving that, the cinnamon accents nicely as does the spicy ginger, and a hint of the coconut pokes through. I don’t really get the vanilla, but that’s OK, there is so much going on here I am amazed. A kiss of pungent ginger emerges too with some chocolate as the beer approached the dry spicy finish.

Drinking this beer reminded me of a Russel Stover’s molasses chew candy. I am sure loving the molasses here, can you tell? A little more body would make this beer perfect, but as it is I will give it four and a half stars as a delicious spiced ale.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 

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