Sleigh'r Dark Doüble Alt Ale | Ninkasi Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Ninkasi Brewing Company
Oregon, United States | website
Style: Altbier
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.20%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
Called 'Dark Double Alt' on the label.
Ninkasi website:
"7.2% alc./vol. 50 ibus."
Added by msubulldog25 on 01-08-2009
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 167 | Ratings: 562
3.73/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L: Pours a very dark brown with tinges of amber and a light tan head.
S: Rich, malty and nutty with toasted caramel, bread crusts, pine and dark fruits.
T: Malty, nutty and toasty with a good deal of grassy hop bitterness. Roasty and toffee-like, with a long toasty and bitter finish. The grassy, medicinal quality of the hops and the bitter roastiness comes across as a bit harsh.
F: A tad over medium-bodied, silky oily mouthfeel, understated carbonation, mild warmth.
Overall: Interesting aroma, but the bitterness really throws off the balance. This probably would have been a great and certainly more drinkable beer if the bitterness had been dialed back a bit to let the malty brown ale quality take over.
★ 715 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L: Pours a very dark brown with tinges of amber and a light tan head.
S: Rich, malty and nutty with toasted caramel, bread crusts, pine and dark fruits.
T: Malty, nutty and toasty with a good deal of grassy hop bitterness. Roasty and toffee-like, with a long toasty and bitter finish. The grassy, medicinal quality of the hops and the bitter roastiness comes across as a bit harsh.
F: A tad over medium-bodied, silky oily mouthfeel, understated carbonation, mild warmth.
Overall: Interesting aroma, but the bitterness really throws off the balance. This probably would have been a great and certainly more drinkable beer if the bitterness had been dialed back a bit to let the malty brown ale quality take over.
★ 715 characters
3.79/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Nice deep color, with a thick creamy head.
Definitely on the sweeter side of things, with some spices comming through as they should.
Ninkasi continues to impress. Very drinkable.
★ 179 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Nice deep color, with a thick creamy head.
Definitely on the sweeter side of things, with some spices comming through as they should.
Ninkasi continues to impress. Very drinkable.
★ 179 characters
3.88/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look - Dark ruby-amber color, small creamy head
Smell - Mild bourbon - Rye? Fresh pine
Taste - Semi-sweet caramel and mild spice - rye, pepper ? Fresh pine and coffee layer in
Feel - full bodied and creamy cuts to a piney, light roasted coffee
Overall - Well balanced malt and hop character. This is a nice winter beer
★ 321 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look - Dark ruby-amber color, small creamy head
Smell - Mild bourbon - Rye? Fresh pine
Taste - Semi-sweet caramel and mild spice - rye, pepper ? Fresh pine and coffee layer in
Feel - full bodied and creamy cuts to a piney, light roasted coffee
Overall - Well balanced malt and hop character. This is a nice winter beer
★ 321 characters
3.08/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
12 oz bottle poured into a pub-style pint glass.
Appearance
Chestnut brown with ruby highlights. 1+ finger of creamy tan head with good retention. Good clarity with light carbonation.
Nose
Biscuit, brown sugar, caramel, and banana.
Taste
Toasted biscuit with additions of roasted barley and charcoal. Caramel with hints of brown sugar and banana.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus bodied, silky, crisp, dry, and moderately bitter.
Overall
This has a bitter charcoal flavor that throws me off. Other than that, it's a tasty brew.
★ 521 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
12 oz bottle poured into a pub-style pint glass.
Appearance
Chestnut brown with ruby highlights. 1+ finger of creamy tan head with good retention. Good clarity with light carbonation.
Nose
Biscuit, brown sugar, caramel, and banana.
Taste
Toasted biscuit with additions of roasted barley and charcoal. Caramel with hints of brown sugar and banana.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus bodied, silky, crisp, dry, and moderately bitter.
Overall
This has a bitter charcoal flavor that throws me off. Other than that, it's a tasty brew.
★ 521 characters
3.7/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Think Arrogant Bastard but less hoppy, slightly more sweet and a tad more viscous. Not quite the same level of complexity as Arrogant Bastard. However this is a very good beer and I plan to enjoy this again. Nice job Ninkasi!
★ 229 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Think Arrogant Bastard but less hoppy, slightly more sweet and a tad more viscous. Not quite the same level of complexity as Arrogant Bastard. However this is a very good beer and I plan to enjoy this again. Nice job Ninkasi!
★ 229 characters
4.52/5 rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
had this on tap in a pint glass
pours amber to brown with a thick tan head that lasted
smells boozy fruity and nutty reminded me of sam smiths winter welcome
taste nutty chocolate fruity and boozy
feel warming somewhat viscous
overall very enjoyable
★ 252 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
had this on tap in a pint glass
pours amber to brown with a thick tan head that lasted
smells boozy fruity and nutty reminded me of sam smiths winter welcome
taste nutty chocolate fruity and boozy
feel warming somewhat viscous
overall very enjoyable
★ 252 characters
4.03/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz bottle No bottling info
Pours a brown body that turns reddish and becomes a little clearer when held up to the light. Off white head has good lacing, fair retention.
Smell is malt forward with chocolate and a nutmeg type of spice.
Taste is a nice mellow malt.It doesn't go crazy. it's just there. A little chocolate that leads to an aftertaste that has a marzen-like crispness to it. I can't taste the 7.20 alcohol...
Nice full feel
This beer fits like a glove. Malt forward without being a malt bomb... Followed by a wonderful Marzen like crispness...Bravo !
★ 573 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22 oz bottle No bottling info
Pours a brown body that turns reddish and becomes a little clearer when held up to the light. Off white head has good lacing, fair retention.
Smell is malt forward with chocolate and a nutmeg type of spice.
Taste is a nice mellow malt.It doesn't go crazy. it's just there. A little chocolate that leads to an aftertaste that has a marzen-like crispness to it. I can't taste the 7.20 alcohol...
Nice full feel
This beer fits like a glove. Malt forward without being a malt bomb... Followed by a wonderful Marzen like crispness...Bravo !
★ 573 characters
4.02/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
650ml bomber poured into tulip 16/12/15
A dark brown with a maroon glow when held to the light, a dump down the middle puts out a finger of foam that sits around for just a few sips but somehow manages to leave lots of random lace
S nutty dark chocolate, hard toffee, raisins, dark bread, some hard to place spice, a malt bomb for sure
T just a hint of cold coffee on top of what I smell, all malt but I suppose that's the goal, intense flavor, simple, strong, and solid
M medium weight, soft carbonation, fine grit, dry finish with nutty chocolate
O didn't really know what to expect but I rather enjoyed this one, a nice break from all the hop bombs I've been putting in my face lately
I bought this one for the label but its working well with this chilly afternoon, well worth a try if your ion a malty mood
★ 825 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
650ml bomber poured into tulip 16/12/15
A dark brown with a maroon glow when held to the light, a dump down the middle puts out a finger of foam that sits around for just a few sips but somehow manages to leave lots of random lace
S nutty dark chocolate, hard toffee, raisins, dark bread, some hard to place spice, a malt bomb for sure
T just a hint of cold coffee on top of what I smell, all malt but I suppose that's the goal, intense flavor, simple, strong, and solid
M medium weight, soft carbonation, fine grit, dry finish with nutty chocolate
O didn't really know what to expect but I rather enjoyed this one, a nice break from all the hop bombs I've been putting in my face lately
I bought this one for the label but its working well with this chilly afternoon, well worth a try if your ion a malty mood
★ 825 characters
4.11/5 rDev +9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Ninkasi Brewing Co. "SLEIGH'R Dark Doüble Alt)
12 oz. brown glass bottle, no freshness dating
$1.99 @ Wegmans, Malvern, PA
You've got to hand it to Ninkasi, they've done a great job with the name and label on this beer. I just couldn't pass it up.
Now, it doesn't hurt that I'm a fan of Altbier, either, and that I've traveled to German, so I can honestly say that in my opinion they've nailed the style.
But what style? Well of course this is a "DOÜBLE" alt ale (I think we can forgive them for the false umlaut because "Sleigh'r" obviously references heavy metal, and they're just joking with it), and the obvious connections would be Zum Uerige's Sticke Alt and Doppelsticke, or even Schumacher's Latzenbier (although not nearly as strong), but what I'm getting at is that the malt and yeast character are correct. You could go back and forth all day doing comparisons and trying to place it, but why bother? It's an alt, and a strong one at that.
It's a very dark mahogany in color, mainly clear, and it displays a short head of tan. The aroma offers notes of plum and other not-so-drescript dark fruits over an almost-burnt sugar-like maltiness (German examples tend to display more noble hops). It's medium bodied and smooth with a fine-bubbled, slightly restrained carbonation (German examples seem to be fuller and a bit more carbonated, even "vom fass"). It's fairly well-hopped at 50 IBUs, with a surprising balance between bitterness and nutty, toasty, and darkly caramelish malts, and notes of roasted, but not acrid, malt also help to balance it. What hops are present in the flavor appear grassy and herbal, and perhaps even spicy (although that might be the 7.2% ABV talking!).
It's really nicely pulled together. Balancing an alt this perfectly can be a challenge, but they've done it, and kept it remarkably drinkable even at 7.2%. Worth trying!
★ 1,871 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Ninkasi Brewing Co. "SLEIGH'R Dark Doüble Alt)
12 oz. brown glass bottle, no freshness dating
$1.99 @ Wegmans, Malvern, PA
You've got to hand it to Ninkasi, they've done a great job with the name and label on this beer. I just couldn't pass it up.
Now, it doesn't hurt that I'm a fan of Altbier, either, and that I've traveled to German, so I can honestly say that in my opinion they've nailed the style.
But what style? Well of course this is a "DOÜBLE" alt ale (I think we can forgive them for the false umlaut because "Sleigh'r" obviously references heavy metal, and they're just joking with it), and the obvious connections would be Zum Uerige's Sticke Alt and Doppelsticke, or even Schumacher's Latzenbier (although not nearly as strong), but what I'm getting at is that the malt and yeast character are correct. You could go back and forth all day doing comparisons and trying to place it, but why bother? It's an alt, and a strong one at that.
It's a very dark mahogany in color, mainly clear, and it displays a short head of tan. The aroma offers notes of plum and other not-so-drescript dark fruits over an almost-burnt sugar-like maltiness (German examples tend to display more noble hops). It's medium bodied and smooth with a fine-bubbled, slightly restrained carbonation (German examples seem to be fuller and a bit more carbonated, even "vom fass"). It's fairly well-hopped at 50 IBUs, with a surprising balance between bitterness and nutty, toasty, and darkly caramelish malts, and notes of roasted, but not acrid, malt also help to balance it. What hops are present in the flavor appear grassy and herbal, and perhaps even spicy (although that might be the 7.2% ABV talking!).
It's really nicely pulled together. Balancing an alt this perfectly can be a challenge, but they've done it, and kept it remarkably drinkable even at 7.2%. Worth trying!
★ 1,871 characters
3.39/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From Bottle 12 Oz, poured on a wine glass with diner
Appearance: Color: dark amber clear, minimal head
Taste: Minimal follow through
Smell: Aroma: malty smell with slight wood aroma
Overall:
★ 192 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From Bottle 12 Oz, poured on a wine glass with diner
Appearance: Color: dark amber clear, minimal head
Taste: Minimal follow through
Smell: Aroma: malty smell with slight wood aroma
Overall:
★ 192 characters
4.15/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: pours a deep amber to light brown color. wonderful garnet hues. a finger or so of an off white head forms. good strong retention and leaves behind a frothy lacing. strong brightness and clarity when held up to the light. a really nice looking beer.
Smell: strong malts, with notes of nuts, caramel, chocolate, and a hint or roastiness. some fruitiness comes through, possibly from yeast or malts, not quite sure.
Taste: opens up with some fruity esters, notes of apples to pear, possibly some dark fruits. malts take over with big notes of chocolate, toasted grains, some nuttiness, and a hint of roastiness. light alcohol presence. hops may play a minor role in some flavors but never apparent enough to pick out individually.
Mouthfeel: nice full malty body. medium to full feel. some chewiness to it. exceptionally smooth and clean. hop bitterness is moderate. slightly warming feel.
Overall: certainly a style that is almost missing from the American craft beer scene, if not my area at the least. This beer does a great job of pushing the boundaries of the style while still keeping close to the things that matter most about it. In my opinion this is what the Sticke is all about. Overall this beer is a great addition to the area and something that will certainly be picked up again.
★ 1,310 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: pours a deep amber to light brown color. wonderful garnet hues. a finger or so of an off white head forms. good strong retention and leaves behind a frothy lacing. strong brightness and clarity when held up to the light. a really nice looking beer.
Smell: strong malts, with notes of nuts, caramel, chocolate, and a hint or roastiness. some fruitiness comes through, possibly from yeast or malts, not quite sure.
Taste: opens up with some fruity esters, notes of apples to pear, possibly some dark fruits. malts take over with big notes of chocolate, toasted grains, some nuttiness, and a hint of roastiness. light alcohol presence. hops may play a minor role in some flavors but never apparent enough to pick out individually.
Mouthfeel: nice full malty body. medium to full feel. some chewiness to it. exceptionally smooth and clean. hop bitterness is moderate. slightly warming feel.
Overall: certainly a style that is almost missing from the American craft beer scene, if not my area at the least. This beer does a great job of pushing the boundaries of the style while still keeping close to the things that matter most about it. In my opinion this is what the Sticke is all about. Overall this beer is a great addition to the area and something that will certainly be picked up again.
★ 1,310 characters
3.09/5 rDev -18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Very dark brown body that appears black except when held to the light. Good clarity. The head is a short off-white bit of foam that leaves very good lacing.
Aroma: There's a bit of a burnt wood aroma and at times a touch of alcohol comes through.
Taste: There is a sweet toffee flavor that is immediately overpowered by a strong charcoal flavor and a bit of pine sap. There is a bit of the sweet toffee flavor at the end. It has a very harsh edge.
Mouthfeel: Pretty full bodied and bitter.
Overall: The charcoal flavor and bitterness of this beer overpower everything which hampers the flavor and drinkability. If you like big bold roasted beers then this one is for you, but it lacks a lot of complexity and sweetness. I doubt I will buy it again. It's the classic case of a beer that is not particularly bad but is not that enjoyable to drink.
★ 861 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Very dark brown body that appears black except when held to the light. Good clarity. The head is a short off-white bit of foam that leaves very good lacing.
Aroma: There's a bit of a burnt wood aroma and at times a touch of alcohol comes through.
Taste: There is a sweet toffee flavor that is immediately overpowered by a strong charcoal flavor and a bit of pine sap. There is a bit of the sweet toffee flavor at the end. It has a very harsh edge.
Mouthfeel: Pretty full bodied and bitter.
Overall: The charcoal flavor and bitterness of this beer overpower everything which hampers the flavor and drinkability. If you like big bold roasted beers then this one is for you, but it lacks a lot of complexity and sweetness. I doubt I will buy it again. It's the classic case of a beer that is not particularly bad but is not that enjoyable to drink.
★ 861 characters
3.83/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a rich, dark maple brown, with a light tan head that retreats almost immediately but leaves a glorious work of lacing. Aroma is fruit and carmel, sort of feint, but rather pleasant. Taste is sweet, the essence of bananas and malt, slightly cinnamon spiced. Mouth feel is nice, lighter than I expected and exceptionally smooth.
★ 333 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a rich, dark maple brown, with a light tan head that retreats almost immediately but leaves a glorious work of lacing. Aroma is fruit and carmel, sort of feint, but rather pleasant. Taste is sweet, the essence of bananas and malt, slightly cinnamon spiced. Mouth feel is nice, lighter than I expected and exceptionally smooth.
★ 333 characters
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear light brown color with off-white head. Caramel malt, roast, nuts, and a slight dark fruit on the nose; follows onto the palate. Medium bodied. Finishes with roast and caramel notes.
★ 195 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear light brown color with off-white head. Caramel malt, roast, nuts, and a slight dark fruit on the nose; follows onto the palate. Medium bodied. Finishes with roast and caramel notes.
★ 195 characters
4.18/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours deep mahogany, fairly rich in appearance with a moderate tan head that fades to leave some lacing.
Smells pretty nice actually, with fruity notes largely of sweet pear, banana, and there's also a hint of some spice, light cinnamon/ nutmeg.
Taste is toasty malts, a good balance of hops, underlying dark fruit, and some peppery banana. The pepper note lingers through the finish, leaving a mildly numbing bitterness. What a great balance of sweet and bitter throughout it all. There's a surprising complexity for me here.
Well-carbonated and medium-chewy feel.
This is a terrific departure from the usual over-abundance of certain other styles. A holiday winner.
★ 672 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours deep mahogany, fairly rich in appearance with a moderate tan head that fades to leave some lacing.
Smells pretty nice actually, with fruity notes largely of sweet pear, banana, and there's also a hint of some spice, light cinnamon/ nutmeg.
Taste is toasty malts, a good balance of hops, underlying dark fruit, and some peppery banana. The pepper note lingers through the finish, leaving a mildly numbing bitterness. What a great balance of sweet and bitter throughout it all. There's a surprising complexity for me here.
Well-carbonated and medium-chewy feel.
This is a terrific departure from the usual over-abundance of certain other styles. A holiday winner.
★ 672 characters
3.41/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a 22 oz bottle: deep mahogany color, clear, dense head of foam. Not much on the nose. Malt forward but there is some hops. Nutty. The heat of alcohol for sure. This is a fun winter beer; unique in that there are not many alt biers on the shelf in most places.
★ 270 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a 22 oz bottle: deep mahogany color, clear, dense head of foam. Not much on the nose. Malt forward but there is some hops. Nutty. The heat of alcohol for sure. This is a fun winter beer; unique in that there are not many alt biers on the shelf in most places.
★ 270 characters
3.81/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Clear, dark brown in color with a thick lightly tanned head. A nice looking beer
S: sweet, lightly toasted malt aroma, reminiscent of baked bread with a bit of herbal hops in the background.
T: light malt sweetness with bold roasted malt flavor. Notes of toasted bread and tobacco with a bit of pine bitterness near the end. ABV is well hidden.
M: Excellent mouthfeel with a pleasantly dry finish.
O: a balanced altbier especially when you consider the higher ABV. A good ale well worth a try.
★ 501 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Clear, dark brown in color with a thick lightly tanned head. A nice looking beer
S: sweet, lightly toasted malt aroma, reminiscent of baked bread with a bit of herbal hops in the background.
T: light malt sweetness with bold roasted malt flavor. Notes of toasted bread and tobacco with a bit of pine bitterness near the end. ABV is well hidden.
M: Excellent mouthfeel with a pleasantly dry finish.
O: a balanced altbier especially when you consider the higher ABV. A good ale well worth a try.
★ 501 characters
3.1/5 rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A little taste of Dusseldorf, here in the NW. Dark brown with foamy beige head, nutty taste and aroma, roast grains, dry finish. It’s an altbier alright, and a pretty good one too.
★ 182 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A little taste of Dusseldorf, here in the NW. Dark brown with foamy beige head, nutty taste and aroma, roast grains, dry finish. It’s an altbier alright, and a pretty good one too.
★ 182 characters
4/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12-oz bottle pour into an American pint glass.
Sleigh'r pours a nice dark brown color with a frothy head. It has a rich, malty smell that doesn't really translate that much into the taste. There is a good malt flavor, but the bittering aftertaste keeps it from being an overly sweet beer. It's pretty strongly carbonated, which I like, and the bitter aftertaste stays in the mouth long after a sip. Are we using umami for beer yet? Because Sleigh'r has some serious savory undertones.
Overall, a very solid beer. Sleigh'r is my favorite standard Oregon holiday brew.
★ 568 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12-oz bottle pour into an American pint glass.
Sleigh'r pours a nice dark brown color with a frothy head. It has a rich, malty smell that doesn't really translate that much into the taste. There is a good malt flavor, but the bittering aftertaste keeps it from being an overly sweet beer. It's pretty strongly carbonated, which I like, and the bitter aftertaste stays in the mouth long after a sip. Are we using umami for beer yet? Because Sleigh'r has some serious savory undertones.
Overall, a very solid beer. Sleigh'r is my favorite standard Oregon holiday brew.
★ 568 characters
4.08/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I guess this one's technically a "Sticke" what with the slightly higher alcohol content, more robust malt presence, and bolder hop character than is called for in a regular Altbier. Poured this fellow into a "Stange," as this is the suggested appropriate glassware. In my eyes, it would seem more at home in a standard pint, a stein, or even a snifter. No matter, a good ale either way. Its color is a fairly clear copper-brown, reminded me of a scotch ale at first, but then I decided it was a lighter hue than the ruby-brown of that style. The head, from the side, is a uniformly-bubbled, light brown, but becomes whiter, chunkier, and finer towards the top. To me this indicates a relatively high viscosity, with some of the beer's body sticking to the medium-sized bubbles forming the head before trickling down. Head retained well. Aromatically it is definitely akin to a scotch ale, but not on the smokier/peatier side of that style. Just caramelized and toasted malts, some alcohol, and after a few whiffs, calling to mind first molasses, then brown sugar and cocoa. Toasted, somewhat smokey-tart maltiness is the first thing you notice once you finally imbibe. The sweetness is there, but not nearly as much as you might expect from the aroma. There are also notes of something fruity, strongest on the sides of the back of the tongue. Can't quite put my finger on it. With settling; bitter, piney hops balance out, and with swallowing; overcome, the malt character. This rich, smooth, medium- to full-bodied brew, with pleasant carbonation is one I'm glad I became acquainted with. Lots to notice here and I'm sure I missed something.
★ 1,644 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I guess this one's technically a "Sticke" what with the slightly higher alcohol content, more robust malt presence, and bolder hop character than is called for in a regular Altbier. Poured this fellow into a "Stange," as this is the suggested appropriate glassware. In my eyes, it would seem more at home in a standard pint, a stein, or even a snifter. No matter, a good ale either way. Its color is a fairly clear copper-brown, reminded me of a scotch ale at first, but then I decided it was a lighter hue than the ruby-brown of that style. The head, from the side, is a uniformly-bubbled, light brown, but becomes whiter, chunkier, and finer towards the top. To me this indicates a relatively high viscosity, with some of the beer's body sticking to the medium-sized bubbles forming the head before trickling down. Head retained well. Aromatically it is definitely akin to a scotch ale, but not on the smokier/peatier side of that style. Just caramelized and toasted malts, some alcohol, and after a few whiffs, calling to mind first molasses, then brown sugar and cocoa. Toasted, somewhat smokey-tart maltiness is the first thing you notice once you finally imbibe. The sweetness is there, but not nearly as much as you might expect from the aroma. There are also notes of something fruity, strongest on the sides of the back of the tongue. Can't quite put my finger on it. With settling; bitter, piney hops balance out, and with swallowing; overcome, the malt character. This rich, smooth, medium- to full-bodied brew, with pleasant carbonation is one I'm glad I became acquainted with. Lots to notice here and I'm sure I missed something.
★ 1,644 characters
3.78/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Sampled a pint at Beer Revolution in Calgary. Arrived a dark mahogany brown with a light topcoat of creamy off-white froth.
Compelling aroma that is surprising smoky, fruity, and aromatic. This is an odd beer, stylistically (from a conceptual standpoint) and in practice. Do not read "odd" as unpleasant. I am struck by an initial back bacon smokiness, followed quickly by some salt water taffy and astringent grape skins, raisins, milk chocolate, tart crabapples, dry walnut meat, and a decent boozy note. It should be a train wreck yet somehow this brew manages to meld these disparate elements into something that works. I certainly get some classic alt characteristics, fleshed out by equal parts winter warmer and rauchbier. Medium bodied and similarly mid-range in terms of carbonation. Finishes with a surprising dose of piney hops.
As I stated earlier, a unique hybrid. Nice to see a holiday-themed brew doing something besides adding spices. This beer may not truly understand what it actually is, beyond fairly delicious.
★ 1,034 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Sampled a pint at Beer Revolution in Calgary. Arrived a dark mahogany brown with a light topcoat of creamy off-white froth.
Compelling aroma that is surprising smoky, fruity, and aromatic. This is an odd beer, stylistically (from a conceptual standpoint) and in practice. Do not read "odd" as unpleasant. I am struck by an initial back bacon smokiness, followed quickly by some salt water taffy and astringent grape skins, raisins, milk chocolate, tart crabapples, dry walnut meat, and a decent boozy note. It should be a train wreck yet somehow this brew manages to meld these disparate elements into something that works. I certainly get some classic alt characteristics, fleshed out by equal parts winter warmer and rauchbier. Medium bodied and similarly mid-range in terms of carbonation. Finishes with a surprising dose of piney hops.
As I stated earlier, a unique hybrid. Nice to see a holiday-themed brew doing something besides adding spices. This beer may not truly understand what it actually is, beyond fairly delicious.
★ 1,034 characters
3.87/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Great looking beer. Glowing dark brown with a creamy off-white head. A decent Winter seasonal, but MUCH stronger and hoppier than a real Alt. Considering the seasonal competition, I wouldn't get it again though.
★ 211 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Great looking beer. Glowing dark brown with a creamy off-white head. A decent Winter seasonal, but MUCH stronger and hoppier than a real Alt. Considering the seasonal competition, I wouldn't get it again though.
★ 211 characters
4.26/5 rDev +13%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Reviewed from memory; served in a red solo cup and shared profusely.
Pours a deep, dark nut-brown with a thin lacy head. Tasted just plain awesome, with thick, sweet notes of molasses and malt with a refreshing evergreen hop bite. Went down smooth and easy despite the ABV. I didn't get to try a whole lot of it for myself, but I'm glad I didn't give it all away!
★ 364 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Reviewed from memory; served in a red solo cup and shared profusely.
Pours a deep, dark nut-brown with a thin lacy head. Tasted just plain awesome, with thick, sweet notes of molasses and malt with a refreshing evergreen hop bite. Went down smooth and easy despite the ABV. I didn't get to try a whole lot of it for myself, but I'm glad I didn't give it all away!
★ 364 characters
3.9/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up a bomber from Total Wine in late October for $4.99. Bottled on 10-3-2014.
Beer poured brown with a nice off white head that is leaving some lacing behind.
Nose is malty, some hints of toasted grains.
Taste is bold but very well balanced. Sweet toasted malts are balanced nicely by citrus and floral hops.
Mouthfeel is medium to full and smooth.
Overall this is a nice seasonal. Unfortunately I did not see that this comes in a sixer format. Will definitely pick up a sixer for next year!
★ 508 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked up a bomber from Total Wine in late October for $4.99. Bottled on 10-3-2014.
Beer poured brown with a nice off white head that is leaving some lacing behind.
Nose is malty, some hints of toasted grains.
Taste is bold but very well balanced. Sweet toasted malts are balanced nicely by citrus and floral hops.
Mouthfeel is medium to full and smooth.
Overall this is a nice seasonal. Unfortunately I did not see that this comes in a sixer format. Will definitely pick up a sixer for next year!
★ 508 characters
Sleigh'r Dark Doüble Alt Ale from Ninkasi Brewing Company
3.77
out of 5
based on 562 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hearty brown and deep red, even though we're dealing with darker colors, this one wasn't thick and cloudy, it was still showing some clarity. Aroma had a lot of winter spice rack, toffee, nuts, caramel, tobacco.
Taste was a malt driven experience, only a residual amount of sweetness. Smooth throughout. An alt, but it kind of drinks like a winter warmer meets cream ale meets alt.
I have a super old bottle of this just hanging out in the cellar. Should be interesting.
★ 486 characters