Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter: Seductive and exotic

Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Porter

Unfortunately, the Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter is one beer that you probably might not get to taste.  A very limited release from Stone Brewing Company's Collaboration series, this beer combines the knowledge and experience of three brewers: Ken Schmidt (a homebrewer), Garrett Marrero (of Maui Brewing Company) and Mitch Steele (of Stone Brewing Company).  The best way to describe this beer is that it is like the amazingly attractive exchange student in high school- alluring, the center of attention, incredible, gorgeous- yet almost unattainable. If you are able to find this beer, be sure to introduce yourself- you won't be let down!

When poured into the glass, the Schmidt/Maui/Stone Porter immediately forms a thick head that dissipates quickly.  Very fine carbonation bubbles are visible at the edges.  Because this is a very opaque dark brown beer, no light penetrates (and the bubbles are thus difficult to see).  The first smell is when one notices that this is an extraordinary beer.  The aroma is like no other beer.  One notices the roasted coconut smell, which combines with a strong Kona coffee smell.  A hint of chocolate is also present, along with a buttery smell (the macadamia nut, which is reminiscent of cocoa butter). 

After a number of wafts in an attempt to discern the complex nose of this beer, the first taste is very rich.  Quite thick, this is one beer that has legs.  The Kona coffee is the first flavor to present itself.  The smokey flavor of the roasted coconut combines effortlessly with the macadamia nut, which brings an almost fatty consistency to the beer.  Other hints are present, including chocolate and malt.  This is one beer where each individual note sticks out, each flavor able to play a leading role and not blend into the background.

The flavor of this beer can be a little confused when first poured- and might need several minutes to breathe before opening to reveal all of its nuances.  The later tastes are still very complex, but a lot more smooth. The Kona coffee flavor appears to be less strong through subsequent sips.  Oddly enough, this is one beer that appears to leave a coffee aftertaste (with almost no hint of beer). 

This is a very ambitious beer, and although not perfect, it is different than any beer I have encountered. One can taste the great time, effort, expense put into this beer, and it is appreciated. This beer demonstrates what amazing things can happen when craft brewers work together. It is refreshing to see a homebrew contest winner work with two different brewers, which enforces the notion that individual craft brewers work together rather than compete.  The Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter also shows how some very diverse (and unexpected) ingredients can work together well.

Stone began distributing this beer on September 21, 2009.  A full list of lucky locations allocated to receive this beer is on Stone Brewing Company's website. Be patient- it may be several weeks to a month before your local store/watering hole receives its share.  I had to contact several stores in the Los Angeles area to obtain the earliest release, and then was limited (by the Torrance BevMo) to a strict 2 bottle per person limit. The Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Kona Coffee, Macadamia, Coconut Porter is only available in 12 oz bottles, and was $6.99 per bottle (not a typo).  This elevated price is due to the expensive ingredients and process required to make this beer (as further detailed on Stone's blog).  Certainly well worth the indulgence, even if one of my two bottles was slightly skunked.

Cheers,

Owen