Sleeman Original Dark

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

Not very good by any means but decent for how cheap it is, less than $18 for a case.

Ok, it says amber ale on the label so I’m confused. Off aroma in its own special way, like a couple of other sleemans I’ve opened. Certainly not as bitter as an ale and its is some what lagerlike. Not a great american dark lager but is Ok by general lager criteria. As an amber ale way above average but as an american dark lager, not in the same class as George Killians Irish Red .

Single 11.5 oz bottle from Total Wine in Jacksonville, FL. Pours a dark amber color with very little head to speak of. Aroma is roasted malts, maybe some caramel in there. Taste is nice and nutty, and the hops are barely noticeable. Almost tastes like a Newcastle Brown Ale. Not bad.

Pretty good dark lager. Aroma of caramel and nuts, with a head that disappeared almost as soon as it formed (might have been my pour). Taste matched the aroma. For $10.99 a 12 pack this isn’t bad, and is VERY sessionable.

Name: Original Dark 50
Date: 04/01/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Brewfest, Classic City

Appearance: amber, frothy beige head
Aroma: dark caramel and light chocolate aroma
Flavor: nice sweet caramel flavor, light chocolate character, flavor matches the aroma,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 9/20
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4
-------- /> Name: La Rouse
Date: 08/03/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Summits - Woodstock

Appearance: clear amber, fine dirty white head, streaks of drippy lace,
Aroma: sweet caramel malt aroma,
Flavor: rich malt flavor, nice dark caramel sweetness, light earthyness,

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 9/20
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Not really going to change my rating much here, but I’ll give it a more proper review... Caramel malt flavour that’s a little plain. Okay, nevermind. Half-assed review.

This was an old favourite from back when I thought Guiness was the only Stout in the world. Figured I would pick it up for old times sake as I never did rate it. Deep rusty brown colour. Very thick foamy head that faded too quickly. Weak scent, a bit of malts and caramel but little else. Deep malty nutty taste. Overly Carbonated. Bitter aftertaste. Overally really nothing that special, stil better then most macrobeers, and a good ’local’ session beer.

If the IPA isn’t any better, than this is the only good Sleeman out of the variety pack. Can’t describe the color anymore than amber. Has more aroma than the porter and cream ale, but once again the metallic smell. Maybe my nose is broken. Actually the aroma is identical to the porter and cream ale, but just more intense. Tastes almost sweet. Some malt and actually a tiny bit of alcohol. Shocking at 5.5%. Hard to swallow though; chalkiness that was felt in all the other Sleemans returns once again. I’m going to have to re-rate all these with a hopefully fresher batch. Still, the best Sleeman so far.