We found the Sri Lankan Lion Stout last weekend at our local supermarket, and I’m thrilled that this beer has made its way into Fiji.
The beer here tends to be low alcohol. My guess is that’s the case because the government frowns upon heavy drinking. There is a heavy sin tax on hard liquor.
I was surprised by two things when tasting Lion Stout for the first time.
One is that the flavor profile is rich and intense, with strong, earthy notes of chocolate and coffee and a touch of sweetness.
Two is that the ABV (alcohol by volume) is 8.8%. That’s more than twice the typical ABV among beers in Fiji.
I love this beer. It goes down like a sophisticated craft brew with bold flavors.
Bonus: The back label has a photo of Michael Jackson, the Beer Hunter. His website is still up, but it doesn’t look like it’s been updated lately. Even so, it’s worth taking a look at his site. This guy was ahead of his time in chronicling his “beer hunting” around the world.
ATB 