Coconut-Lemongrass Thai Pale Ale
Louis Cifer Brew Works

 

 

 

Nope! Didn't work. I was very excited to try this beer. I poured it with great expectations and enthusiasm. It went away almost immediately. The head is aggressive and very fizzy, like 7up. I like my head dense and foamy, and under control, not like defusing a bomb. The smell was interesting at first sniff but I quickly detected what I knew would go wrong. Too much of everything. I don't quite know how and why the LCBO decided to list it, it is candy in beer form. The first sip was also nice but like many very flavourful drinks or food, too flavourful can go wrong FAST. By the 4th sip, it's too much, it's flat, the hops compete with the sugar and artificial (feels artificial) coconut and the lemongrass would have been better if more subtle. I'm sorry Louis, I know you meant well, but try again. Thumbs up on the artwork, though, nice can.

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; dated Jul 20 2018, listed at 6.5% and served slightly chilled. I've never been real big on coconut, but every beer deserves a fair look.

Pours a hazy, translucent amber-bronze, with roughly one inch of frothy, off white-coloured foam situated atop; it vanishes into the ether within two minutes' time, leaving behind a narrow collar and a scummy-looking film on the surface, along with a scant sprinkling of lace - meanwhile, white particulate flecks continue to float atop the liquid... never seen anything like that in a beer, so I'm hoping to god it's just coconut debris. It smells of coconut butter-scented sunscreen, lemongrass, red licorice candy, butterscotch, cherries and muddled orange citrus. Odd, and not what I'd call a winning combination.

A strange beer, to say the least - I'm not getting much of an "IPA" vibe at all, but perhaps that was meant only as a play on words. In fact, I find that its flavour profile leans more toward the sweet side (as opposed to hoppy) - I'm getting some bready, biscuity, caramelized pale malts and red licorice candy, soon joined by notes of coconut flesh and spicy, herbal lemongrass. These flavours carry over to the back end without much development... hints of grassy hops and citrus rind are barely perceptible, while the coconut, lemongrass and licorice sweetness last briefly into the aftertaste, along with a hint of booziness, which leaves the palate feeling fairly dry. Medium-full in body, with moderately low carbonaton levels that weakly prickle the palate. I don't usually find spiced beers to be all that drinkable, but this one went down easily enough.

[Updated Aug 5 2019]

Another can, dated Apr 17 2019. Nice-looking, tight, creamy head this time around, but I'm still getting that coconut sunscreen vibe off the nose, and the coconut flavouring is rather overdone IMO. I'm not sold on Louis Cifer's Thai PA, and I still don't think it comes together very well (though, as I've already mentioned, I am not a coconut fan). I've given this beer at least three chances now, and I think this is probably going to be the last.

Final Grade: 3.48, a B-

Unique. Will try again.

16oz can into Night Shift stemware. This one smells a little skunky and there's an overabundance of floaties as I pour into the glass.

Nose is a bit awkward. Aromas of lemongrass and cane sugar. There's some metallic notes here also along with a weird sweetness. Beer opens coconut, lemongrass, ginger and clove. That's unique for sure. The flavors are there but it rests on top of layers mellow waxy hop bitterness and sugar. Not bad... but not good. Body is light with ample carbonation. Prickly and foamy in the mouth. This is a touch over carbonated. Finishes dry. Again, waxy.

Overall, this is a good idea and I like me some coconut beers. But this one sadly falls flat.

 

 

 

Listed as ThaiPA with lemongrass and coconut, so I think this is the beer. Now at 6.5% ABV. Served cold into a pint glass and purchased from the LCBO for around $$3.25 CDN.

Appearance - Hazy amber colored brew with golden highlights and topped by a finger plus of creamy and dense white head. Modest head retention and some visible effervescence.

Smell - Earthy notes, some malt and hints of coconut. Not a terribly robust aroma. Some light citrus (thinking lemon) but not terribly citrus as there is a leafy component to that aroma as well.

Taste - Spices, lemon, lemongrass and coconut do form an interesting tasting beer. Not terrible intense not is the bitterness too high although those close is quite nice. Hard to nail down but for me it doesn't quite all work together. Coconut sweetness is more prevalent once you get a few sips in.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, a touch sticky carbonation on the fizzier side and finish is fairly dry.

Overall -A decent an interesting experience, but not one I'm necessarily eager to repeat. Interesting spiced pale ale with not quite enough coconut or lemongrass to make an impact.