Lion Stout - Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited

Loki

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours midnight black with a rich caramel colored head. Aromas of semi-sweet chocolate and mocca. The smell carries through to the taste promissing a semi-sweet chocolate but finishing with a bitter coffee flavor. There is a mild hoppiness throughout The head lasted quite a while. The beer finishes smooth. A very nice stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2003 19:12:53 | More by Loki

stoutman

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge light brown head that lasts. Aroma is a palate of impressions. Sweet roastyness is the dominant impression, but coffee comes to mind as well. Flavour is very coffeeish and roasty. Pleasant bitterness imediately on the tongue and palate. Alcohol is nicely hidden. Both nose and flavor are full with chocolate and over ripe plums. A slight hoppiness seems to flow through near the finish.Excellent brew! Not a bad effort.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2003 18:26:39 | More by stoutman

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Black body with mahogany highlights topped by a dark tan head. Sweet roasted malt aroma. Some nice dark fruits and a touch of hops spiciness as well. The sweet, roasted malt continues into the taste, with a noticeable alcohol note as well. Just a hint of chocolate as well. The aftertaste is like a bite of a sweet plum followed by a cup of coffee. Maybe it's a jelly donut followed with a coffee chaser. In any event, it's good. The mouthfeel is robust and smooth, having a bit of a creaminess to it. The drikability is good as well, even as the slight tobacco juice note starts appearing towards the end of the glass. A beer that I should have tried sooner.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2003 16:20:58 | More by aaronh

pezoids

Pennsylvania

2.9/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This beer poured out an almost opaque black with slight tints of a deep ruby coming through when put up to a light. The head was impressive, rich and a dark tan color. The aroma is alcohol, caramel and heavy sweet malts. The taste was strong in alcohol, bitter roastiness with an astringent aftertaste. It's a complex tasting
stout, but the flavor misses the mark for me - although I do prefer dry rather than sweet stouts in general. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2003 19:10:41 | More by pezoids

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Liquorish with a dark chocolate hue. A deep heavy malt is at once, creamy and sweet. Lacking any real hop aroma the surprise is the full bitter hop bite. Heavy and flavorful chocolate and coffee notes blend in well. Tricky alcochol is certainly there, but hardly noticeable. The creamy head fades quickly.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2003 20:20:18 | More by BeerResearcher

rabidawg

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Dated November 2002.

Appearance: Black coal and tar blended with espresso, with a little red-eye gravy thrown in for good measure. Amazingly fine bubbles in the head, clinging to the side to shade the dark side of ebony.

Smell: I'm catching a certain metallic twang, with gossamer hops leavings fighting their way through the heavy malts. Nothing outstanding here.

Taste: Mouthfeel is thin and watery, and I feel as if I'm drinking a Coke float, with a creamy start washed away by carbonated malty sugar water. Malty and roasty, with a slight drying, yet oily, hop finish. I've never had a beer that so masterfully masked an 8.0% abv. Very drinkable, could be dangerously so if I'd bought more than a single. As it warms, I'm catching an almost ashy finish, but it's not as unpleasant as it sounds. Very carbonated for a stout.

I'd often seen this beer and ignored it because of its corny label. Have to say I'm happily surprised.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2003 21:01:17 | More by rabidawg

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really like this stout. I would consider this to be my favorite sweet stout (I do not like overly sweet beer). Pours a little thinner and more carbonated than a lot of stouts, with a nice foamy head (some retention). Very dark, almost black. Smells sweet and roasty. I plan to try this in a taste test with Samuel Smith (my favorite stout), which has the best balance of malt and hops of any stout I've had. Not much hop bitterness evident here. Real smooth for it's strength (8% ABV), will sneak up on you fast. As I said, I've had this beer several times, and have always enjoyed it. Nothing leaps out at you, but it is as easy to drink as any stout I've had, and will put a glow on you in a hurry!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2003 20:50:45 | More by JohnnyDuvel

cokes

Wisconsin

2.45/5  rDev -37.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Much less a lion, and much more a feral cat.

A ruby shade of blackness, with a skinny tan edge.
Aromas mirroring the inside of of a raisin box. Cardboard, wax, and stale dark fruits.
Astonishes the mouth with its lack of flavor, especially decent flavor. Slightly roasted with faint chocolate covered prunes. Rummed coffee towards the back of the throat. Some oxidization, wet paper, and building vinegar sourness to round this out.
Not exciting in the least, actually, not even pleasant.

Next.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2003 22:22:13 | More by cokes

Naerhu

Japan

4.22/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Made 15July02
Consumed 28Feb03
Ingredients; Malts, hops.
Appearance: Black body, tan head and long lacing. It seems you can see the alcohol.
Aroma of black currants, dark chocolate and ester alcohol
Taste: slightly burnt hot chocolate and molasses. Alcohol and sweetness dancing on my tongue. Long lasting rich finish and respectable bitterness. Believe the hype!
Mouthfeel: Rich and creamy. Is this beer or a chocolate sunday? Fine carbonation.
Drinkability: Give me another! Drink! Drink! Drink!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2003 17:29:50 | More by Naerhu

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.7/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of those beers that are just classic. I love it, possibly my favorite all around stout that I have tasted. It really is amazing, hell, even Michael Jackson endorses this one, but then again his opinion is just that another opinion. The Lion Stout pours a very dark opaque tone of deep blackish brown with hints of ruby at the edges when held to the light. The head that complements the body is an incredible milk chocolate hue of brown head, and leaves a sturdy even lace down my imperial pint. The aroma is saturated with dark malts especially the chocolate roasts. Very well done, and the flavor of this brew contains the perfect combination of sweet creamy chocolate, full of coffee roasts, and a smooth dryness that mellows the finish so nicely. With the medium light body and the creamy mouthfeel to each sip, this beer is so drinkable that besides the ABV there is no reason why it shouldn't deserve a five. Quite the impressive work of art straight from who would have thought Sri Lanka. MJ make some room cause this BA would like to sign his seal of approval on the Lion Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2003 15:00:54 | More by WVbeergeek

kelticblood

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a soapy like head that thickened up to a solid chocolate colored foam.Left rings of sticky brown lace even before the first sip.Consistency poured of oil that gulped.Aroma was of smoke,coffee,and chocolate.Very creamy,but not very crisp on the mouthfeel.Mouthfeel wasnt too impressive,and wasnt almost watery.Alcohol taste is present and noticed.Leaves a dry bitter after taste that stays in the back of the throat.A very good stout but not the best.Overall average.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2003 09:35:20 | More by kelticblood

schrist275

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A very quick developing head, colored like a frappacino sits easily on top of a very very dark dark maroon/black colored almost wine smelling bier. The first sip delivers chocolate and mellow hops. Its almost syrupy constitution lends itself well to the smell, they work very well together. If the taste could develop more of an after taste or carry the flavor further along the tongue it would be an outstanding beer. The alcohol volume is not readily tasted, but comes across in the wine like smell.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2002 09:17:56 | More by schrist275

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First off, let me say that this stout delivered much more than I was expecting. It's very unique, enjoyable, and highly drinkable. It pours an opaque black body with no visible highlights, topped by a full, very creamy light tan head that holds quite well and leaves really nice, full lace. The aroma is fruity, cocoaish, and mildly chocolatey. The body is medium with a very fine and gentle carbonation that leaves it quite smooth and creamy in the mouth. The taste starts fruity, becomes sweetly chocolatey, and finishes with a light, almost smoky roastiness and lingering softly sweet notes of chocolate and caramel. Very mocha! The dark malts lend a light acidity which accentuates the fruitiness and helps to balance the malt. It never becomes cloying. The well balanced bitterness is subtle, and it relies on the roastiness and light acidity to help balance the sweet malts. Although it's probably not the best beer for a night out with the lads, it makes a great appertif, dessert beer, or nightcap. Well worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2002 18:21:36 | More by NeroFiddled

Murph

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a super dark brown/black with only the slightest of light getting around the edges and a nice brown head. The nose has a lot of sweet malt and chocolate aromas along with some slightly alcoholic notes. The taste starts off with some huge sweet chocolatey notes and some slightly biscuity malt. As the brew progresses there is a slightly earthy/smoky taste that emeges as the brew finishes. There is a nice creamy quality to this beer that makes it nice and smooth and rather drinkable. I'm not sure if this one deserves the attention that it gets from Michael Jackson but it is a nice stout that makes a great desert brew with its sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2002 09:23:27 | More by Murph

putnam

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Milk-chocolate colored head that sticks to the glass. Deep spicy, exotic aromas of incense, chocolate, allspice and raspberry reduction. Sweet alcohol flavor drives notes of coffee, cane and grape. Good, mild, balancing bitterness on the medium-long finish. A decent stout to drink. Much better if you just smell it though.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2002 17:29:03 | More by putnam

dpend

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The first mistake I made with this stout was to compare it to other stouts(mostly Northern European).My second sampling was taken without the considerations to the others and provided a more non-biased analysis.
This beer is now one of my favorite stouts and will probably work its way on to my top ten overall.A well balanced beer that offered pleasure all the way through.I even enjoyed watching the head give off red rings around the bubbles while dissipating.I think even Alcopop drinkers would like this beer.
My only complaint would be the somewhat fizzy carbonation,but that again is noticed because of comparison to other stouts.I will definitely be having more of this.With cooler weather coming, I may have to stock some.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2002 07:57:57 | More by dpend

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thing & black with a stable beige head. Smell has notes of roasted malts and sweetness. Smooth, soft mouthfeel, very creamy. For the most part, a very good beer. I swear, however, that my bottle had a small metalic-tasting flaw. Still, the beer has great balance. Very tasty. This is the first beer I've had from Sri Lanka.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2002 11:47:13 | More by Suds

Jason

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml / 11.5oz brown bottle with an expiration date printed on the bottle. Stellar lacing on the glass with a ring being left nearly every sip. Coal black with virtually no light coming through.

Sweet molasses, prunes and black currants, thick roasted coffee, baker’s chocolate and a estery alcohol are all aromas I pick off of this stout.

Full bodied with a moderate carbonation. Smooth and creamy without a doubt, coffee and unsweetened chocolate come to mind at the first taste. Fruity twang in the middle of black currants, this twang doubles with a roasted grain flavour that is perfectly balanced. Hints of charcoal and earth run middle to end as the alcohol as kicks in with a warming estery character. Finishes slightly sweet with vague remnants of roastedness.

Not as complex as I thought it would be but that is finish being that a brew with such strength can be so drinkable. I’ll going back to this beer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2002 11:28:19 | More by Jason

pbrian

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sweet, fruity nose with hints of burnt malts. Many flavors present that all mesh quite well. Chocolate/cocoa, raisins/plums. It's light bodied for its complexity and strength and drinks quite well. I think my package store did me a favor by aging it for me(it was 4 months past its "exp." date).

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2002 06:30:17 | More by pbrian

Andy

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Creamy aroma, yet with some smokey hints. Big, bubbly tan head. Slightly sweet beginning, fruity yeast flavor. Smooth drinking.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2002 19:14:28 | More by Andy

packetknife

Idaho

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was underwhelmed with this beer. I was expecting more. Its got strong hints of chocolate and smells slightly burnt. It's thinner than it looks but still have a good feel. An ok beer but I wouldn't make it a habit.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2002 16:07:53 | More by packetknife

WilliamPhilaPa

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

(4 months past BB date)-This stuff is not over hyped at all...rather it's good!
Pours a huge and beautiful beige head. The aromas literally exploded as I poured it out of the bottle, notes of caramel, chocolate and mocha. All of the same sweet flavors can be found on the palate and it all blends together so well, perfectly hiding a high 8% abv. In the mouth feel there’s an amazing velvety type of texture…so smooth. This is one superb stout!
$2.99 for a big bottle–conditioned 625ml bottle was not much to pay at all! This stuff is great. Overall a superb stout, IMHO....

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2002 14:46:15 | More by WilliamPhilaPa

QXSTER1

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

As a fan of full bodied stouts this beer didn't impress me as much as it's reputation in the beer publications indicated it would. I felt it was on the dry Irish stout side but without the creamy head and roasted malt flavors. Bitter roasted barley, but not much malt backbone left me wanting more and not getting it.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2002 10:10:29 | More by QXSTER1

Thrasher

Oregon

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer from Sri Lanka, eh? I'm game. This is a solid, sweetish stout with a rocky, fragrant head and a nice oiliness to it (from the hops maybe?). Different enough from other brews to make it interesting, although slicker than perhaps the very best stouts. Milky, juicy, with what I imagined as a rummy, sugar-cane undercoat. I thought it very drinkable. Perhaps not worth a trip to Ceylon, but definitely worth picking up out if you find it in your local store (as I did). Bottle had a drink-by date of September this year (bought it in February).

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2002 22:51:27 | More by Thrasher

Todd

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Presentation: 625ml brown bottle with a gold foil neck. MJ, the beer hunter, is pictured on the back of the label with a cheesy endorsement. Expiration date printed on the bottle.

Appearance: Black with brown hues. Pours a massive tan head with a creamy/foamy consistency, lots of glass stick and great retention. Unfiltered.

Smell: Caramel, light roasted notes, wet paper, touch of musty fruit.

Taste: A malty sweet brew, smooth and mature in character. Caramel, chocolate and mocha flavours are dominant with a touch of blackstrap molasses in the background. Wet paper flavours pull-thru revealing some oxidation of the beer. Soft, even mouthfeel. Alcohol is not evident in taste, but you can feel it working the brain. Mild astringent bite and dryness. Finish is chocolaty, a bit metallic and dries up.

Notes: Over-promoted by Michael Jackson and over-hyped in general. A pretty average sweet stout that has potential to be something better, but it never gets there. It sits somewhere between a dry Irish stout and typical sweet stout, leaning a bit too much towards the dry with its flat, one dimensional malt profile. Still at least worth a try for all of you stout lovers out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2002 15:18:01 | More by Todd