Dragon Stout
I love stouts, and love searching for new ones. I read this was brewed and bottled by Red Stripe on the label, and frankly came in with somewhat low expectations. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this beer. It doesn’t have a very revealing aroma, at least not in the glass I poured it in. But the flavor is so smooth and sweet, without being overbearing at all, and the carbonation so delicate. It’s slightly chocolaty and almost has a hint of dark cherry and licorice. This is a pitch black beer with light body and a great balance of malt and alcohol–the 7.5% is almost non-existent in the flavor, as is the bitterness. Hop heads will want to avoid this stout, as there’s really no hop flavor or aroma to detect. I’d compare the taste to molasses, but the body is so light. Anybody who likes sweet stouts will definitely enjoy this one, as it is definitely sweet but without the milky lactose taste of a milk stout. I’d recommend pairing this stout with a fruity entree, such as sweet and sour Chinese food or balsamic-reduction glazed fish.