All About Beer Magazine

Beer Talk

Lion Heart Stout

Big City Brewing Co.
Kingston, Jamaica
Imported by Best Brands
Sanford, FL

Available: FL, GA, NY

Big City Brewing Co., located in the heart of Kingston, Jamaica, the only Brewery in Jamaica owned and operated by Jamaicans. The brewery, which was founded 1999, also produces Real Rock Lager and Yardy Shandy.

Alcohol (wt.): 6.05
Alcohol (vol.): 7.6
Color: n/a
Bitterness: 30
Gravity: 1068

• Charles Finkel

  Black as the darkest jungle, the umber head disappears in a heartbeat leaving a drink that looks more like stale coffee, than stout. The nose is clean, but non-descript. Like a heartless Lion, that is more mane than maul, the flavor is big and alcoholic but a bit clumsy and unbalanced. There is only a hint of the typical coffee and cocoa notes of most stouts. Try Bob Marley's "Iron Lion of Zion" for the real taste of Jamaica. The only roar from this lion is on the label.

• Charlie Papazian

  Pours heavy! I’ve had Caribbean stouts often and I anticipate certain characters. Let’s see. Yes it’s as I expected. On the sweet side. Low in hop flavors. Slightly acidic but not nearly as fruity as several other brands of Caribbean made stouts I’ve had. This one has more drinkability. Smooth. Dark, yet very little roasted malt character. For a tropical beverage this seems to fit the clime and tastes of the environment in which it is brewed. A wonderful tropical style stout. One of the better ones I’ve had.

• Roger Protz

  Heavy collar of barley white foam. Jet black with a ruby edge when held to the light. Espresso coffee and burnt fruit dominate the bouquet with a luscious creamy malt note. The creamy malt builds in the mouth making the beer reminiscent of a milk stout made with lactose. Gentle hops make an appearance along with dark fruit. The finish is short, with rich, sweet malt, a hint of burnt fruit and light hop bitterness.