Coconut stout

[wells11]

Just started a Brewers Best milk stout that I'm going to convert to a coconut stout. Any suggestions??

 

[wilfonzo]

I just finished a coconut porter, here's what I did as recommended from another thread somewhere...

Lightly toasted 16oz in a pan
put into a 5 gallon paint bag and racked into a keg with it.

 

[wells11]

Thanks! I'll give if a try.

 

[bkorver]

I'm drinking a coconut brown right now. I got a pound and a half of unsweetened coconut flakes and roasted them in the oven on a cookie sheet (it took 2 cookie sheets and at 350 about 20 minutes to be nice golden brown.) I racked a standard brown ale into secondary on top of the coconut and let it sit for about 2 weeks. The coconut sucked up almost a half gallon of wort, so plan for that... Turned out better than I hoped.

 

[NorthRiverS]

I'm going to be making a coconut Porter next month. I am planning to add coconut extract to the brew. Not sure how it would compare. We'll see.

NRS

 

[wells11]

I'm drinking a coconut brown right now. I got a pound and a half of unsweetened coconut flakes and roasted them in the oven on a cookie sheet (it took 2 cookie sheets and at 350 about 20 minutes to be nice golden brown.) I racked a standard brown ale into secondary on top of the coconut and let it sit for about 2 weeks. The coconut sucked up almost a half gallon of wort, so plan for that... Turned out better than I hoped.

I would of never thought it would soak up that much, I was more worried about the oils ruining the head retention.

 

[blueballsbrewer]

Just started a Brewers Best milk stout that I'm going to convert to a coconut stout. Any suggestions??

add coconut? hah...no seriously that sounds really good bro.

 

[sivdrinks]

Just did a coconut porter last night. I toasted and mashed in a random 6oz with grains. The remaining 12-18oz will go in secondary. Obviously you'd need to use a bucket unless you plan on using a keg and a bag for the coconut. Anyone use a bag of coconut in a keg and leave it there whole on tap?

 

[wells11]

Finally done and in the primary! Can't wait to add the coconut in about a week.

 

[bkorver]

I would of never thought it would soak up that much, I was more worried about the oils ruining the head retention.

Yeah, head retention is not the best, but in trade you get a really great beer... I'm glad I took the chance, head retention be damned.

 

[bleme]

This does sound great! Any thoughts on using fresh coconut?

 

[Chia]

ok, so now you have me interested. i have a porter that is been in the primary for a few weeks and was going to go straight to keg. but now i am wondering if i put a little roasted coconut in the bottom of a few bottles and tried it that way first! any thoughts?

 

[wells11]

ok, so now you have me interested. i have a porter that is been in the primary for a few weeks and was going to go straight to keg. but now i am wondering if i put a little roasted coconut in the bottom of a few bottles and tried it that way first! any thoughts?

Might not be a bad idea, I heard of people kegging the beer with coconut and also infusing it while pouring. Curious to hear how that worked for you.
Less then 24 hrs and mine already went through violent ferm.

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Last year I brewed an oatmeal stout kit from my LHBS. I added a 1oz. bottle of coconut extract to the bottling bucket. It was one of my favorites.

 

[wells11]

Last year I brewed an oatmeal stout kit from my LHBS. I added a 1oz. bottle of coconut extract to the bottling bucket. It was one of my favorites.

Did it have the head retention problem you get if you use toasted coconut flakes?

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Did it have the head retention problem you get if you use toasted coconut flakes?

No problem at all that I noticed.

 

[Desertups]

I made a coconut porter last year that turned out really good. Head retention was good as well, but as part of the recipe I included 0.5# Carapils and 0.5# roasted barley. When I made it last time I toasted 1.5# coconut at 350 then racked on top in seconday. The coconut flavor was HUGE! Almost too big as it kind of overshadowed the flavor of the beer. I have it in the fermenter right now (2 week in primary) and am going to toast and transfer tomorrow onto 12 oz (about half of what I used before) coconut for another week. It'll be interesting to compare the two.

I will also be looking at doing a coconut milk stout for the fall/winter. So many brews to make, so little time!! :rockin:

 

[wells11]

Thanks for the info. I have had the coconut in the secondary for about three weeks I used 1 coconut shredded and toasted. I may bottle this week or next. Can't wait to try it. A local brew pub/ restaurant makes this style of beer in the spring.

 

[sivdrinks]

Just racked mine off the coconut after two weeks. Kinda has that vegetal taste, hope that changes. Bottled one beer to see how it tastes in two weeks.

 

[kevinb]

I'm going to be making a coconut Porter next month. I am planning to add coconut extract to the brew. Not sure how it would compare. We'll see.

NRS

How did your beer turn out with the extract?

 

[NorthRiverS]

It was fantastic. Very smooth with a nice mild coconut flavor. One of my all time best. I will be doing it again later this month. 1oz. of coconut extract to half (2 1/2 gal.) The other half will be a vanilla Porter.

NRS

 

[TVM71]

It was fantastic. Very smooth with a nice mild coconut flavor. One of my all time best. I will be doing it again later this month. 1oz. of coconut extract to half (2 1/2 gal.) The other half will be a vanilla Porter.

NRS

What extract did you use and where did you pick it up?

 

[TVM71]

Last year I brewed an oatmeal stout kit from my LHBS. I added a 1oz. bottle of coconut extract to the bottling bucket. It was one of my favorites.

Interested in doing something like this. What extract did you use and where did you get it?

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

I used McCormick Imitation Coconut Extract from my local grocery store. I have also used Spicebarn Coconut extract, but I prefer McCormick. Just me.

 

[fosaisu]

I'm drinking a coconut brown right now. I got a pound and a half of unsweetened coconut flakes and roasted them in the oven on a cookie sheet (it took 2 cookie sheets and at 350 about 20 minutes to be nice golden brown.) I racked a standard brown ale into secondary on top of the coconut and let it sit for about 2 weeks. The coconut sucked up almost a half gallon of wort, so plan for that... Turned out better than I hoped.

I used the same basic approach and was very happy with the results. I'd add a few comments:

• Keep an eye on the coconut flakes while you're baking, and stir them every few minutes. My flakes were very fine, and the flakes at the bottom that were resting on the cookie sheet quickly got extra brown (i.e. a bit burnt) even though the top portion didn't look very brown at all. I used them all anyway and the beer still tasted great, but save yourself the concern of using burned ingredients and stir frequently.
• Head and head retention improved with my beer over time. Not much at 2-3 weeks, pretty good at 1 month.
• The coconut flavor was too intense at first tasting, but quickly mellowed. 16 oz is a reasonable amount to use.

 

[skullface1818]

Id jsut say not to do it. Ive tried a LOT of coconut-infused beers, and for ALL of the Ive had to be told that they where coconut beers

If I wasn't told that, I would not had been able to guess it.
I just dont see the point of adding coconut to a brew.

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Id jsut say not to do it. Ive tried a LOT of coconut-infused beers, and for ALL of the Ive had to be told that they where coconut beers

If I wasn't told that, I would not had been able to guess it.
I just dont see the point of adding coconut to a brew.

Strongly disagree. I'm drinking one right now. To me it tastes like a liquid Mounds bar.

I have had vanilla "disappear" in a beer, but I think the coconut holds up well. I'm only speaking for extract. I haven't used real coconut.

To each his own, of course, but I think coconut really works well in an oatmeal or cream stout.

 

[fosaisu]

Id jsut say not to do it. Ive tried a LOT of coconut-infused beers, and for ALL of the Ive had to be told that they where coconut beers

If I wasn't told that, I would not had been able to guess it.
I just dont see the point of adding coconut to a brew.

I'm drinking one right now and also have to disagree - unless you're genetically predisposed not to pick up coconut I think you'd taste it if you were having one with me!

 

[skullface1818]

I'm drinking one right now and also have to disagree - unless you're genetically predisposed not to pick up coconut I think you'd taste it if you were having one with me!

Believe me, I'm always up to trying new beers and changing my opinions. I'm mostly speaking from the commercial examples I've had in the past (koko brown and my own attempt at using raw coconuts in my own brew)

where did you find extract? or was it made with vodka and shaved coconuts?

 

[craigger64]

Thanks for the info. I have had the coconut in the secondary for about three weeks I used 1 coconut shredded and toasted. I may bottle this week or next. Can't wait to try it. A local brew pub/ restaurant makes this style of beer in the spring.

Would that be The Church Brew Works? Had an AMAZING coconut stout the last time I was there!