Reviewing beer from the Golden Lion (or just the Lion for my fellow Bishop's alumni) will be difficult to do without being biased. For the majority of Bishop's Grads, the Lion has a special place in our hearts, when we referred to "The Bar" we were talking about the Lion, an amazing brewpub that is populated by an interesting mix of local regulars and university students. The Lion is a Lennoxville institution, and one that was selected as the best student pub by Rick Mercer and so a glass of Lion beer brings back a flood of (sometimes foggy) memories of my university days. The Lion's most famous beer is their pride, a delicious English style Brown Ale, but my personal favourite is their Best Bitter.
Bishop's Best Bitter is a copper coloured Extra Special Bitter that really lives up to it's Bitter description. The first thing you notice is the smell, unlike a lot of other beers it smells a bit floral and earthy, something you don't expect from beer. When you take a sip these floral notes really come to the forefront, you can really taste the hops, but unlike a lot of IPA's, that hoppiness is combined with a delightful maltiness that really rounds out the flavour so you aren't just being punched in the face with hops. When you take a sip, the bitterness is right there to greet your palate, you will immediately know what beer you are drinking! Once the initial bitterness gets out of the way it settles into a caramel flavour that properly rounds out the flavour. In addition to the bitterness it is also quite thick , it packs a lot of flavour into one glass, it is a slow drinking beer. Despite the malty/hoppy combo, be warned, this beer is still very bitter, so it wouldn't be something for everyone, and the over the top bitterness is the only thing that is keeping this from getting the full 5 Stein rating.
It's available on draught at the Golden Lion Pub in Lennoxville as well as in 500 ml bottles at the Brewery and at the occasional grocery or convenience store in Sherbrooke. I also have heard unconfirmed reports of it making an appearance at "Bieres du monde" in Gatineau, so if anyone sees it there please let me know (and pick me up some!).
Rating: 4.5 Steins
What you need to know
Golden Lion Pub & Brewery
2902 College St
Sherbrooke (Lennoxville), Quebec
J1M 1T4
Website:
www.lionlennoxville.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenLionPubBrewery
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