Lion Stout - Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I CAN't believe how many different CANned beers are available. The CANQuest began as a lark and has become an obsession. CAN you dig it?

First, this lion came roaring out of its CAN! It looked like oil from the current slick in the Gulf of Mexico, courtesy of BP. The head was outrageous, demanding my immediate attention lest its deep-brown rise above the lip of the glass and spill onto my computer. Two fingers that eventually tamed themselves and sat atop the beer like a real lion on a stool. F**ing rampant animals! I despise that! This cat had a real bite on the nose. Deeply roasty with a bit of dark chocolate sweetness, if that passes for sweet for you. Color was ebony black with the light penetration of a black hole. NONE! Zee-roh! Mouthfeel was somewhat thin for a stout, but the taste was dark chocolate, raisins, prunes, my morning coffee (I am a retired US Navy sailor), and smoke. This tasted like the aftermath of a house fire smells. Wow! The finish was dry, smoky, worth seeking out. Good kitty!

Serving type: can

05-09-2010 19:27:48 | More by woodychandler

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

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

A very, very dark mahogany coloured body with mocha collared trim. Opaque but not intimidating. No bubbles although responsive to swirling.

The aroma is a robust blend of flat coffee, mocha/hazelnut liqueur, roast malts, molasses, soy and Worcestershire sauce, chocolate mousse and burnt sugar. It is sweet.

The beer has a tremendously balanced presence of roast. The 8% alcohol gives never a hint as to its presence. A distant note of sourness that competes with roast and bitterness and seems to linger on the tongue for lengthy periods of time.

The taste is foremost of burnt sugar - torched, charred, burnt sugar. Also, creme caramel, bitter coffee beans, a creamy chocolate filling, charred oak, molasses, light anise, burnt toffee, a hint of smoke, maltose, and pure cocoa.

This stout is always a treat and remains still, probably, the finest example of a foreign stout I've tried. It is balanced, endlessly drinkable and chalk full of an unlimited long list of flavours. This would pair wonderfully with a number of desserts and is something I'd recommend every beer drinker try.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2008 03:51:13 | More by biegaman

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

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

Sinha Stout.

A: Black, with a touch of tan head.

S: Sweet, roasted malt.

T: Very refined, smooth roasty flavour. Doesn't have the burnt bitter flavour of a lot of stouts. Very well balanced (though perhaps it's less bitter than the style calls for?).

M: Moderate, almost chalky.

D: No harsh bite for the beginner, but enough flavour for the geek. The alcohol could certainly be trouble!

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2005 12:01:11 | More by Derek

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured int Sam Adams Sensory Glass.

Pours an opaque black, slightly brown around the edges of the glass. Pours a tan head the leaves good splattered lacing about the glass.

Aroma is very smokey. I smelt something like teriyaki sauce and it reminded me a lot of Sam Adams Triple Bock. It was very malty.

Taste was pretty much identical to the smell. It was was too smokey and nothing I enjoyed very much.

Mouthfeel was very creamy, but I couldn't withhold the taste so I couldn't keep it in my mouth too long. There was no alcohol present and it had decent carbonation.

Overall this is probably my least favorite stout to date. I don't plan on buying or drinking another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2009 21:53:02 | More by mothman

Dogbrick

Ohio

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

This brew is black with a thick and rocky tan head that fizzes away rather quickly. Thick patches of lacing. The aroma is big on roasted malt, with some semi-sweet chocolate in the background. Rich body with a tasty blend of mocha, malt and plum flavors. Frankly I am surprised they make them this good in Sri Lanka. The finish is dry and roasty, with a coffee aftertaste. Proof you can’t judge a book by the cover.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2006 21:39:22 | More by Dogbrick

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark fudge brown, nearly black, thin and firm light brown cap, a slight skim remains once it settles, lacing in thin sheets. Aroma of slight roast, stale raisin, parched prunes, dry cocoa, and anise. Taste is mild with tame roastability and soft chocolate, slight floating sweetness of dry dark fruits, touches of molasses and toffee roast. Doesn't withstand too much in the flavor dept. or in its length, over far to quickly, but it does incur a certain broad range of capable character. Feel is smooth, a bit sweet and tangy, lightly roasted edge, just shy of a medium body mostly, seems to pick up a bit towards the finish where it drys out with some light cocoa. A fairly decent effort; quick stout flavors and a somewhat healthy body, but could be better. I would consider this over a Guinness on nitro-tap I think?

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2004 02:12:17 | More by tavernjef

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep, opaque sable with a fine-bubbled and fairly persistent tan head. Aroma is smoky with firm tones of coffee and unsweetened chocolate with more than a hint of burnt caramel. Rich, smoky flavor is mainly of fine roast coffee, unsweet chocolate and caramel, subtly sweet. Texture is fairly smooth yet quite fizzy. A must for stout fans!

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2010 02:53:32 | More by Cyberkedi

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A. Served on tap into a Lion mug. Dark as night with a white, poor retaining head.

S. Roasted malt and a hint of booze in there too. Earthy grains. Expresso.

T. A wonderfully balanced export stout. Gives me just enough roasted malt, some earthy hop, peat and moss, some torched brown sugar. Coffee notes with cocoa powder. Very tasty.

M. Also thick, black and full bodied. Just how I like my stouts.

D. As sessionable as an 8% stout can be. On tap it is especially nice. Reccommended.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2008 20:47:18 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a black color and a thick consistency. There was a huge amount of brown colored head. This is one of the best-looking stouts I've seen.

S: Had aromas of malt, coffee, chocolate and some light fruit. Nicely done.

T: At first, this beer did not impress me. After a while it grew on me. Coffee, malt, light and chocolate all appear. Unlike some other stouts, the coffee in this one didn't dominate the other tastes.

M: This had high carbonation rate a smooth finish.

D: The Lion Stout is definitely a drinkable beer. While not my favorite in the stout category, it's still solidly done.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2008 12:59:35 | More by avalon07

gford217

Georgia

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

Pours pitch black with a thick creamy tan head that shows excellent retention, hanging around as a one-inch head for the duration.

The aroma is heavily roasted malts, coffee and cocoa powder. Almost like chocolate-covered espresso beans.

The taste is excellent for the style - toasted chocolate malts and coffee. There is a bit more sweetness than in the aroma and the finish is dry with bakers chocolate.

The mouthfeel is dry and roasty with a moderate carbonation.

This is an excellent example of an export stout and extremely drinkable for the ABV. Surprisingly good.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2010 02:49:28 | More by gford217

scruffwhor

Illinois

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

I haven't heard of this beer before, but when I went to DiCarlo's Liqours in Willowbrook, IL. I saw the six pack with beer dork Michael Jackson on the cardboard and had to pick it up. With a plus to the exotic locale the beer is produced.

Appearance- Poured a 0ne and a half finger head into a chalice/oversized wine glass very similar to what M. Jackson was drinking from on the cover. The almost complete liquid black with hints of a reddish-brown at the top of the beer.

Smell- Excellent roasted malt sweetness nicely subdued by a hint of hops. Hint of whipping cream to help define the malt induced aromas.

Taste- Was much better than I would ever have expected beautiful blend of smokey malt with excellent bacjup by the hop bitterness although there wasn't much. Creamy vanilla notes with an overall whole milk nuance.

Mouthfeel- Medium palate, but not filling.

Drinkability- I would love to have a couple of these with in a day. Maybe with a chocolate pecan tortie.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2005 02:07:30 | More by scruffwhor

TheLongBeachBum

California

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

Presentation: 330ml - 11.50 fl.oz. - 0.58 Pint - standard looking brown glass bottle that looks rather funky and a tad trendy with its rhomboid neck and main labels. Black crown cap has a colorful picture of a lions heads, as does the main label above the words ‘LION Stout Imported Alc. 8% By Vol.’

Appearance: Thick dark brown body with a heavy dose of ruby in the backlit flashes that form at the edges of my Pint glass. Cocoa brown head sits nice and even on the surface and leaves a little lacing as the rink slowly works its way down the libation vessel. Finely dissolved carbonation supports the head throughout and wit vigor when gently swirled.

Nose: Lightly sweet malts mix with a caramel laden molasses. Coffee tinted cum roasted body which is backed by dark chocolates. Some hops in the back end.

Taste: This is a very “soft and gentle” yet big roasted malty Stout with some Cocoa powder and a light hint of milk chocolate in the back end with a smidgeon of freshly brewed black coffee which has just been impacted by a small amount of fresh cream. After a few small mouthfuls a nicely rounded bitterness develops in the finish and mixes well with the roasted chocolate lingering ending. Damn tasty stuff and as slick Teflon®.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and exceptionally creamy in the mouth; it withstands a gentle swirl around the tongue with ease, quite robust and hearty, yet with an attractive lightness thanks to the finely attenuated conditioning. Helps to accommodate the 8% ABV all too easily.

Drinkability: I tried this once back in England many moons ago as a Student and I don’t recall it being this drinkable, it had a more acidic bite to it then, either that or my tastes have changed. This bottle was very soft and incredibly palatable. It didn’t last long!!

Overall: Heard a lot about this one, for whatever reason it seems to have rather the cult following. That is usually a sign of image over substance, but this really is not that bad actually, I’m almost torn to admit that I really quite like it, not sure why, but for $1.69 it ain’t all that bad.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2005 04:11:04 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

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

Kind of a unique take on a stout..reminds me of a baltic porter in some ways but not quite as full bodied or thick...

Black...whisp of a tan head..

Nose has some fruitiness and also a good dose of molasses sweetness

Full bodied but not ultra big like Bells Expedition...smooth and velvety mouthfeel.

A different tasting stout than most...the roasted malts are evident but this also has a uniquie combination of light fruitiness and sweetness (molasses like)...also some sweet milk chocolate like notes....finishes slightly dry leaving you craving another sip...

I like this one a lot...the ABV is hidden...it's highly drinkable...I could see getting in trouble sucking back about six of these in an hour if I wasn't careful...reminds me a little of Sam Smiths Imperial stout

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2006 04:32:18 | More by ZAP

jrallen34

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

I drank this on tap into a tasting glass.

The beer is not very black, almost brown especially in the light with a unique super light tan head. There is good retention and lacing.

The aroma is very light all you get is a brief whisp of alcohol and light hops.

the taste is super light as well that is a sweet hoppiness that feels like water making it ok to drink but overall nothing very special or exciting. Damn you Sri Lanka.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2009 17:53:33 | More by jrallen34

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

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

I picked this up at Brass Rail Deli, poured chilled from the can into a tulip.

A - an opaque, black as night color w/ thick band of beige, the lace clings decently and bead is average size

S - The smell is very good, lots of dried fruit aromas: fig, raisin and currant w/ a slight scent of roasted grain and mild alcohol in the aroma

M - A feel that has smooth carbonation with a mild level of sweetness and roastiness, the textue is full bodied and has a mild warmth of alcohol as it finishes

T - The flavor follows the nose pretty closely with mild fig, slight dark cocoa bitterness and mild hop effect w/ a moderate amount of wood/tobacco in the background a very nice flavor profile

D - I enjoyed this one a lot, a very good example of the style and nice to have from a can too. I would recommend this to anyone who likes strong stouts

Serving type: can

09-21-2010 17:07:35 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

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

It should be noted that was labeled and served as "Sinha Stout"

Appearance: served in a Maredsous tulip at Cookie in Melbourne…huge chocolate head that takes a second to settle, very dark body, delicious appearance

Smell: rich roasty aromas, dark chocolate malts, light coffee grounds

Taste: smooth chocolate, creamy and milky, bakers chocolate, cookie, roasty malts…great

Mouthfeel: silky smooth

Drinkability: high

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2007 23:53:13 | More by dirtylou

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours from 625ml bottle(room temp) a pitch black with a pretty large head of foam that shrinks slowly and then completely dissipates. There's some lacing present with each new pour but that too disappears after sitting in the glass for a while.

The smell is of roasted malt but it's pretty light. Not much going on for me as far as the nose goes.

The taste has coffee, chocolate, roasted malt and...right near the finish, a hot cocoa flavour but they are all on the light side and make for a very smooth brew overall; I can't beleive it's 8%abv, it's *that* smooth and easy drinking but Iknow better than to think that the alcohol won't catch up to me so I'm only taking small sips.

Further sips and and nothing really changes. I note that the body on this one is on the thin side though the taste never does lean towards the watery side. It's good. I'm glad I got to try it but...it's not something I'd seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2007 16:00:23 | More by Bitterbill

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

Tone

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black color. 2/3 inch head of a light tan color. Good retention and good lacing. Smells of roasted malts, chocolate, and some slight hop aroma is noticeable. Fits the style of a Foreign / Export Stout. Mouth feel is smooth and slightly thick with average carbonation level. Tastes of roasted malt up front, with some earthy grass undertones, hop bitterness throughout, and a sweet chocolate finish. Very smooth and easy to drink. I was a little wary of this beer after not enjoying the Lion Lager, but this is a vast improvement - worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 18:26:28 | More by Tone

DefenCorps

Oregon

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

I've lost track of how long I've had this beer - probably a year and a half? I'm finally getting around to drinking it.

Gorgeous black with a dense mocha-colored head that is thick, creamy and long-lasting. Some lace is left as I drink this.

In a blind taste, I'd peg this as a Baltic porter. It's got the dry, unsweetened dark chocolate, cocoa and mildly burnt malt character. In addition, it's got a very characteristic smell of Baltic porters, with a rich, mildly bready and (I hate to say it) lager-like. Solid stuff

Opens fruity with plums (not from oxidation) with a rich, deep chocolate character with some bitterness and a mild tartness too. The tartness is mildly cherry-skin like, and dissipates with exposure to air. Rich coffee characteristics, almost cold-press like with low bitterness and high flavor. The sourness and coffee work well together.

Light in body ( a bit too light) with medium-high carbonation, the mouthfeel is a little disappointing. The finish with its coffee and chocolate bitterness, is quite excellent.

I'm definitely enjoying this, and will grab another and try this again soon.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2009 03:38:10 | More by DefenCorps

bark

Sweden

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The colour is pitch black; the liquid is clear. The high head slowly sinks down into a finger thick brown lid, leaving almost no lacing.

The smell is mild and sweet; lots of roasted malt and a touch of smoke.

The taste is more complex than the smell. Lots of creamy sweetness, some passing sour flavours, light yeasty dough. The taste is full bodied. The aftertaste got notes of roast beef and gravy, some roasted malt and a mild clean bitterness. The finish adds some chocolate.

The carbonation is mild yet fresh; the soft bubbles are small. The liquid is very smooth.

A little more bitter and lighter than the Baltic porters that I am used to.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2007 21:30:09 | More by bark

nickfl

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Three fingers of medium brown head on an opaque black body. The foam settles slowly and leaves thick lace.

S - Sweet chocolate malt with some toffee, caramel, and just a hint of roasted character. Some smoky notes in the background.

T - Lots of caramel and chocolate up front and some light, mocha coffee notes in the middle. Moderate malt bitterness in the finish with some hop flavor and fruity black cherry notes.

M - Moderately thick, oily body, medium carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - This is a very sweet beer with intense, fruity caramel character that does not lend itself to great drinkability. It is nonetheless an interesting beer and a good example of a relatively rare style.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2009 06:42:33 | More by nickfl

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.65/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

11.20 oz bottle poured into an Imperial Pint. 8.0% ABV, 0933...(smudged).

A - A rather vigorous pour creates some fast cascading and a massive three-finger head. The dark tan dollop of foam sits gently on top of the clear but very dark brown beer with good retention and patches of thick lace.

S - Smooth milk chocolate and rich mocha flourish in this roasted malt beauty. Light notes of coffee and cream blend in too. It smells like it will be very smooth and creamy in both flavor and texture.

T - Incredibly creamy and smooth in terms of taste and texture, bold roasted malts with a rich milk chocolate and mocha flavor. The finish has a small coffee bitterness.

M - Amazingly velvety smooth and creamy, the soft texture is a supple, full body of pure enjoyment. Very light roasted bitterness to the finish.

D - This stout is absolutely fantastic. I've been meaning to get pack of it and next time I'm at a store that carries it, I surely will. I could have it all night!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 04:26:17 | More by BeerFMAndy

francisweizen

Australia

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

Dark black with a nice espresso head of foam. Nice lacing as well. Cocoa comes through hard in the aroma of this brew, caramel does as well to a lesser extent, as well as roasted malts and a bit of wood. Taste is chalky, smoky, chocolaty, and roasty with a nice dry dinish that is also slightly acidic and somewhat lactic. Mouthfeel is creamy, smooth, and nice, but a bit light. Drinkability remains very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2005 01:15:35 | More by francisweizen

tpd975

Florida

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice rich dark flat black hue. The head is nice and tall made up mostly of big bubbles at first. It tightens up and a nice 1/4 inch pad lingers and lingers. Wonderful lace. A real looker.

S: Rather mild aromas. Hints of roasty malt and chocolate. A touch of plums and a dash of metal.

T: Rather good. Simple but tasty. Nice bold roast character up front. Lots of rich dark chocolate and a touch of coffee and dark fruit.

M: Lighter side of medium in body. It is rich, smooth, and damn drinkable.

Search this one out, its a nice tasty treat.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2009 19:09:54 | More by tpd975