Coconut IPA or Coco-not enough

In lighter Stone Brewing news (much lighter, think- barely noticeable) R&R Coconut IPA apparently has no coconut flavor.

And fans are sighing in disappointment.

As you all well know, my dear fans and readers, Tasting Nitch is a huge coconut fan. There are those who turn up a nose to the milky white flesh of coconut palm's exocarp, but not this science and beer loving lady.

Coconuts are curiously fascinating!

-When intra-venous (IV) solution was in short supply, doctors during World War II and Vietnam used coconut water in substitution of IV solutions.

-Botanically, the coconut palm is not a tree since there is no bark, no branches, or secondary growth. A coconut palm is a woody perennial monocotyledon with the trunk being the stem.

-In 16th century, Sir Francis Drake called coconut “nargils”, which was the common term used until the 1700’s when the word coconut was established.

-It takes 11 -12 months for the coconut to mature.

-Coconut growing regions are as far north as Hawaii and as far south as Madagascar.

For more facts about coconuts, educate yourself!

Coconut IPA? Might as well say chocolate sex, because my toes are tingling.

Now, my friends, you might question, "not all two good things go together i.e. kittens and UFC," to which I must firmly disagree. Kittens might not be welcome in a UFC wresting ring but they would make a fantastic prize! It is all in how one mixes the duos in life, you see.

What happens when two great things are promised but one disappointment happens?

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="216"] Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke- fail[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1621" align="alignleft" width="300"] Robert Plant and Jimmy Page- sensory delight![/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Reschan (youtube name recently changed from StumpyJoeJr.) generously posed the below video on his vblog about the R&R Coconut IPA, recipe included, stating that this is the stone edition while the homebrew version was different (including a more forward coconut note).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi3nstkiEQQ

[caption id="attachment_1614" align="alignleft" width="225"] Do you want more coconut?![/caption]

Debates run over at BeerAdvocate about rather or not geeks tasting the Coconut IPA allowed it to reach a proper tasting temperature and if more added coconut would destroy the 'subtle exotic' aspect of the brew.

For #IPADAY I shared details on my longing desire for Coconut beer but chose a Cocoa IPA from Brazil as a substitute choice for the holiday.

What about ANOTHER Coconut IPA?

That's right, there are others.

In Beer of Tomorrow's pick of the week 'sometimes you feel like a nut' the always futuristic city of angel's beer blog suggests that, if you we are seeking a coconut IPA then The Bruery's Tasting Room is where we should be digging:

"The Bruery’s new Humulus Palm – a Tasting Room exclusive beer – takes the coconut IPA idea and knocks it out of the park. There is no doubt you are drinking a coconut beer from the minute the glass arrives in front of you. The nearly 8.5%ABV beer is light-in-body and extra hoppy, and it is redolent of the tropical fruit. On the palate, the flavors land between coconut water and a mouthful of fresh shredded coconut flesh and is accompanied by plenty of dank and pungent hops."

The subtle aspects of Stone's R&R Coconut IPA are perhaps too understated for a coco-nut lover like me- it is surely no Maui Coconut Porter. But for someone who isn't a coconut curry plate licker like us, maybe the delicate hints of the seed/fruit/nut are enough to balance and refresh.

What can I say, I haven't tried the fucking thing yet. All is speculation until Nitch gets her Hawaiian Tropic loving lips around the brew.

XOXO