MacLean’s Dark Mild Ale

Brewed by MacLean’s Ales
Style: Mild Ale
West Grey, Canada

On tap at Volo. For a mild ale, this one was definitely dark. Minimal head, and fairly decent appearance altogether. Upon my first sip I noticed that is very mild indeed. The palate and taste immediately made me think porter, although a tad too bitter to be drank easily. Lacking in flavour, which does justice to the idea of a dark mild ale. An interesting change for those who do not like to venture towards the extreme IPAs, impy stouts or strong belgians. Less intimidating, but unfortunately, not all that interesting.

Draught. At C’Est What Spring Fest. Dark clear amber pour, with an average diminishing off-white head (3-). Aroma of burnt diacetyl (again - quite common at this fest). Taste is slightly syrupy, maybe a hint of cocoa and straw? Average body, sticky, slightly burnt, no finish at all - ehhh, dull, even for a mild.

Cask at Volo. Pours a deep orange-amber with a small lasting off-white head. Very mild aroma, grainy and lightly toasted sweet malt. Watery flavour of toasted grain, sweet malt and some mild fruit. Flat and thin bodied. Not very good.

On tap at Cest What?
Appearance: Light haze on light brown ring of foam, little carbonation.
Nose: Mild nose, gentle creamy character, some fruity hints. 5-
Flavor/Palate : Horrible texture. Flat, raw in character. Oily bodied with some woody hints. Poor, badly executed brew.

Cask at Volo. Dark amber, not too much head. Some malt sweetness in mild aroma. Taste is subdued as well - slight malt sweetness and a lot of water. Nice sessionable cask, but not much flavour and too watery.

Cask at C’est What - surprisingly light appearance for a dark mild. Aroma faint but includes dark fruitiness and sweet malt and a bit of butterscotch. Soft flavours - sweet malt mainly, with some fruit in there too. Good brew, and a decent enough package, if somewhat unmemorable.

Enjoyed on-cask at Bar Volo. Dark amber colour with modest white head, tapped the day before. Malty aroma, also grassy hops and mild fruit. Lacey. Below average mouthfeel, malty with some bitterness and fruitiness, and chocolate malt. Not too sweet, but some vegetable mater that builds up over the pint, with accumulating pepper and tabacco. A decent cask.