I’m actually at a bit of a loss on this one. It seems that Dragon might be what was known as a “milk-stout”, which is to say, a stout that has lactose in it (which yeast cannot consume), which adds a rich smooth taste, and also some extra nutritional goodness. But I can’t verify that it is, indeed, a milk stout. The internet is letting me down. It’s definitely not an Irish/Dry Stout, or a Russian Imperial Stout, but it seems a tad heavy on the booze to be a milk stout. Oh well, how does it taste?
Dragon Stout
From a 300ml bottle with bottled-on and best-before dates stamped on the neck, the beer is nearly black, with hints of red and brown when held up to a bright light. Small tan head dissipates quickly to a thin film and ring. Aroma is alcohol and burnt sugar. There is an almost whiskey-like quality to it, slightly woody, and very boozy. Hints of dark fruits, black currants and berries. Please oh please oh please taste as good as you smell. Wow, not bad! The beer is sweet and boozy. Malty and smokey and hints of spices and yeast. Still a little bit of dark fruit. Hints of chocolate and licorice. Long lingering sweet finish. Still slightly reminescent of whiskey. The beer is surprisingly light bodied for such a big beer, with a very bubbly carbonation. The 7.5% alcohol is evident in the taste and mouthfeel, making this a slow-going kind of beer. I doubt I would get through more then two bottles, and they’re a tad undersized. Still, a very nice beer. I can’t imagine wanting to drink it on a hot sunny Jamaican beach, but I’m enjoying it right now at my desk.
I regularly describe myself as an "ardent supporter of beer", which pretty well sums it up. While I'm not working or busy being a husband and dad (okay, honestly, sometimes while I'm doing those things), I am drinking beer, attending events, visiting pubs, and thinking about beer. I work at Castro's Lounge, my local bar in the Beach, where I host beer events and take part in most things beer-related.
