Maui Coconut Hiwa 4Pk

Maui Coconut Hiwa 4Pk is a robust coconut porter from Maui Brewing Co. at 6.0% ABV, sold as a four-pack of 12 oz cans. This Hawaii-brewed porter took Gold at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in the Field Beer category, establishing it as one of the most recognized coconut porters in American craft brewing.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  IBU: 30  |  Origin: Maui, Hawaii  |  Style: Robust Porter  |  Brewery: Maui Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Maui Brewing Co. operates out of Hawaii and has built a reputation for tropical-influenced craft beer that stays true to traditional styles. Coconut Hiwa — formerly known as CoCoNut Porter — is brewed with six varieties of malted barley, hops, and hand-toasted coconut. The hand-toasting process is a defining production step; rather than using coconut extract or flavoring, the brewery toasts whole coconut to draw out natural oils and caramelized sugars before incorporating it into the brew, giving the beer its signature layered coconut character without artificial sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet toasted coconut rises first, followed by roasted coffee and dark malt. There is a subtle warmth underneath that recalls a freshly opened bag of chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and silky, landing immediately on rich dark chocolate and roasted coffee. At mid-palate, the coconut emerges with elegant subtlety — present and unmistakable but never cloying. The malt backbone from six barley varieties provides depth and structure, while a restrained hoppy spice keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering toasted coconut and a dry cocoa bitterness. A final trace of hoppy spice rounds out the close, leaving the palate clean and balanced rather than heavy.

How to Drink Coconut Hiwa

Coconut Hiwa is best served at around 45–50°F to let the full range of chocolate, coffee, and coconut aromas open up; pouring too cold mutes the toasted coconut. While primarily a sipping porter, it works well in beer-based drinks: a Porter Float with vanilla ice cream amplifies the chocolate and coconut interplay; a Black Velvet variation (half porter, half sparkling cider) creates a lighter, effervescent take on the dark malt profile; and a Beer-a-Misu cocktail pairing it with espresso liqueur and cream plays directly into the coffee and cocoa notes already in the glass.

Best For

• A dessert course replacement at a dinner party — serve alongside or instead of a chocolate course
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates tropical twists on classic styles
• Pairing with a barbecue spread, especially smoked pork or grilled teriyaki
• Cool-weather evening sipping when you want something rich but sessionable at 6.0% ABV

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Coconut Hiwa taste like? Coconut Hiwa delivers a rich, full-bodied porter experience dominated by dark chocolate and roasted coffee, with hand-toasted coconut woven through the mid-palate in a subtle, non-artificial way. A touch of hoppy spice at the finish keeps it balanced rather than sweet.

How does Coconut Hiwa compare to other coconut porters? Coconut Hiwa is widely regarded as a benchmark in the coconut porter category — Boston Mountain Brewing's own Coconut Porter has been described as "reminiscent of" Maui's version. The use of hand-toasted coconut and six malted barley varieties gives Hiwa a more complex malt backbone than many competitors relying on coconut flavoring or extract.

Is Coconut Hiwa good for craft beer beginners? Yes — at 6.0% ABV and 30 IBU, it is approachable and not overly bitter or boozy, making it a strong entry point into dark beer styles for drinkers who typically avoid porters or stouts.

Where is Coconut Hiwa made? Coconut Hiwa is brewed by Maui Brewing Co. in Hawaii. The brewery is one of Hawaii's most prominent craft producers and incorporates locally sourced ingredients, including the hand-toasted coconut used in this porter.

What foods pair well with Coconut Hiwa? Smoked pork pairs naturally with the roasted malt and coconut sweetness. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the beer's cocoa character. Grilled teriyaki chicken or short ribs complement the malty richness. Macadamia nut-crusted fish creates a Hawaiian-inspired pairing. Vanilla bean ice cream or flan echoes the coconut and chocolate notes for a dessert match.

What sizes does Coconut Hiwa come in? This listing is a four-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for Maui Brewing's packaged lineup.

Is Coconut Hiwa worth the price? Coconut Hiwa positions as a premium craft porter, justified by its GABF Gold Medal pedigree and a production process that uses hand-toasted coconut rather than extracts. Within the specialty porter category, it represents strong value for a beer with national recognition and consistent quality.

Why Coconut Hiwa?

The 2016 GABF Gold Medal in the Field Beer category is not an easy win — the field beer classification covers any beer brewed with non-standard ingredients, making competition fierce and diverse. Coconut Hiwa earned that medal because the hand-toasted coconut integration is seamless; it enhances rather than overwhelms a genuinely well-built robust porter. With an Untappd rating of 3.7 across more than 121,000 ratings, the beer has proven its consistency and broad appeal over a large sample size. For anyone looking for a dark, rich porter that delivers real coconut character without tasting like a flavored novelty, Coconut Hiwa remains the standard other coconut porters are measured against.