Sleeman Original Dark (50*)
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.

Sleeman Original Dark (50*)Sleeman Original Dark (50*)
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From:
Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
70
Avg:
2.94 | pDev: 19.73%
Reviews:
76
Ratings:
102
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 20, 2021
Added:
Oct 26, 2001
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  9
An all malt ale, Sleeman Original Dark is brewed from a combination of roasted barley malts, English Aroma hops, and deep well water. Its unique flavour has become a trademark in the Sleeman lineup.
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Rated: 3.42 by Electros from Canada (ON)

Feb 20, 2021
 
Rated: 3.25 by Fishwhisperer from Michigan

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by fortyfield from Canada (ON)

Jan 28, 2016
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Rated by papat444 from Canada (QC)

3/5  rDev +2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Flashback #305
Aug 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by heerboth from Pennsylvania

Aug 15, 2015
 
Rated: 2.9 by DaveMiller from Minnesota

Mar 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)

Feb 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by Mack from Canada (QC)

Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 2.25 by Jotora from Canada (ON)

Oct 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.11 by slackt

Sep 02, 2014
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Rated by ZachT from Canada (BC)

1.5/5  rDev -49%
look: 1.25 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 2.5
Another lifeless offering, pass on this one
Aug 26, 2014
 
Rated: 2.25 by bigbluebeerguy from Kentucky

Jul 24, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by Borgs from Connecticut

Jul 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Gear54 from Indiana

Jun 30, 2014
Photo of thehyperduck
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)

3.04/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
341 mL bottle from a six-pack picked up at TBS; bottled Nov. 28 2013 and now labelled 'Sleeman Dark/Rousse', still at 5.5%. I believe this is the last major Sleeman brand for me to review - other than the Light, mostly because I don't want to pay for six servings of light beer. Served well-chilled.

Pours a clear, ruby-bronze colour, generating about one finger's worth of dense, creamy, off-white head. It recedes steadily over the next minute or three, soon settling into a thin film and narrow collar; not much in the way of lace. The aroma is really reminding me of their honey brown lager, albeit without that brew's cloying sweetness - bready malts, toasted grains, light caramel sweetness and a faint whiff of grassy earth combine to form an agreeable, if unimaginative amber ale bouquet.

The same theme carries over into the flavour profile. Toasted bread and grainy malts provide much of the flavour, with a light caramel sweetness and raisin fruitiness underpinning this. It finishes on the dry side, with a touch of leafy English-style hops, but the aftertaste does not linger long. Light-bodied and watery, with relatively strong carbonation for the style (though it's about what I'd expect from a crafty macro). An easy-drinking, non-challenging, shrug-worthy amber.

Final Grade: 3.06, a C+. I've had a few bottles of Sleeman Original Dark over the past weekend and I have become increasingly less impressed with each serving. Honey Brown fans will probably find this to be an acceptable offering, as it is considerably more balanced with a dryer finish thanks to the hop bill. While this is a passable amber that I could see myself selecting again, I'd probably stick with their Fine Porter over this one - neither one is a masterpiece, but the porter still comes together more completely than this middling offering, IMO.
Feb 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by deleted_user_127363 from Canada (QC)

Feb 09, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by BillRoth from Maryland

Dec 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by boszormeny from Canada (ON)

Dec 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by ppoitras from Massachusetts

Nov 10, 2013
Sleeman Original Dark (50*) from Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Beer rating: 70 out of 100 with 102 ratings