Matryoshka (Coconut)
Fort George Brewery + Public House

 

 

Aged for months in the bottle. Appearance is dark with a slight tan head. Aroma is a mild bourbon and coconut. Taste is a very smooth bourbon and coconut that is a little thin.

 

Thanks to @lingenbrau for this one

Lots of coconut on the nose along with some milk chocolate and light char. It comes through in the flavor too, but the advertised bourbon barrel is very faint other than some oak. Does have some of that soy sauce in the background, but would probably be a little better to see some more of that classic bitterness and maybe some sour dar fruits or burnt flavor to cut the sweetness, but the coconut is well integrated. Tasty beer.

 

 

 

L: pours a lighter black with a big tan head. Lots of small and tight bubbles
S: milk chocolate and big coconut and bourbon...smells like a bourbon soaked mounds bar! The coconut is a awesome, wet fresh coconut and toasted coconut. It smells great
T: nice beer. Thinner for a ba stout like the pour indicated. The coconut leads the way, followed by light milk chocolate and a bit of harsh bourbon. I wish the bourbon was smoother and richer.
F: thinner, a bit of burn / harsh bourbon feel

Rich molasses cascades from bottle to glass, empty from color except for the soft and creamy dark brown cushion of foam resting above. Olive oil and hazelnut highlights do flicker as the glass swirls and once the cap has settled, which in turn leaves just a thin ring and what looks like specs of dust sprinkled over the surface. (4.25)

Molasses once again plays into the theme. The rich and sweet syrup walks hand in hand with toasted coconut shavings. Brown sugar, charred wood, chocolate covered cherries, and a deeply rooted spicy black licorice subtly bring out the best of the front running elements. (4.5)

Almond Joy bar meets serious Russian Imperial Stout, and I am happy. Dissected down to the t, milk chocolate, toasted almonds, and fresh coconut curls converge with just-less-than-burnt sweet German brown bread (molasses included), blackened grains, and oak. Previously sopping oak is squeezed and pressed for every last drop. (4.75)

Decadent, but not chocolate syrup thick, and I can almost feel the fibrous coconut shavings. Full bodied, with low carbonation that accentuates the smooth feel. Sweet with a touch of spice that tries desperately to bring this to balance, but to no avail. Boozy and warming with the oak stripping dryness effect on the finish. Lip smacking residual stickiness. This beer has it all, but is screaming for that bitter bite. (4.25)

Before Matryoshka, coconut hasn't been much of my jam. This changes everything. Yes, I'd love it to have that intense bitterness that classic RISs are made of, but I can't complain much about this one. Of the variants I've had, this may be the pinnacle. (4.5)

On tap at The Beermongers.

Black with a brown head with good retention and lacing, this looks solid. The nose is delicious with vanilla and coconut with lots of bourbon, chocolate syrup, dark chocolate yummy. The palate opens full with nice blend of coconut, vanilla, chocolate, mild coffee, cream. All the notes are light and delicate, instead of massive and in your face, making for a remarkably balanced beer. Wonderful mouthfeel. Excellent.

Pitch black with a generous dark tan head. Head recedes slowly to a stable ring and thin cap. Each sip leaves a sheet of lacing that slowly slips back into the body, leaving little hint of its presence. Aroma has a hint of coconut, but it’s subtle. Chocolate malt and vanilla notes are more prevalent. As with the aroma, the coconut is very subdued, but it comes through a bit more on the aftertaste. Coffee and cocoa notes of the dark roasted malts are the first thing I taste. The bourbon is ever present and the alcohol is a bit hot. It’s a little sweet and as it warms, more layers of flavor come out, including vanilla, and oak. It’s medium to full bodied with a slightly coating mouthfeel.