Lion Stout - Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited

stumac

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sri Lanka! scored this off a bum after i beat his ass.

A - so black as night. very eye appealing. brown head. nice and thick.

S - roasted malt, cocoa

T - delectable. roasted malts and cocoa powder for sure. but the immediate taste is cherries or some other light red fruit such as cranberries. subtle vanilla. light spicyness from the subtle alcohol warmth.

MF - about as full bodied as you can get without being syrupy. smoothe. pretty low to medium carbonation.

all in all, a damn good stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2008 06:18:28 | More by stumac

Kemmerlin

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark milk chocolate appearance especially in the color with a descent size mocha head leaving a sticky lacing on the glass.

S: Stout mocha aroma with a dense chocolate or cocoa bean smell kicking in.

T: Dark sweet chocolate and peppermint with light coffee flavors in the aftertaste kinda reminded me of irish cream with chocolate.

M/D: Did not have a heavy feel like most stouts but did leave your mouth very dry. It was very drinkable and I would highly recommend this stout although it is not my favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2008 22:42:27 | More by Kemmerlin

germanbeer1

Maine

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This a very enjoyable beer. I had it from a snifter which served to enhance the toffee-like smell of the stout. It has a dark brown almost black color to it, with a rather tan head. Unlike a lot of the stouts that I have tried, this one has a nice clean finish to it, does not leave an overpowering after-taste and has a good body. I would label the taste as being a reserved blend of chocolate and caramel. I highly recommend this beer, especially to those who enjoy dark lagers and are looking for the same in a stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2008 04:07:47 | More by germanbeer1

ThirstyBird

Germany

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 625ml bottle into a chalice.
A - Poured super dense black with beautiful tan head that stays stacked up. Nice lacing.
S - Chocolate, coffee, dark fruit.
T - Dark fruit, rich dark malt with a nice chocolate aftertaste.
M/F - Thick and smooth. It is creamy with very nice carbonation and subtle.
D - It's great - a very nice stout to sip.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 18:11:35 | More by ThirstyBird

BehindtheFinBrew

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle to nonic pint
NFD

A: Pours a thick oil-like black with a 4-finger frothy dark mocha head that was retained moderately well leaving thin lace down the first half of the glass.

S: Chocolate and bitter coffee with dark fruit esters.

T: Sweet roasted malt with a nice warming finish. Bitter coffee linger with raisiny esters upfront. A clean stout flavor.

M: Chewy and smooth. Well-rounded feel with good carbonation to provide a fuller body.

D: Absolutely delicious says my notes and my memory. A great balance between roasted malt and fruity esters.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2010 23:45:10 | More by BehindtheFinBrew

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - Nice pour produced an inch of mocha head with a nice pitch black color beer. Was pleased to see this beers carbonation.

S - Smells of coffee, chocolates, mild dark fruits, a bit of warming alcohol and licorice but very mild licorice

T - Wow that's pretty creamy! The taste of mostly of coffee and licorice. Very little coffee maybe little than 20% coca but the ABV is well rounded producing very little ABV burn which is a sigh of relief!

M - Medium to heavy. Still a sipper but well covered.

D - I liked it. Came off more like a porter but it was a stout which makes it very drinkable. Beer was smooth and ABV was well concealed which I also love. Try this beer if you can!

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2010 03:53:01 | More by DrDemento456

BeerDocT

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Well, I just complained about the stout classifications and here I am reviewing a "Foreign/ Export Stout." A stout's a stout IMHO and this brew proves that aphorism.

Poured from a bottle into a chilled, wide-mouthed glass.

-Appearance 4.0: Foamed up to a nice head; over a half inch and a beautiful khaki colored head at that. The color of this stout is black, yes, but is a more clear black than some other stouts. Less "inky black" and more of a gem-like color. A beauty.

-Smell 4.5: Wow! Big, delicious bouquet. Notes of chocolate, brown sugar, toasted cereals...this baby SMELLS like a stout should!

-Taste 4.5: First tastes are semi-sweet chocolate and concentrated barley. This is followed by a big wave of cool liquid. The aftertaste is wonderful and very strong: smoky, chocolaty...just delicious. This is one of those beers that makes you taste it again and again to find other flavor levels and different nuances. Just delicious.

-Mouthfeel 4.0: This is a bottle-conditioned ale; "Beer Hunter" Michael Jackson's picture on the back label told me so! Mouthfeel is good but not great: a bit too much carbonation. This is, however, just a nitpick. Kind of like noticing a piece of lint on the Crown Jewels of England.

-Overall 4.5: Excellent stout. This beer could stand toe to toe with the best beers in the world and come out on top. This stout is refreshing, warming and demonstrates a quality of brewing at each and every level. Its high ABV (8.8%) is completely unnoticeable in the taste, so be aware.

I paid $10.99 for a six pack of these at the Lotte/ Assi Plaza in Atlanta. Good of the ol' Beer Hunter Mr. Jackson to appear on this beer, as it is a magnificent brew. Worthy of the name "Lion." Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 03:57:42 | More by BeerDocT

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer pours a black color with a finger of tan head that falls to coat the beer. The nose is really full of chocolate with hints of raisin in there as well. The taste is really chocolatey, slightly raisiny flavor on the start that mellows totally to a chocolate finish. Nice. The feel is moderate to thick. Just where I expect things for this beer. Drinkability is fine and dandy for a 8% beer. I would not expect a beer like this to come from a country like Sri Lanka.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2004 02:09:18 | More by kmpitz2

sleepingbear

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Chocolate City meets the Pacific.

I must admit I had a slew of predispositions about this beer.
I was thinking a Sri Lankan brew, really?

After watching the rolling, silky, fat-girl-in-satin-nightie pour- the first taste coaxed me into submission until I was lapping at the lion's paw.

A beautiful soft, round mouth feel is accented with rich, delicately sweet notes of cacao and coffee muted with a beautiful slightly sweet finish.

There’s something about a beer with a purpose that turns me on.
I mean anytime I eat any coconut curry (Indian or Thai) I will either be drinking this beer or thinking about drinking this beer. The Lion Stout even at room temperature is absolute fantastic combination with all hot curries dishes. This will be in attendance in the cellar for its occasions.

*side note: This brewery stopped brewing its beer to bottle water for victims of the tsunami.

Viva Lion!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2006 06:04:09 | More by sleepingbear

coldmeat23

Oklahoma

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

GLASS: Imperial Pint Glass
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 45 degrees

Pours black into the glass. Beautiful two-finger coffee colored head of thick foam. Retention is okay. Lacing is great.

Very nice nose. Smells of cocoa, vanilla and leather. Roasted chocolate malts. Very nice smokey notes. Dark fruits.

Big chocolate and coffee flavors. Huge roasted malt flavor. Slight hints of molasses, brown sugar, vanilla, and cherries. Touch of dried fig flavor. Here, also, is a very nice touch of smoke.

Feels very good. Nice and medium thick body. Slick and almost oily. Personally, I'd like it to be a tad bit thicker, but it is still very good.

This is an excellent representation of what a good stout should be. I'm very surprised that this is from outside of America. Tastes like a big American stout. Alcohol is very well hidden.
This brew is extremely drinkable. I want more.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2008 16:18:06 | More by coldmeat23

Mistofminn

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've been meaning to try this for a while, so I finally caved and purchased a four pack (at a fair price) for Surdyks some time ago. Finally got around to trying it.

Poured into a pint glass, the color is deep black with a huge 3 or 4 finger chunky brown sugar colored head. Excellent retention and tons of lacing all over the glass.

The nose is toasted malts with a spicyness that I wasn't expecting, but it kinda works. There is also a nuttiness and a nice sweet character going on.

The taste is spot on the nose, nice toasted character with a light sweetness and spicyness. Very complex and earthy, a treat for sure.

Mouthfeel is thick bodied with a creamy and smooth feel. Nice carbonation level does wonders for it. Drinkability is awesome. If the ABV was lower this would be an exceptional session beer.

Overall, a great offering. I can imagine this goes well with spicy asian food.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2009 19:49:06 | More by Mistofminn

Brianito

Tennessee

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is my very first review and I'm surprised that I've chosen a random impulse buy rather than a favorite. Perhaps this is best though to get used to objective appraisal.

**ORIGINAL REVIEW (6/04/09)**

Appearance - Pours black, as any good stout should. Nice tan head that fades rather quickly, very modest lacing.

Smell - Immediately upon opening there is a strong molasses/soy smell. Seemed odd to me and was a little put off. As it warmed this calmed down to more burnt malt with an "old coffee" undercurrent. Smell may still be a possible drawback to some.

Taste - Sweet chocolate with alcohol at the back.

Feel - Very light and smooth. Seems slightly thin for the 8% as the alcohol is subtly apparent in each sip. Still, flows nicely over the tongue.

Drinkability - Good. Could easily have a few of these due to the smoothness.

Final thoughts: Picked this up since it was cheap and am not disappointed at all. I think I poured it too cold which I believe contributed to the almost overpowering initial aroma. In future I would let this warm slightly before serving as it certainly improved.

Different than other stouts I'm used to drinking and a nice change which I would purchase again, although only occasionally.

**UPDATED REVIEW**

Upon further tasting, it would seem the bottle I purchased and reviewed above was infected. I picked up a six-pack at another store and was pleased to find that Lion Stout is an incredibly aromatic and splendid tasting beer.

That soy smell is certainly not the norm! I get roasty malt goodness with a smokey, cigar ash undertone. The smell and taste is very unique to me. Again, there is an ashiness that is very pleasant tasting. Chocolate/coffee tones as well. The alcohol is there but nicely concealed. Drinks easily and can certainly finish a six pack over the course of a few hours.

Very pleased I went ahead and tried this excellent stout again. This has become a regular in the beer fridge and is highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2009 08:29:25 | More by Brianito

Hoptometrist

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served from the bottle into a nonic glass.

A- Jet black color with massive fluffy mocha brown head with no lacing. Left behind some brown sentiment in the bottom of the glass.

S- Notes of roasted coffee, chocolate, caramel, and toffee

T- Notes of sweet dark fruit, roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, toffee, caramel, and vinegar. Finishes with a nice little alcohol burn.

M- Soft, velvetly mouthfeel, and warming. I have never had a beer that was this smooth and textural pleasing.

O- A very well-crafted complex stout that has an incredible soft and smooth mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 01:53:16 | More by Hoptometrist

BossHogg

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark brown, with brown foam. Looks like dark chocolate, or coffee.
S: Smells of roasted cocoa, nuts, and perhaps a little malty.
T: I taste the cocoa and caramel, but my taste buts keep getting some roasted nuts in there as well. An odd, but delicious combination of bitter and sweet. That 8.8% ABV isn't even noticable.
M: Not very heavily carbonated. Silky
O: This isn't a beer you drink 4-5 of. This beer is heavy and mind blowingly delicious. Once I stop trying beers, I imagine I'll come back to this one a few times.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 00:59:45 | More by BossHogg

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: clear, very-dark ruddy brown, with a small, tan, creamy, head that diminishes to just a ring.
S: Like a port wine in a way! Alcohol, plum, cassis, and light roasted malt aromas.
T: Wow that’s big and beautiful. Fruity, dark and balanced. Chocolate definitely present, especially in the finish.
M: slick up front with a dry finish, medium body, low carbonation.
D: Hell yeah! This is my kind of brew. Very good, and doesn’t hurt that it came at a time when I was getting tired of all the summer brews I’d had been having lately. But something about this one just really impressed me… made me smile. Definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2007 19:16:53 | More by ski271

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle version from Spikes..
Poured black with a slight brownish tint of brown in the light. Head was pretty nice, light brown and somewhat thin. Nose just smelled extra smooth and subtle. Some dark chocolate and mocha with a slight roastiness. Taste is chocolate upfront and the mocha hits you about halfway to finish. Not dry either like most stouts. This was very smooth and no bite. Very interesting stout. This stout is one of the most drinkable stouts I have ever had. The ABV was just right and very mellow with lots of taste!!!. EXCEPTIONAL

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2008 03:25:25 | More by barleywinefiend

starsbleedblue

Virginia

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

a-jet black in color with a thick caramel colored head
s- very sweet smelling, like a malty mocha with some vanilla notes
t- super rich espresso and chocolate... its like dessert in a bottle:)
m- thick, creamy, and velvety smooth
d- this is already one of my favorites so ill definitely be having it again

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2008 03:44:41 | More by starsbleedblue

mynie

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Sampled at the Plam in Milwaukee. This is from notes, and those notes were kind of drunk...

Very nice pour. It's rare that a pour looks creamy, but I'll be damned if this one doesn't look creamy. Dark, nearly opaque black with a tall brown head.

Smells like a really good, firm dry stout. Strong raw porter grain mellowed out by chocolate malt with a firm hop in the back.

Tastes very much like smells, only everything is lightly improved by the magnificient creaminess of the body.

Really nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2008 06:16:33 | More by mynie

jujubeast6000

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed 9/13/2009 (Bottle):

Pours an extremely dark brown color body, huge head, light tan, very lasting, creamy. Roasty aroma, some espresso, maybe chocolate. Very good smelling. Creamy mouthfeel, coffee and chocolate flavors. Slight ashiness. A little boozy. Less hot as it warms up. Very good tasting.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 15:38:24 | More by jujubeast6000

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

from a 12 oz

Pours a jet black with no transparency, with an oak colored head. Good head, retains as lacing.

Smells sweet like chocolate and malts, with hints of spices like nutmeg and a smokey aroma.

Taste is similar, with a mild dark chocolate bitterness accompanying the sweet notes. Rich.

Feels full bodied with a thick, oily texture. The carbonation is minimal but present in the feeling.

Absolutely delicious, a real treat. Hides the abv well. The only gripe is it disappears too fast.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2010 02:30:29 | More by Cylinsier

pootz

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml bottle: poured a pitch black with a gorgeous mocha puffy cap. Moderate carbonation for a bottle conditioned ale. Nose recalls coffee, dried fruits, toasted caramel sweetness and grassy hops. Full bodied, rich, and silky mouth feel. What a wonderful mix of flavors..all very mellow and not sharp or over bearing: cocoa, chickory, dates, musty apple, slightly charred toast...all kept in balance with lashings of lemon grass acidity from the hops and a soft drying charred finish that is totally in balance with sweet caramel tones...the finish is the mellowest, evenly balanced I have ever tasted in a stout...this is a world class stout and probably the best foreign stout available in bottles. Smooth, well rounded and very drinkable for a stout.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2005 21:49:40 | More by pootz

thelagerheads

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

In between bites of my bologna and mustard sandwich and dabblings in the fine delicacies of M&Ms chocolates and swigs of Lion Stout I can't help but be reminded of St. Augustine: "All things that are corrupted are deprived of good. But if they are deprived of all good, they will cease to exist. In so far as they exist they are good. Evil is no substance." But how can this be when EVIL is the man who has never gotten his PAWS around a LION STOUT?!?!

So what is it about me and coffee? I've never drunk the stuff more than 10 times in my life and each time with more sugar than a Pepsi and half milk. I'm a late comer to beer as well so it's quite peculiar that in concert these two should form the corpus of my favorite brews. I literally want to hug this lion. Both for the 8% alcohol involuntary lovefest and also to squeeze the daylights out of Michael Jackson (the brew guru) and his big mustache who adorn the back label. It also comes in a top-notch case which is as good looking as a hat box. 5 knocking stars and filaments.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 21:00:39 | More by thelagerheads

kboett77

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, this stout rocked me. I wasn't expecting much from a Sri Lankain beer, just wanted to taste it for the novelty, and what do you know, I think this is my current favorite stout. Nice creamy mouth feel with out being cloying or sticky. Just a touch of alchol finish, but not to much. Strong semi-sweet/smoky chocolate flavors without overpowering some lovely hop bitterness. Please try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2007 15:47:13 | More by kboett77

DoctorDog

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 330 ml bottle into a snifter.

A- Oily black/opaque. Pours with ~2 fingers of fluffy light brown head, which fades slowly, leaving a thin cap. Ample lacing noted.

S- Even with severely diminished olfactory capacity due to a cold, smell of sweet chocolate, coffee, and a hint of a liquor/molasses. Extremely pleasing aroma that has me ready to dive right in.

T- A bit of sweet chocolate, coffee, and molasses flavors. The alcohol is very well concealed/blended here. Excellent.

M- Smooth and creamy.

D- A fantastic desert/late night sipper, but even so, I could've sucked down a few of these in a row. Very, very drinkable for an 8% ABV stout.

Future outlook: Repeat business imminent.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2008 04:23:34 | More by DoctorDog

tanousa

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Beautiful dark tone with a nice tan head.

S- Mocha , roasty smell and bitter chocolate.

T- Nice tasre of molasses , chocolate and coffe, very complex flavors mixed in this stout.

M- Nice body, little to medium carbonation , cramy and delicious.

D- you can drink more than one because its so good but remember the 8 % ABV , this beauty can get you in trouble!

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 23:26:38 | More by tanousa