Iron Lion
Stone City Ales

 

 

 

This is a rum-barrel aged stout. The rum is very strong, somewhat obscuring the beer one thing that is not drowned out is the very high carbonation level- this is a strangely fizzy beer for the style. Aside from rum, there is some roast malt and chocolate. Not great- not bad, but unbalanced and odd mouthfeel.

An inch of creamy light tan head rises after a steady pour. It's light on its feet and diminishes fairly quickly. Its body is black everywhere but its edges where cola brown highlights can be seen.

There's a smooth, deep, and rich texture to the nose. Creamy oak and vanilla dance between a variety of spices. Clove comes through along with sweet banana bread. A subtle spritzy zing comes from the ginger. Bakers chocolate and a dry roast really emphasize its depth. Its incredible complexities open slowly as it warms.A sugarcane sweetness from the rum becomes apparent with this.

A sweet lick of alcohol paints the back of the palate. Plums, cakey dark chocolate, and vanilla bean fill out the taste. Its spicy underlay moves to the forefront as it nears the finish. Nutmeg and allspice really pull through. There's still vanilla left in the finish with a pleasant dark coffee bean inspired roastiness. A creamy oak character is a unifying thread from beginning to end.

Its body sits comfortably at a medium weight. The low level of carbonation accentuates its creaminess and the sweet, spicy flavors that really define this beer.

I'm so happy I was able to stop by this brewery before I left Kingston. For me, their bold, well crafted stable of regular offerings and experimentation with sours and barrel aging sets Stone City apart from many of the breweries that are young or new to Ontario. I enjoyed Iron Lion from beginning to end and really liked how the rum barrel aging and use of spices came to define this beer. Until they make their way into the LCBO, Stone City will be a stop every time I pass through Kingston.