Judge’s Review: 94 Rating – Imperial Coconut Porter by Malibu Brewing Co.

Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer | Limited Release | USA

By Scott Birdwell

Judges Rating: 94.00
Aroma: 22.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 38.00
Mouthfeel: 10.00
Overall Impression: 18.00

Malibu Brewing’s Imperial Coconut Porter is being reviewed as a BJCP Category 30A – Herb, Spice & Vegetable Beer. The “HSV” portion comes from the addition of coffee, chocolate, and coconut (obviously). Packing a punch at 9% ABV, you won’t question its “imperial” pedigree, either.
As I pour the beer into my glass, I am struck by the intensity of the color. It looks like a straight up stout. Very, very, very dark brown… bordering on black. Definitely opaque. Clarity? Seems okay… It’s hard to say, and, frankly, I don’t care! Good head retention, as any respectable stout should have. As I raise the glass to my nose, I am greeted by not-so-subtle hints of roastiness: roast grains, roast coffee, dark chocolate, and, yes, a hint of coconut. 
I was eager to give the beer a taste, wondering if this is really just a stout in “imperial porter” clothing. Yes, it’s roasty, on the edge of “stoutness,” but not over the top. It stops short of what I think of as a stout. After the roastiness passes on your palate, the mocha character from the chocolate and coffee kicks in big time. And, yes, there’s some hint of coconut around there somewhere. It is very well balanced, with maltiness smoothing the edge of the roastiness while at the same time enhancing the chocolaty notes. Very nice, indeed. Clean finish.
You will not be surprised that the beer is full-bodied while packing that 9% ABV. I felt a warming sensation from that considerable kick. Yet, I didn’t find the beer “hot” from its considerable strength. It is well carbonated, but not overly so. No appreciable astringency other than a bit of the roastiness in the finish.
In a word, “Delicious!” I enjoyed the beer very much, indeed. My only very small criticism is that there is not a lot of coconut to be found in this Imperial Coconut Porter. I’m okay with this and not sure more coconut would result in a better end product. It should come as no big surprise that the beer took home a gold medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival. Great dessert beer! I am considering finding a friend to help me finish this bottle… maybe!