Dragon Stout

When it comes to Jamaican beers you probably only know of Red Stripe, but did you know the same brewery makes a stout in the "foreign extra" style? It’s called Dragon Stout and it’s not bad, actually. Though I think it has a ways to go to be truly good as it’s closer to a cola flavor than a true stout - extra or otherwise.

3.5

   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20

Chad9976 (810) - Albany, New York, USA - FEB 10, 2013

I poured a 9.6oz bottle into a tulip glass. It cost $2.30 ($0.24 per ounce).

Appearance: Jet black hue, completely opaque. Initially forms a thick, frothy, brown head, but it quickly begins to fizzle away and become soapy. It only leaves minor lacing on the glass and almost completely dissipates.

Smell: A mild nose of anise and/or brown sugar.

Taste: When it comes to stouts, even though there are bunch of sub-styles, there’s still an expectation of the style overall. It’s fine if they’re sweet, but there’s certain flavors you expect from them, most of which are absent from Dragon Stout. It’s close to alcoholic brown sugar cola than a true stout. Not that it tastes bad, though. In fact, I kind of enjoy this taste of brown sugar up front and again on the finish. Not much in the way of roasty malts and little hop character. No off flavors whatsoever, though. The sweet soda taste is a bit simplistic and repetitive, but it doesn’t get old or cloying.

Drinkability: With a thin, relatively thin body and lightly sweet, clean taste, Dragon Stout is actually highly drinkable. Even though the alcohol is light for an imperial at 7.5% ABV, it’s nowhere to be found in the aroma, taste or body. It goes down smoothly and has a clean aftertaste. It’d actually be an ideal stout for warmer weather (and considering where it’s brewed it’s understandable).

 Grade: 6/10