Lion Stout

Brewed by Lion Brewery (Sri Lanka)
Style: Foreign Stout
Biyagama, Sri Lanka

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

Hard not to like this beer when you learn the story behind it. And there are far, far worse stouts out there on the domestic side of the aisle. Lion Stout doesn’t present much of a nose, nor does the somewhat sparkly mouthfeel complement the depth of flavor to be found. Yet these subtle flaws are easily overlooked once the smoky-sweet malts ooze across your tongue. Chocolate and toffee roll over a modestly hopped finish, yet rather than turning into yet another mocha-tinged stout, Lion picks up mild notes of leather and peppery alcohol. It’s incredibly easy to take Lion Stout for granted; you never remember it being as good as it is until you open the occasional bottle or can. Sure, the ABV and slowly emerging sweetness don’t really set you lusting for another pint, but the one you do drink is worth savoring.

Bottle pours black with a tan head. Aroma shows notes of dark chocolate, roasted malt, licorice, and a hint of coffee. Flavor shows the same with hints of anise as well as some dark fruit. Overall body is moderate and somewhat sweet with a trace of alcohol on the finish.

First impressions are good. There is a mystique to this stout resulting from its complex mocha flavor. However, after a few sips, one becomes quickly convinced that this will be the last Lion Stout of the night. The stout begins to show a licorice quality. It sticks to one’s throat and winds up tasting more like medicine than a drinkable beverage.

A deep dark pour with a large head. The aroma of malts,chocolate and malts. A very creamy taste, carbonation is low and you can lightly taste the alcohol. I found the stout enjoyable.

Can, shared with Abio. Pours black, tiny beige head, shiny ink black surface. Strong coffee and chocolate aroma’s. Balanced in taste. Very smooth and silky, good minimalistic carbonation. Sri Lanka? A surprise.

Can. Very dark brown, a medium sized light brown head. Nice smell of roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, nespresso. Sweet coffee taste, a bit malty-yeasty. Decent, specially for a beer out of a can.

Dark pour with a huge 3 finger brown head that took about two minutes to settle. I could see white pinhead size chucks of who knows what floating around the outside of the glass. I held this stout up to a 300 watt spot light to see if I could get a better view of what was floating in it and the light didn’t even come close to penetrating. Creamy chocolate flavor with a medium body and mild carbonation finish. Very enjoyable.

11.2 ounce bottle- poured out an opaque, shiny black with a thick foam head. Aroma was burned wood and toasted malts. Excellent pallet, smooth and mouth-filling. Taste was everything one could expect from a world class stout. Smokey, with a wash of toast, a slight alcohol tang at the finish kept this fine beer from a truly stratospheric score. Sri Lanka? Who knew?