Catch Me By The Coconuts
Brouwerij Kees

 

Pours a pitch-black coloration with a small, frothy, quickly receding head. Smells of slightly roasted, caramel malt, dark chocolate and coconut, with hints of licorice and earthy/herbal hops. Taste is a great balance of slightly roasted, caramel malt, distinct, dark and bitter chocolate, some coconut, licorice, leather and hints of earthy/herbal hops. Finishes with a light bitterness and some chocolate, coconut and licorice lingering in the aftertaste. Full mouthfeel with a medium/rich body and medium carbonation.

This came as a really positive surprise to me, being my kind of Pastry Stout. I'm not even sure sure if I would call this a Pastry Stout, as it really isn't that sweet or with an overdone coconut presence, actually being quite well-balanced. I really like the rather dark, bitter chocolate presence here, with lighty roasted malts, licorice and earthy/bitter hops balancing out that sweet coconut presence perfectly. Also, while there may be just a slightly boozy note to this, it hides its ABV rather well overall, with a nice body and mouthfeel as well.