Coconut Rye Stout by Garage Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (Category 29A) from the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Coconut Rye Stout pours black and opaque, showing good clarity at the edge of the glass. It sports a tan head that leaves a thick stand of mixed bubbles on the beer. The aroma features a distinct but pleasant coconut aroma, followed by light roasted malt, caramel and a touch of spicy rye character. As it warms, a light hit of bittersweet chocolate, resiny hops and dark roast coffee emerge.

The flavor is equally complex with moderate bittersweet chocolate, roasted malt and dark roasted coffee. A touch of caramel emerges mid-palate along with a medium hop bitterness, spicy rye and a background coconut flavor. The coconut is well integrated into the beer and offers balance without being dominant. A light alcohol warming, fairly dry finish and moderate carbonation rounds out this beer.

This is a very well constructed fruit beer. It is complex and quite enjoyable with the coconut offering a complementary dimension to the beer. This is a lovely springtime sipper, but don't hesitate to enjoy this one year-round.