Golden Pastry Coconut Cream Pie Ale
Sockeye Grill & Brewery

unexpectedly ambitious for a brewery i have only known to do traditional styles until now. its nice because it isnt overdone, and even though its on the strong side, the sweetness isnt too much and its not too desserty to be drinkable. there is a toasted note to the coconut, a light ester to the yeast thats compatible, and if there is lactose and vanilla in here, neither one really stands out, which is how the should be. its not so creamy in feel as it could be for what it is trying to be, but the flavor is right, i even get a little graham cracker sort of crust element to it from the grain, which gives it a relatively complete coconut cream pie character. some soft honey sweet to it, but less later on, the coconut seems natural and its there from start to finish which is nice. the strength is well hidden, i didnt even know it when i was drinking it, and it snuck up on me pretty quick. neat to see a decidedly modern beer like this from an operation who has been at it so long, evolution is cool, and this is pretty good.