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This week, local beer police investigated the savory world of stouts. These dark and aromatic beers all proved to be full of flavor. Stouts were originally brewed to contain more ingredients to help them survive long journeys overseas without spoiling.
Lion Stout, an import brewed and bottled in Sri Lanka, was the first beverage surveyed. Lion boasted its eight percent alcohol content on the label and proclaimed that it was the winner of five international gold awards. Lion poured into the glass, weighed in at an opaque brown, and hit the nose with a tangy scent, reeking of barley. This 650-milliliter brew began with a thick fluffy head, followed by a sweetness on the tip of the tongue and a slight bitterness in the back. At about $3, Lion Stout was a good deal for being a pint-and-a-half. A long haul off this beer yielded a rather bitter taste, which told me this beverage is certainly meant for sipping.
Next up to bat was a definite staple of the stout world. Although Guinness Extra Stout states “traditionally brewed in St. James Gate, Dublin,” a glance at the rear label uncovers that, although it is imported, it’s actually brewed and bottled in New Brunswick, Canada. It isn’t shown on the label, but this 12-ounce beer has four percent alcohol per volume. Guinness pours out in a much lighter coloring than the Lion, looking more like a dark amber color and slightly more transparent. The extra stout smells and tastes lighter, like a light version of the Lion and to be honest, it leaves a bit to be desired in the area of full-flavored taste generally expected from this renowned beer.
The next seal cracked was Gritty’s version of a stout: Black Fly. Straight out of Freeport, Maine, this was more akin to the Lion Stout’s dark complexion and thick head. It had a hefty amount of flavor and an aromatic touch of almonds. Much like the Lion Stout, it left a hint of bitterness on the back of the tongue. Unlike the Lion Stout, Black Fly only packs 4.1 percent alcohol per volume. At about $3, I would probably choose the Lion Stout over the Black Fly.
The last brew of the night was Dogfish Head’s World Wide Stout. On the label, World Wide Stout claimed it was made “with a ridiculous amount of barley.” This beer holds true to the name, offering a ferocious helping of barley taste. World Wide Stout also contained 18 percent alcohol per volume, but with it, a strong sugary flavor. This brings to mind a flavorful, sweet dessert wine – something to be sipped after a nice meal. This is not a beverage to be consumed in high volumes; but it would make a nice treat after a long day. This “dessert beer” runs at a steep price: World Wide Stout costs about $7 plus tax and bottle deposit at Burby & Bates in downtown Orono for only a 12 ounce bottle. Although Dogfish Head had created an interesting accomplishment with this beer, I’m not sure it is worth the heavy price tag.
After trying all four stouts – and feeling quite full of the thick liquor – I made my decision on the favorite of the night, in terms of taste, smell, color and cost. Considering all those factors, I landed upon the first beer I tried: the Lion Stout. It was comparable in taste, size and cost to Gritty’s Black Fly, yet contained almost double the alcohol content without injuring the flavor. So with a full belly and a light head, I declare Sri Lanka’s Lion Stout tonight’s winner.
