Lion Stout

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

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

33cl bottle. Pours a lovely opaque black with a nice creamy head, some of which stays around. The nose has fruit, nuts and chocolate, specifically, cherry, hazelnuts, and dark chocolate - almost like a nutty black forest gateau. The taste has more of the same with the cherry almost heading into cranberry. Overall, this is an excellent stout which has power but great balance.

Poured black with a light brown head. Mocha notes, but light on the palette. Not sweet, but not dry either. Nice nose and I want to like it, but it finishes quick.

Bottle. Pours jet black with large tan coloured head. Aromas of roasted bitter grain and espresso coffee. Flavours are likewise quite bitter with heaps of roasted grain. Lots of alcohol on the finish. Medium to full mouthfeel. Quite oily. Nice stout.

I poured a 12oz bottle into an English stout glass.

Appearance: Black as spent motor oil and totally opaque. Forms a large, frothy/creamy head which retains and laces very well.

Smell: Black licorice and a slightly tangy, almost sour dairy scent in the nose. I was worried my bottle was expired.

Taste: While the aroma had me a little anxious, I was quickly and pleasantly relieved after taking the first swig. This is what I look for in a good imperial stout. The first half is strong with rich sweetness - especially black licorice, and the second half delivers a strong bitterness of deeply roasted malts with a quick burst of dark chocolate. As the beer warms the palate really begins to develop with even more sweet flavors of toffee and caramel in the beginning. There’s a faint sourness on the finish, but it actually works with the palate, surprisingly enough.

Mouthfeel: Thick, soft and tepid with a velvety smoothness.

Drinkability: Weighing in at 8% ABV, Lion Stout doesn’t have the overwhelming hubris you might expect in beers like this. There is no alcohol present in the aroma or taste and drinking one is satisfying, and not a challenge. The soft mouthfeel enables the beer to slide across the tongue and down the hatch like water.

Overall, a very impressive stout especially considering it hails from an obscure country not known for its beer. Many American brewers could something from this brew.

Poured from a can. Appearance is dense black with a thick and fluffy head of foam that left thick webs of lacing. Aroma is burnt malts, dark chocolates, and a sweet alcohol presence. Taste is burnt malts with the char as the dominant flavor. Smoky. Dark chocolate plays a minor role and the alcohol is found on the back of the throat. Thick motor oil feel while maintaining a creaminess. Interesting beer. I would like to try it out of a bottle if I get the chance.

Clear very dark brown with a beige head. Aroma is sweet, roasted malt and coffee. Flavor is quite sweet and moderate bitter. Light sweet finish. Smooth. 270511

Expired bottle. Still very awesome. Not sure what a regular bottle would have tasted like. Chocolate bitterness.

Tan head, dark black in colour. lighter aroma (macro filtered?), some roasted notes, chocolate and sweet as well. Tastes is tart, medium bodied, little roast. not exiting but not the worst stout i’ve tasted.