John Sleeman Presents Fine Porter

Brewed by Sleeman Brewing & Malting Co. (Sapporo)
Style: Porter
Guelph, Canada

Pouring this bottle into a glass, I could smell a bitter chocolate and smoke. The color was brownish red. The foam was frothy which lasted a while then dissipated quickly after that. To my palate, there was a medium sweetness, moreso than most dark beers. The bitterness was not too overwhelming, I guess a medium bitterness. I have had more bitter lagers, which makes this a good beer. There was definitely a full and creamy body. Somebody stated that it was very carbonated, well it was not too carbonated in my region (and this is fresh and sat in my mouth very well). Overall, this has been one of the best dark beers I have had...should be labeled as a Black and Tan, which is more of what it tastes like.

Dark and far more powerful than you would expect from a 5.5 per center. Malty with a slight coffee flavour this is an impressive porter.

Actually my bottle said Sleemans Porter 68, but I believe this listing is a rename of that, assuming from the recipe page 69 reference. However my experience is that what I tasted was significantly better than the reviews here so I’m not sure. Anyway, here’s my review of Porter 68: Poured nearly black, had a tidy tan short head which faded Porter-style, leaving some nice sticky lace. On the nose was dark roasted malt, grass, both herbal and floral hops, grapefruit, raisins, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, leather and brown sugar. Flavor was heavily toasted malt, espresso, and earthy tones balanced by astringent grapefruit/juniper hops, deeper were fruit and sugar undertones, deeper still the faint crackers and sourdough bread flavor of yeast. Very full bodied, enough to please the stout lover or the hophead. Mouthfeel was protypical Porter.

Pours dark brown with a thick tan head which quickly deminishes. Aroma consists of coffee and some chocolate. The flavour contains malt and some fruit. I enjoyed this beer and it has become one of my regulars.

Pours a very dark brown with a mocha head. Aroma is of chocolate, cocoa and coffee. Flavour is much of the same with an added element of malt. Finish is quite smooth. Overall a good porter and probably the best Sleeman beer.

Nose of roasted malt, oatmeal, coffee, caramel and some alcohol. Pours espresso with ruby highlights. The decent cascade resolves into a mostly lasting rocky beige head that leaves good lace. The huge front is roasted followed by a warm spicy acidic middle. The finish is tangy and roasted. The medium body is dry and soft to lively.

(Bottle) Pours a FREAKISHLY-huge frothy almond head and a near opaque deep-deep reddish body. Nose of a typical porter: roasted malt, coffee. Nose of a typical Sleeman: tinny, adjunct-clear-bottle smell. The flavours are fairly full riding on an oily palate. Slightly bitter black licorice yet very good chocolate and cream undertones. My favourite of the Sleeman line... no wonder Josh cut his Asian trip short, he is rushing back to sample this limited time offer.

Nice toasted aroma, smooth bitter taste. Little head, moderate lacing. Good colour, but taste is somewhat in the background... doesn’t really grab you. A very drinkable thing, but nothing to run after.