— a brown porter from the Orange Blossom Brewing Company

published Dec 10 ’14

Packaging
The packaging is dark brown which seems to be a reference to the brew’s color.  The bottle label and the six pack cardboard is full of tropical images.  It’s not high-tech graphics or even photographs.  Instead they are simple drawings of tiki torches, Polynesian idols, and a flaming coconut.  Even the font used on the brew’s name is constructed from bamboo.

My cousin VJ mentioned a different coconut porter that he had recently enjoyed so when I saw Toasted Coconut Porter in the store cooler and I had to give it a try.  Its packaging is not splashy or necessarily inviting.  Overall its a pretty flat presentation.  But the colors and graphics tell the story of exactly what’s in the bottle, which is why I grabbed the six pack.

From the Brewer
Toasted Coconut Porter is a product of the Orange Blossom Brewing Company, an independent brewer based out of Orlando, Florida.  Their site has an up-to-date design, but it is thin on content which is a bit disappointing.  They are not far from my home here in Florida and it would be cool to have more info about them and their beers.  There is a brief history of their brewery and there is also a handful of pictures in their online gallery.  Two thumbs up that each beer has its own webpage, but even there they do need to increase the content. 

As a first generation internet addict, part of my enjoyment of nearly everything includes an online experience and at best this one is lacking.

Toasted Coconut Porter is one of seven beers in the Orange Blossom lineup.  With 5.25% ABV, Toasted Coconut Porter is noted as a brown porter.

Check it out at OrangeBlossomBrewing.com

Color
Thanks again to BeerColor.com for providing a fantastic tool for determining beer color. After comparing both scales to Toasted Coconut Porter, the color is a solid 16 in Degrees Lovibond which makes it a Medium Brown beer.

Taste
Toasted Coconut has a flat but heavy start, not especially aromatic.

Its middle is very malty.  There is not as much coconut flavor as there is toastiness.  (ok, ‘toastiness’ is not a word, but it really does fit here…)

The brew ends with a very heavy, malty bitterness.  That bitterness lingers a bit but is joined with an unexpected whisper of sweetness.  That almost harsh bitter followed by a final sweetness reminds me of sipping a scotch whiskey on the rocks.

I expected Toasted Coconut Porter to hit heavy with coconut flavor, but the coconut flavor is really very subtle.  I really enjoy coconut and I ended up rather disappointed.

Usually I make a recommendation for an accompanying food.  But instead, I’d recommend you drink Toasted Coconut Porter on its own and drink it slowly so you can enjoy its flavors.

Final Facts
Name:  Toasted Coconut
Packaging:  Flat colors and pics with a purpose
Type:  Porter
ABV:  5.25%
Color:  16 degrees Lovibond – Medium Brown beer
Taste:  Flat to start, a very malty middle but ends slightly sweet like a scotch whiskey
Price:  $7.99 six pack
12 oz bottle:  $1.33
Final rating:  3 out of 5 Caps — thin website, bland packaging and not very coconuty.

There are better porters, but I still think you should give Toasted Coconut Porter a shot.