Lion Stout

by Bruce
(Louisville, Kentucky)

Lion stout: pours and purrs softly, we're told

Just one of the fabulous shirts in our Beer Shirts HQ. Rate a beer shirt or gift item!

Great Beer Shirts!

Visit the UNOB's World Beer Guide

Why would they want to drink stout in a place as hot as Sri Lanka? And how would a product made on that tropical island nation survive the journey halfway around the continent to landlocked Louisville, Kentucky?

Those questions -- and the subtropical heat common in my city during July and August --convinced me to order a couple of cases of Lion Lager and Lion Stout for my suburban package liquor store.

The packaging graphics and quality cardboard make a good first impression, especially if you have preconceptions about the overall quality of life in Sri Lanka. Clearly this brand intends to compete for First World retail shelf space.

On the pour you'll find that Lion Stout is a smooth, fairly still brew with little-to-no head or carbonation. It's nevertheless fresh on the nose and well-constructed from the first sip.

Classic dark-roast coffee, chocolate and caramel flavors with subdued hops. Very smooth on the finish, more volcanic mineral than jungle earth.

Their slogan is "The cold dark beer for hot food", an idea that I tested alongside a couple of spicy boil-in-bags direct from India (dal and mutter paneer). Whatever the tensions with Tamil separatists and their allies in Tamil Nadu, this stout lives up to its food pairing promise. I'm going to put it opposite homemade Thai-style curry in the very near future.

At 8% abv, I conclude that Lion Stout has enough heft and complexity to be shelf-stable and fresh-tasting without a CO2 zip in its step. If you prefer a foamy headed Guinness or Beamish from a draught can, be advised that Lion Brewery cannot yet compete technologically. However, a bottle of Lion Stout stands proudly on its own classic character. We price it at $8.99 for a six pack.

Comments for
Lion Stout

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 15, 2010
Rating

When in doubt...sip lion stout
by: yesman5257

Literally stumbled across this gem broke a bottle on the floor at local grocer and felt obliged totake the 5 pack home. Little did I know what was yet to be discovered. My favorite wayto enjoy the warm and rich flavor is deep in the woods on a snowy winter day one sip at a time...

Jan 31, 2010
Rating

Love It
by: Jaytronik

The first time I had one I fell in love. The chocolate and caramel flavors grab you. And when I stood up to walk to the kitchen and staggered for a few steps I knew I had a winner. A nice good buzz off of one beer is all I need.

Oct 15, 2009
Rating

Please help me get LION STOUT.
by: Anonymous

This is one fine beer! If you like stout, you must try this. I had some in Michigan and loved it, but cannot find it in California. This beer is the best keep secret of the beer world. This beer has character, class and speaks the language of exotic adventure.

Jun 18, 2009
Rating

Brewing of Lion stout
by: Sharlene Adams

Lion stout was originally brewed in the cooler climes of Sri Lanka's hill country. The brewery was set among the tea bushes and close to a nearby waterfall with pure spring water used in the brew. The original recipe of 1881 is what is used even today. British Planters living in the hill country brewed Lion stout for their consumption .Today the brand is the leading stout in Sri Lanka and is a multiple Gold medal winner at the Monde Selection and the World Beer Championships.

Feb 04, 2009
Rating

awwwwwwwesome
by: Winton

I had this ON TAP at a beer/restaurant place in Manhattan called Ginger Man. I did not expect such quality from this Sri Lankan beer. Just as you described it, it has all those flavors, very smooth. I wouldn't be surprised it is the same quality in the bottle as well.

Jul 19, 2008
Rating

Found AGAIN!
by: Anonymous

YES! What a fantastic dark brew, tasty in all aspects. Originally found at Horrack's grocery in Kentwood, MI(Grand Rapids) with many quality meats and cheeses, that's another story altogether.

Moved away and haven't had a drink since May 2006, of this great brew that is!

Well worth the money for a great beer!

Aug 10, 2007
Rating

Great review, never mind the pic
by: Ashley Cotter-Cairns

My fault entirely... We didn't have a pic, so I found one online. Obviously it was the wrong Lion bottle. We'll update with the correct pic shortly.

Great review, Bruce. We hope you'll join us as the first Beer Delegate for Kentucky!

Aug 09, 2007
Rating

Lion stout wrong bottle
by: Sharlene Adams

As the Exports Manager for the brewery that does Lion stout I was quite shocked to see the picture on this page as it is not the Lion stout we export to the US.

Would it be possible to contact our importer or his National Sales Manager

Joe Cekola- Importer on 269-207-4025

James Vanderkolk - 616-405-3260

Could you also let them know what the product is that is displayed on this page as The Lion Brewery Sri Lanka has registered the LION trademark for beers and this product would be an infringement.