Lilley's bee sting is a sweet perry which relates to its name very well.
An overwhelming sweet honey flavour with the taste of ripe pear permeating through to the after taste.
Having said that, I don't think the sweetness is all natural and I'm sure its probably made from a sugar based concentrate.
At 6.8% abv it does have that subtle 'sting' which is a welcomed addition.
The pour has a pale yellow colour with a slight fizz.
Overall this isn't bad but I prefer a more natural flavour.
It’s very good, this. Especially if you like a sweet cider or perry. It does what it says on the label - it’s a slightly sparkling perry which is wholesome on the palate and medium to full bodied with great length and aftertaste.
Let’s start with the nose - giving it a good sniff it’s vibrate and alive with a hint of hay bale and subtle earthy notes with some lemon peel coming through.
Colour - it’s a light golden yellow that’s extremely transparent and clear with the faintest hint of fizz, bordering on still.
The taste - well, here’s where this perry explodes! Having a good sip/gulp it’s well rounded and with a great acidic line. It starts wide and narrows with a terrific long length and zesty aftertaste, it really is a sensation. A blended taste of honey, caramel and lemon awaits you with each sample - and it would be very easy to get through a pint in a few goes - but try to be patient as each sip does leave you wanting more, but my advice would be to try and let the flavours linger. Treat yourself!
Overall I’d say it tastes more like a sweet cider than an off-the-bat perry, but this is what makes it so intriguing. The label says it’s medium-sweet with “subtle flavours” and “fresh tasting pear”. I’d agree with both of these descriptions.
For me, if it had more fizz, this perry would be exceptional and I’d easily give it 5 starts.
However, it’s a bit too still and a tad cumbersome and can taste like a can of fizzy drink that’s been left to go flat.
On the whole however, it’s a decent 4-star effort with a wholesome taste with plenty of honey and lemon zesty complexity.
4/5.
Pale yellow, clear, pear is overwhelmed by honey. I'm not a fan of Lilley's exotic array of 4% 'fruit ciders', but at least this has the strength of a proper cider or perry.
It’s not that I don’t mind a sweet cider but it’s needs to be balanced with some acid or bitters. This was the first cider I tried when I dropped by Lilley’s and I didn’t enjoy it. It has some good pear flavor and aroma.
Lilley's Bee Sting (6.8% ABV - not the 7.5 of before, 500ml). A strong perry from Somerset cidery Lilley's, this comes with added sweetener (they don't say which one). Pours a very pale yellow, very mildly greenish - much like a NZ Sauvignon blanc. Sweetish and fruity aroma of pears, white grapes, and hints of honey. Fairly full body, very soft carbonation. Very strong palate of sugary pears, with the sweetener coming through, honey, and then a little later wee tart pears and mild acidity. Honey in the aftertaste.
If you don't mind the sweetener shining through, and the general sweetness, this is a fabulously fruity perry - the first I've had that actually has a strong pear taste. 7/10.
Clear, very slightly yellow in colour. Sparkling when purchased in bottles but I had this bag in the box).
Sweet pear aroma (shocking I know).
Dry / tart start followed by very sweet pear flavours.
Nothing mind blowing happening hear.
But better than a generic cider.
what can one say, absolutely beautiful Perry. The aroma is not too overwhelming, but the taste is just sublime. If you have a sweet tooth this will be perfect as its a bit on the sweet side, but its undoubtedly Somerset at its best.
At 6.8% its definitely worth a try
Pale yellow, with sweet, ripe, canned pear aroma.
Pear drop flavour, with skin becoming evident in the aftertaste, bringing a little bitterness, and some alcohol burn in the finish.
Drinkable, but unremarkable.
