International Talk Like a Pirate Day: A Look Back to 2012

When I first moved to Asheville, I got a small blogging gig with a local beer blog. It was a lot of fun, as were the two guys I worked with. But, like all good things, it came to an end. The former link is no longer active so the blog itself went away without a record of any of the work I did for them.

In 2012, Asheville Brewing Company released a coconut porter on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and I covered the event for Beer City Guide. I turned this in to my editor who promptly said, "I have no idea what to do with this... so I'll just publish it." His voice sounded skeptical. So, to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I present to you my pirate speak review of a beer that came out 4 years ago. 

Probably not the same beer.

I attended the release party for Asheville Brewing Company’s latest special brew on Wednesday, September 19^th. In case you were unaware, September 19^th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. No, really…that is a real thing. So in honor of the event, the beer, and International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I thought I would bring you this review in Pirate. The following is for your reading pleasure.

Fer International speak Like a scurvy pirate Day, Asheville Brewin' Company released their newest special brew, th' aptly named Coco Booty, a moniker chosen from a Facebook Contest. Thought ye might think it was a chocolate porter, Coco Booty be actually a coconut porter. I have to admit, I be not a fan 'o some 'o th' kookoo bananas trends in brewin'. Many people disagree wit' me but I absolutely hate smoked beers 'n sour beers, which be all th' rage right 'bout now. That bein' said, I didn’t expect to like a coconut porter. I don’t hate th' taste 'o coconut, but I just wasn’t sure how it would come out. I had an opportunity to give a go' Catawba Valley’s Kin' Coconut Porter a few weeks back 'n found it not bad, but probably not somethin' I would drink a lot 'o. (Turns out it be considered a Sprin' Seasonal , who knew!) But what 'bout Asheville’s coconut porter? I liked it a lot more. Th' coconut was sweet 'n extra prominent but th' porter was well balanced wit' some chocolate notes really highlightin' th' coconut flavor. I was a pretty big fan. 

However, I reckon Asheville Brewin' Company really missed a great opportunity when it came to th' release 'o Coco lovely booty. I showed up at th' Coxe location right 'bout 4pm 'n sat right below at th' bar to give a go' a pint 'o th' new spiced rum. Th' place wasn’t extra busy 'n a lot 'o people didn’t even be knowin’ thar was a special new beer on tap. Th' event had be announced on Facebook, but thar wasn’t much 'o an event to shout 'o. Th' bartenders had access to some scurvy pirate hats, toy scurvy pirate swords 'n, me favorite accessory, a rusted hook fer a hand. 'N while they played around wit' these items, I reckon Asheville Brewin' could have done a lot more. How 'bout hostin' a full on parrrty? Invite th' town out to dress in their scurvy pirate finest. What do ye mean ye don’t have a scurvy pirate costume? I do. Doesn’t all ye pirates? Hell, tie a bandana around ye head 'n wear a stripey shirt: instant scurvy pirate! Have gift aways 'n costume contests. Show some scurvy pirate movies on th' movie screen. International Speak Like a scurvy pirate Day shouldn’t just be celebrated quietly. It be all 'bout th' spectacle. 

Since th' newest beer was bein' premiered at both locations, fer all I be knowin' thar was an amazin' scurvy pirate parrrty at th' Merrimon location that I simply missed out on. I had planned to wear me scurvy pirate costume but at th' last minute decided against it because I didn’t spy wit' ye eye much on th' Facebook page that suggested costumes were happenin'. 'Tis be a shame; I would have liked to have dressed up. 

To sum it all up for you in plain English: I was surprised how much I liked the Coco Booty but I was disappointed that there wasn’t more of a production around the release and International Talk Like a Pirate Day. 

Note from 2016: Turns out, while this beer is no longer in production, the Catawba King Coconut has since turned into one of my favorite summery beers. I really enjoy coconut porters these days.