Lion Stout | Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited
Brewed by:
Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited
Sri Lanka
lionbeer.com
Style: Foreign / Export Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
The dark caramel, large dense headed brew, with its 8.8% alcoholic content, is unique due to its sweet notes of chocolate and coffee interspersed into a foundation of dark roasted barley. Symbolic black to denote leadership, power, focus and strength, is dominant in the labeling as the lion journeys in the twilight unafraid, unbowed and unchallenged.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 07-28-2001
Ratings: 1,625 | Reviews: 906
4.75/5 rDev +21.5%
rednuht, May 14, 2012
4.75/5 rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Man... Michael Jackson's favorite stout of all time. What more can I say?
Absolutely phenomenal!
A = Midnight out in the middle of the country (with no light polution). This beer is as black as they come. Rich head and lace upon pour and consumption.
S = Wonderful scent of deeply roasted malts complimenting with a buttery richness and essence of wood (hickory?).
T = Highly concentrated flavors of holland chocolate, roasted expresso, and a hint of oatmeal. This beer is all about the roast.
M = Rich - viscous - creamy - smooth.
D = Definalely not a session beer, this quaff is best served at cellar temp and allowed time to "breath." As this occurs, a velvety smoothness will eminate. To be slowly savored!
717 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Man... Michael Jackson's favorite stout of all time. What more can I say?
Absolutely phenomenal!
A = Midnight out in the middle of the country (with no light polution). This beer is as black as they come. Rich head and lace upon pour and consumption.
S = Wonderful scent of deeply roasted malts complimenting with a buttery richness and essence of wood (hickory?).
T = Highly concentrated flavors of holland chocolate, roasted expresso, and a hint of oatmeal. This beer is all about the roast.
M = Rich - viscous - creamy - smooth.
D = Definalely not a session beer, this quaff is best served at cellar temp and allowed time to "breath." As this occurs, a velvety smoothness will eminate. To be slowly savored!
717 characters
4.75/5 rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Exceptional beer! Poured from a standard brown bottle into a 350cl dunkel glass.
The colour was dark, black and non-luminous. With a beautiful brown head about an inch thick, with balanced lacing throughout consumption.
Excellently balanced with hard malt and chocolate notes. Mild off-bitterness to the nose and moderate coffee aroma.
Flavour is pronounced and affectionate. Chocolate, coffee and oak are very apparent. The higher alcohol can be noted on swirling, but not over-powering.
Drinkability and mouthfeel go together very well. Very easy on the palate and another bottle is of easy consumption.
Overall, this is fantastic brew that deserve higher credit amongst all dark brew drinkers. Very balanced and original.
Cheers.
738 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Exceptional beer! Poured from a standard brown bottle into a 350cl dunkel glass.
The colour was dark, black and non-luminous. With a beautiful brown head about an inch thick, with balanced lacing throughout consumption.
Excellently balanced with hard malt and chocolate notes. Mild off-bitterness to the nose and moderate coffee aroma.
Flavour is pronounced and affectionate. Chocolate, coffee and oak are very apparent. The higher alcohol can be noted on swirling, but not over-powering.
Drinkability and mouthfeel go together very well. Very easy on the palate and another bottle is of easy consumption.
Overall, this is fantastic brew that deserve higher credit amongst all dark brew drinkers. Very balanced and original.
Cheers.
738 characters
4.72/5 rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: A heavy pour at a 45-degree angle yields an ultra-thick head; nearly two fingers. The beer is opaque-brown and pours moderately thickly. Minutes after pour, head dissipates leaving heavy lacing on the sides of the glass. Head is a beautiful tan color which fits perfectly with the opaqueness of the beer itself.
Smell: Reminiscent of a bakery. Roasted malty character interwoven with hues of dark chocolate, coffee, berries, maybe even caramel. Tastes like something I should be biting into. Simply angelic.
Taste: There is a solid roastiness that is the perfect foundation for the rest of the taste. Chocolate and caramel swirl and effervesce upon my taste buds. Aftertaste is berry-flavored on top of the malty foundation. One of the best tasting beers I have tried.
Mouthfeel: Sits a bit heavy on the tongue, as it should. Leaves a gentle coating on the cheeks and palate which is not easily replaced. Very, very good.
Drinkability: As far as a stout goes, this one is VERY drinkable. In terms of beer in general, however, it IS a bit heavy. One or two should suffice; any more than that would put you up for a long night. ;-) Tasty, good mouthfeel, but not an everyday thing.
This would probably be a great beer to age in a cellar or to keep in the back of the fridge. Like I mentioned, one or two is all you really need. It's a great beer to start a night with as it's both flavorful and high in ABV. One of the tops!
1,439 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: A heavy pour at a 45-degree angle yields an ultra-thick head; nearly two fingers. The beer is opaque-brown and pours moderately thickly. Minutes after pour, head dissipates leaving heavy lacing on the sides of the glass. Head is a beautiful tan color which fits perfectly with the opaqueness of the beer itself.
Smell: Reminiscent of a bakery. Roasted malty character interwoven with hues of dark chocolate, coffee, berries, maybe even caramel. Tastes like something I should be biting into. Simply angelic.
Taste: There is a solid roastiness that is the perfect foundation for the rest of the taste. Chocolate and caramel swirl and effervesce upon my taste buds. Aftertaste is berry-flavored on top of the malty foundation. One of the best tasting beers I have tried.
Mouthfeel: Sits a bit heavy on the tongue, as it should. Leaves a gentle coating on the cheeks and palate which is not easily replaced. Very, very good.
Drinkability: As far as a stout goes, this one is VERY drinkable. In terms of beer in general, however, it IS a bit heavy. One or two should suffice; any more than that would put you up for a long night. ;-) Tasty, good mouthfeel, but not an everyday thing.
This would probably be a great beer to age in a cellar or to keep in the back of the fridge. Like I mentioned, one or two is all you really need. It's a great beer to start a night with as it's both flavorful and high in ABV. One of the tops!
1,439 characters
4.72/5 rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Poured from the tap into a standard pint glass.
Appearance- Beer pours a good solid black with a finger of creamy tan head. There is a hint of brown at the top of the head as if someone poured cinnamon over the top like with an espresso, making it look much less tan. Lacing is thick and ample.
Smell- Wow! What a nose, grapes, prunes and just a touch of bourbon upfront. Licorice and chocolate malts are quick to follow. Michael Jackson is on point with this one, even the yeast is amazing for a stout on the nose.
Taste- Holy... Yes, this is an excellent stout. Port grapes, non dairy creamer, chocolate, black licorice, star anise, dark fruits and the yeast here, I would steal this yeast for a stout of my own. I'll see if it is bottle conditioned in the future.
Mouthfeel- Creamy, warming, lightly hopped, full-bodied, and medium in carbonation.
Drinkability- This is about as good as it gets on a foreign/export stout level.
935 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Poured from the tap into a standard pint glass.
Appearance- Beer pours a good solid black with a finger of creamy tan head. There is a hint of brown at the top of the head as if someone poured cinnamon over the top like with an espresso, making it look much less tan. Lacing is thick and ample.
Smell- Wow! What a nose, grapes, prunes and just a touch of bourbon upfront. Licorice and chocolate malts are quick to follow. Michael Jackson is on point with this one, even the yeast is amazing for a stout on the nose.
Taste- Holy... Yes, this is an excellent stout. Port grapes, non dairy creamer, chocolate, black licorice, star anise, dark fruits and the yeast here, I would steal this yeast for a stout of my own. I'll see if it is bottle conditioned in the future.
Mouthfeel- Creamy, warming, lightly hopped, full-bodied, and medium in carbonation.
Drinkability- This is about as good as it gets on a foreign/export stout level.
935 characters
4.72/5 rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Trying this beer from a 330ml bottle.
The pour is nice, very dark and luscious. Head is light brown. When swirled around the glass it leaves some small bubble groups.
Smell is bourbon and chocolate. Very nice and sweet.
This beer is really smooth. None of that overdone burnt coffee flavor. Chocolate mocha and molasses rule the day here.
Mouthfeel is very smooth. For as big of a beer as this is you don't hardly taste it at all. I could drink this all night, seriously that good.
One of my new go to stouts.
517 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Trying this beer from a 330ml bottle.
The pour is nice, very dark and luscious. Head is light brown. When swirled around the glass it leaves some small bubble groups.
Smell is bourbon and chocolate. Very nice and sweet.
This beer is really smooth. None of that overdone burnt coffee flavor. Chocolate mocha and molasses rule the day here.
Mouthfeel is very smooth. For as big of a beer as this is you don't hardly taste it at all. I could drink this all night, seriously that good.
One of my new go to stouts.
517 characters
4.71/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Nicely made stout that I would consider one of my favorites.....Chocolatey and smooth!
86 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Nicely made stout that I would consider one of my favorites.....Chocolatey and smooth!
86 characters
4.71/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
tasted a full bottle at a beer tasting (it was my first drink so my tastebuds were clean).
poured an excellent looking black with a great off white/brown head. Lacing was superb.
Smell of alcohol, roasted malts, oak and cider.
sweet taste with some of the cider smell definately displayed.
was very smooth, especially for a stout. I could, and did drink a couple. I am not the greatest stout fan but will have this again in the future.
440 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
tasted a full bottle at a beer tasting (it was my first drink so my tastebuds were clean).
poured an excellent looking black with a great off white/brown head. Lacing was superb.
Smell of alcohol, roasted malts, oak and cider.
sweet taste with some of the cider smell definately displayed.
was very smooth, especially for a stout. I could, and did drink a couple. I am not the greatest stout fan but will have this again in the future.
440 characters
4.7/5 rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
For me, this stout fits exactly in the middle of the two extremes. Namely dry and milk/sweet stouts. It has both a dryness and a sweetness. It has a creamy texture that is not cloying. Lion Stout would be by far the best stout to ever cross my lips provided Guiness had never existed. Cheers!
292 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
For me, this stout fits exactly in the middle of the two extremes. Namely dry and milk/sweet stouts. It has both a dryness and a sweetness. It has a creamy texture that is not cloying. Lion Stout would be by far the best stout to ever cross my lips provided Guiness had never existed. Cheers!
292 characters
4.7/5 rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Loved this beer! Went to Independent, a local classy bar in downtown St Petersburg for St. Patty's Day to celebrate. Came across this magnificent find. I prefer drinking from the bottle but Lion Stout is best suited for a glass. It had slight head, maybe an inch at most, thick and frothy so I didn't mind it. Chocolate/coffee aromas. dark not in any way translucent. Flavors of natural bittersweet chocolate, smooth texture, not too filling, settles well so I could probably drink a few. Coffee aftertaste without leaving residue behind. An extremely quality beer. Highly recommended.
585 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Loved this beer! Went to Independent, a local classy bar in downtown St Petersburg for St. Patty's Day to celebrate. Came across this magnificent find. I prefer drinking from the bottle but Lion Stout is best suited for a glass. It had slight head, maybe an inch at most, thick and frothy so I didn't mind it. Chocolate/coffee aromas. dark not in any way translucent. Flavors of natural bittersweet chocolate, smooth texture, not too filling, settles well so I could probably drink a few. Coffee aftertaste without leaving residue behind. An extremely quality beer. Highly recommended.
585 characters
4.7/5 rDev +20.2%
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 theres an amazing velvety type of texture so smooth. This is one superb stout!
$2.99 for a big bottleconditioned 625ml bottle was not much to pay at all! This stuff is great. Overall a superb stout, IMHO....
581 characters
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 theres an amazing velvety type of texture so smooth. This is one superb stout!
$2.99 for a big bottleconditioned 625ml bottle was not much to pay at all! This stuff is great. Overall a superb stout, IMHO....
581 characters
4.69/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Served in a plain pub pint glass. 1 in. dark brown head. dark black color with lacing.
Smell was heavy in malt, coffee, and a hint of chocolate and hops at the end.
Initial flavor of roasted malt with coffee and chocolate flavors. finished with some residual sweetness.
Thick and creamy mouth-feel
Wow.... really good stout!!! That's all i can even say... On my list of new favorites for sure. I can't wait to have another
429 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Served in a plain pub pint glass. 1 in. dark brown head. dark black color with lacing.
Smell was heavy in malt, coffee, and a hint of chocolate and hops at the end.
Initial flavor of roasted malt with coffee and chocolate flavors. finished with some residual sweetness.
Thick and creamy mouth-feel
Wow.... really good stout!!! That's all i can even say... On my list of new favorites for sure. I can't wait to have another
429 characters
4.67/5 rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
330mL bottle with freshness date: Best before Feb. 2005. A very heavy bottle for the size, nice packaging.
Pours out dark brown and sits nearly black, with only a bit of deep crimson showing through the very edges. A large, fluffy dark tan, going on brown head sits a top this nice looking beer. Great lacings on the sides, a very attractive brew.
Smells of light roastiness, chocolates with a bit of creaminess, and just a small amount of peppery aromas that pick up on the chocolatey sweetness. Some coffee and other bitter hues present as well. All these blended with nice floral aromas that bring it all together. I'll also note that even with the higher 8.0% ABV, it goes without a trace in the nose.
Tastes of roasted grains and coffee, but is initially sweet, with chocolates and minor fruity tones that breifly introduce you to the beer. Warms the stomach nicely, but, as in the smell, the alcohol slips through without a trace. Finishes with a mild bitterness that houses some nutty, maybe a bit of smoky flavors and overall earthy tones that go hand-in-hand with the roasted grains and coffee found near the front. Excellent flavor, complex in flow and just tastes so good.
A big, full body is the package for the abundance of flavors and aromas that take this beer to another level. Perfect carbonation makes its easy to drink, and allows you to wade through the ocean of flavors presented. A high-quality brew that stands out from most competition. Drink at cellar temperature for best results.
1,518 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
330mL bottle with freshness date: Best before Feb. 2005. A very heavy bottle for the size, nice packaging.
Pours out dark brown and sits nearly black, with only a bit of deep crimson showing through the very edges. A large, fluffy dark tan, going on brown head sits a top this nice looking beer. Great lacings on the sides, a very attractive brew.
Smells of light roastiness, chocolates with a bit of creaminess, and just a small amount of peppery aromas that pick up on the chocolatey sweetness. Some coffee and other bitter hues present as well. All these blended with nice floral aromas that bring it all together. I'll also note that even with the higher 8.0% ABV, it goes without a trace in the nose.
Tastes of roasted grains and coffee, but is initially sweet, with chocolates and minor fruity tones that breifly introduce you to the beer. Warms the stomach nicely, but, as in the smell, the alcohol slips through without a trace. Finishes with a mild bitterness that houses some nutty, maybe a bit of smoky flavors and overall earthy tones that go hand-in-hand with the roasted grains and coffee found near the front. Excellent flavor, complex in flow and just tastes so good.
A big, full body is the package for the abundance of flavors and aromas that take this beer to another level. Perfect carbonation makes its easy to drink, and allows you to wade through the ocean of flavors presented. A high-quality brew that stands out from most competition. Drink at cellar temperature for best results.
1,518 characters
4.66/5 rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Tried this beer on a night out with my wife. Poured a nice dark black with a tan head a few inches, tasted exactly how I feel a good stout should and am definitely going to try to find some for home.
199 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Tried this beer on a night out with my wife. Poured a nice dark black with a tan head a few inches, tasted exactly how I feel a good stout should and am definitely going to try to find some for home.
199 characters
4.66/5 rDev +19.2%
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.
1,097 characters
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.
1,097 characters
4.66/5 rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Lion Stout from Ceylon / Lion Brewery Limited
Beer rating:
75% out of
100 with
1,625 ratings