Dragon Stout was first introduced in 1920 by Desnoes & Geddes in Jamaica, discontinued, then relaunched in 1961, and has stayed one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable stouts ever since. It is often described as Red Stripe’s darker, stronger brother, made by the same Jamaican brewery.
At a Glance
| Style | Foreign / Export Stout |
| ABV | 7.5% |
| IBU | ~30 |
| Origin | Desnoes & Geddes Limited, Kingston, Jamaica (introduced 1920, relaunched 1961) |
| Ingredients | Pilsen and roasted malt, sugar, hops, water, caramel coloring |
| Typical price | Around $12 to $15 for a six-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Dragon Stout pours dark brown to near-black with a tan head. It is built from a blend of Pilsen and roasted malt with a notably sweet, distinctive character, much sweeter than a dry Irish stout like Guinness.
The full review
On the palate, Dragon Stout is smooth and easy to drink for its strength, with the alcohol well masked by its prominent sweetness, a common trait among tropical export stouts, which were historically brewed sweeter and stronger to survive long export voyages. Compared to a classic dry stout, it leans much closer to a dessert-adjacent sweet stout; see our stout reviews for the dry end of the spectrum.
At 7.5% ABV, it is significantly stronger than most mainstream stouts, and the sweetness can make that strength easy to underestimate on a first pour.
Dragon Stout has been included among “1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die,” and remains a fixture of Jamaican beer culture alongside its more famous stablemate, Red Stripe.
“The mysterious dark and smooth liquid has proudly been brewed and bottled in Jamaica since 1920.”, Desnoes & Geddes
- Rich, distinctive sweetness
- Smooth for a 7.5% beer
- Long Jamaican brewing heritage (since 1920)
- Good malt complexity from the Pilsen/roasted malt blend
- Very sweet, not for dry-stout purists
- 7.5% ABV is easy to underestimate given the sweetness
- Limited distribution outside Caribbean-focused retailers
Who it is for
Drinkers who enjoy sweeter, stronger stouts, or fans of Red Stripe curious about its darker sibling. If you want the drier, more traditional side of the style, our stout and food pairing guides cover more classic Irish and English stouts.
How to serve Dragon Stout
Serve slightly warmer than a light lager, around 50°F, in a standard pint or snifter glass to let the malt sweetness come through.
FAQs
How strong is Dragon Stout?
Dragon Stout is 7.5% ABV, notably stronger than most mainstream stouts.
Is Dragon Stout the same brewery as Red Stripe?
Yes. Both are brewed by Desnoes & Geddes Limited in Kingston, Jamaica.
Is Dragon Stout sweet?
Yes, it has a notably sweet, distinctive taste compared to dry stouts like Guinness, with the alcohol well masked by that sweetness.
