Sleigh'r Dark Doüble Alt Ale - Ninkasi Brewing Company

Vancoubeer

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On the brewery's website it mentions this has an IBU of 50. So I was a bit confused because the draft form of this I had was a chocolate malt bomb that had bitter chocolate flavor and no hop bitterness. However it was not a bitterness I would rate at 50. It pours a very dark brown, almost black, as the label indicates. It formed a white head, which indicated that this was not as dense or containing as much roasty tones of a stout but was going to be an interesting experience. When I smelled it, it really did not have much of a scent due to it just being taken out of the fridge. But there was a bit of that dark malt scent. After the first taste, you get that maltiness up front and through the rest of the sip. There are no hops but was a bit disappointed that the chocolatey malts I got on draft was not in the bottle. It was kind of subtle. So this is totally a draft beer for sure. The mouthfeel was medium and the carbonation was the way you would want it. Overall, I gave this a 4 because its a solid beer but get it on draft. Its a much more pleasant experience.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 03:25:58 | More by Vancoubeer

UCLABrewN84

California

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear dark brown with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt and caramel. Taste is much the same with a herbal hop flavor on the finish. There is a medium bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but I am liking the smell over the taste.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 05:35:04 | More by UCLABrewN84

Reidrover

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz from Fred Meyer. S.Salem. Attractive brown with red accents. Nice looking bubbly tan head Nice malty aromas..caramel,coffee and some nuttiness. Deep malt driven flavours, coffee, dark chocolate WalnutsTouch of spicy hop at the end. LIked the palate on this one..its complex yet highly drinkable. Overall a nice malty beer for the winter. ,

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 17:41:25 | More by Reidrover

draheim

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle (2011) into a weizen glass. Pours a clear mahogany w/ a rich billowing head that sticks around. Tiny bubbles rise by the millions from the bottom of the glass. Looks like a doppelbock or a dunkeweizen.

Aroma is dark/caramel malt, maybe a hint of banana & clove - that could be my imagination though.

Taste is crisp, biscuity, malty, fruity w/ a nice hoppy finish. Clean, dry, medium body.

I'm not really sure what a dark double alt is, but this is a decent winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 05:35:52 | More by draheim

brewmanchu

California

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Let me start off by saying that I started this review with a cold bomber (about 45 degrees) and poured half in my glass and drank that, then let the other half warm up during the first glass to review a warmer beer since it is a double dark alt. The first set of comments in each character of the beer is cold, second set is upon second pour.

appearance: pours dark with an amber hue, giving an off brown/amber color. settles with about a half inch of head with light lacing. carbonation is minimal. Poured into a pint glass.

poured a little more aggressively to see what happened, came up with about an inch of head and some moderate lacing.

smell: i dont get a lot on the nose. some malty sweetness and a little alcohol.maybe a hint of chocolate.

second pour brought about more on the nose. malt, chocolate and espresso are more prominent, almost like warm mocha.

taste: some dark chocolate and espresso notes come through. a bit of alcohol is apparent but it mingles nicely with the malt, with a touch of bitterness paving way to a hint of sweetness on the finish.

as expected and foreshadowed by the nose, all of the darker and richer flavors come through in more abundance. the bitterness rounds out but is still there.

mouthfeel:the carbonation is there but mild. has a rich but thin aspect to it.

to me it became a little more deep and rich and the carbonation is more subtle and smooth. the finish is longer with the warmer aspect, letting all the flavors get to know each other.

overall: This is a pretty decent winter beer. I see myself having them from time to time during the season and possibly aging one.

I definitely prefer this beer on the warmer side, although it is still good cold/chilled.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 03:44:58 | More by brewmanchu

Wetpaperbag

Washington

3.73/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Saw this bottle around last season, but missed out. Then my wife picked me up some this year as a surprise gift.

A- Dark brown, sort of a mahogany color. The head is a tan tightly bubble head.

S- Smells good, kinda malty with a good spice note.

T- This is tasty, winter brew. I like the maltyness and spices that are playing there. There is a hop taste that is a bit bitter but doesn't seem to fit with the other tastes of the beer. I like the hop presence in this beer, but this is a bitterness that shouldn't be there.

M- Good feel, could use a touch more carbination.

D- Very drinkable, and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 04:22:39 | More by Wetpaperbag

rayre

California

3.73/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearence: Dark brown with a fairly decent cream colored head, that eventually gives way to some nice lacing.

Smell: Not overwhelming, predominantly roasted malts, but nothing distinctive.

Taste: Almost like a nut brown. Roasted malts... picking up on a touch of apple. Hoppy without it being overwhelming or the main focus of the beer. Hints of chocolate as it reaches the back of the tongue. Not as complex as I was hoping for.

Mouthfeel: Fairly crisp and light. Good carbonation.

Drinkability: Very drinkable and light for a winter ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 05:18:48 | More by rayre

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 picked up at the COOP over the weekend... poured into my shaped SA glass... great head retention and just superb foamy lacing... the brew is a crystal clear dark brown that shows deep ruby highlites when held to a light.

Nose strikes me as having quite a bit of leather and maybe some tobacco notes... prominent dark fruits with not as much caramel as I was expecting.

Flavor has more of the fruitiness at the front of the palate.. not as malty as I was hoping for either, but still pretty classy.. good complexities that I am having a hard time describing well.. it all mirrors the nose pretty much, I guess... the body is light given the bigger ABV.. but the carbonation really helps the drinkability.

4.5/4/3.5/3.5/4

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2009 07:40:52 | More by JohnGalt1

Blissfullbrew

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I love most of Ninkasi brews and this is not exception. I like the light flavor and great mouth fell of this beer. It has a nice brown head with awesome lacing. I am drinking this out of a Chimay Goblet and there is not a large spice presence which I appreciate. It has the carbonation I would expect from an alt beer and with a nice nutty flavor this beer might just become a new favorite winter ale.

All in all this brew is light in flavor and light on the wallet but heavy in ABV.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 05:18:19 | More by Blissfullbrew

Elimination

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A fairly light black slightly see through no head

A bit Of roasted malt in the nose some toffee and Carmel but it's hard to pick up

Taste is slight roast malt coffee chocolate but nothing stands out to hard I'm a little disappointed by this usually ninkasi is a brewery that really jumps out and brings it strong but this is sort of weak

Very light mouthfeel despite the abv

A pretty good beer overall but doesn't do a whole lot for me

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 01:37:38 | More by Elimination

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Into a pint glass. Half finger of tan head on a reddish-brown body.
A nice barnyard and grain smell.
Taste is a rich sweetness... hardy. Some caramel. Finish has a strong bitterness, mostly grapefruit.
Thicker body but just short of syrup. Low carbonation.
Delicious and a great take on combining a holiday ale and alt styles.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 01:41:20 | More by Fatehunter

beertunes

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a clear, clean deep ruby color with over an inch of khaki colored head that had medium retention and left very good lacing.

Predominately malt aroma with some hop spicieness. A full taste rolls over the tongue, mostly lightly sweet malt with just enough hops for a nice balance.

The body is very good, full without being heavy or sticky. The drinkability is very good as well, but I struggle having more than 3 in a row.

Overall, a better than solid beer that's worth your time.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2009 11:11:36 | More by beertunes

GreenCard

Oregon

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: dark brown/gold, good clarity, thick layer of dense tan foam with great retention, lace

Aroma: biscuity malt, grain dust, cinnamon

Flavor: medium malt sweetness with hints of Mexican chocolate and a piney hop flavor; also roasted hazelnuts; finishes semisweet with a mellow, herbal hop bitterness in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: medium-full body, smooth texture, gentle carbonation

Other comments: The ABV is well hidden because the alcohol warmth is pretty understated, hitting you really late and kind of deep in the chest. A nice winter seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 02:37:28 | More by GreenCard

dvb

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Pours dark brown with hints of red. Light gets through, but not much. Frothy head with significant lacing.

S - Mmmm... malt and alcohol. Not much hop character detected in the aroma.

T - On the sweet side, which is not a bad thing. And at 50 IBU, it's just bitter enough. Pleasant alcohol level. Seems right on target for a 1.068 OG brew. Nice. Sort of like a Belgian double mixed with a British brown ale or darker bock.

M - Not too heavy, not too thin. A little stickiness on the lips. Slightly warming, but not overly so.

D - I just killed a bomber inside of an hour and could easily get started on another one... if I had one.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 21:35:41 | More by dvb

climax

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This one pours a beer bottle brown with a medium size tan head. Retention and lacing are good; the big bubbles and patches of foam take a while to scarper off.

The nose is all malt; yet slight wood tones and ripe fruit seep their way in. Roasted chocolate tones and spice do a decent job of keeping things interesting.

50 IBU's seems high for the amount of bitterness I get, yet the finish is quite resinous and dry when I think about it. The alcohol announces itself much more in the taste, and accents the malt-heavy profile quite well. Ripe cherries and chalky yeast flavors do a good job of adding some spunk.

The medium body has a nice chewy quality. That, mixed with the dry chalky finish, makes for a good mouthfeel; perhaps the highlight of the beer for me.

If your looking for a malt-centric beer to cuddle up to while waiting for Santa, this may be a good stocking stuffer.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 05:21:58 | More by climax

augustgarage

California

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into my Uerige sticke.

Auburn liquid, nearly clear with bronze highlights and a beige cap. Pasty lacing, good retention.

Very mild toasty malt notes in the nose - little else.

Intensely malty palate entry with hints of the woodshop. Potent and focused astringency leads to the dry, malty/woody finish with additional touches of earth and peat (grassy/peppery notes from hops?). A touch of cocoa and roast coffee comes out as well. Vague spice sweetens up the aftertaste a tiny bit - alcohol offers a nice kick.

Light-bodied, smooth, warming, gently carbonated mouthfeel.

While the aroma doesn't lead you to expect much, this packs a singular malty punch without excessive astringency. The specialty malts are well displayed but in no way overwhelm the base malts.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 05:40:10 | More by augustgarage

BucannonXC5

California

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22-oz.bomber into a pint glass at my house on Dec. 1, 2012 (purchased the variety 4-pack for $15.99 at BevMo (with card) in La Mesa, Calif. (San Diego) on Nov. 27, 2012). Black, but not pitch black, with some brown in it with two fingers of dark tan head that lasted for quite some time. Pretty good retention all-around - wet and foamy on the sides, light lacing on the top.

Smelled black cherry, dark fruits, chocolate, plum, toffee and caramel.

Tasted those same dark fruits - black cherry, plum and regular cherries. Also chocolate, toffee, caramel and even a bit of brown sugar. Pretty bitter.

Full body. Surprisingly thin texture. Soft (below average) carbonation. Normal finish.

This was a pretty good beer, although I think it could have been better. I’m a sucker to chocolate and cherry in the beer and it worked here, but not as much as I would have liked.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 07:51:28 | More by BucannonXC5

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.84/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to my sister for picking up this bottle for me on her trip to Oregon.

Dark roasted brown in color. Looks black if you take it away from any direct lighting. Light tan head of about one finger, then recedes to a film of foam. The dark brown and ruby mix is also a little cloudy, so I can't make out any bubbling.

Dark malty bread crust aroma. Pumpernickel and hearty biscuits. The hops add a nice earthy, piney aroma to this brew. Malt forward it seems, but almost equally balanced with some Oregon hops.

Super toasted malt with some roasted malts as well. Mixed in are some citric and Earthy hop aromas. Definetly the hoppiest Alt I've had so far. I think its a pretty good American Northwest take on a classic German style.

Slightly chalky palate with a well balanced, bitter finish. Would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 14:49:12 | More by scruffwhor

brotherloco

California

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber. From Winter 2011 pack. Served in a goblet.

Pours a dark, slightly translucent brown with a 2 finger beige head. Settles fairly quickly. Lots of lacing left in glass.

Aroma is mostly dark malt, slightly sweet, slightly roasted. Dark fruits. Bright hops in the background.

Flavor is dark roasted malt with a ton of fruit notes. Fruit is lighter and sweeter than the nose. Apple, pear, banana. Spicy hops mix things up. Caramel sweetness sneaks through. Alcohol is mostly hidden.

Medium bodied with medium-light carbonation. A touch thick.

Overall, solid and smooth. A nice winter brew, and mild given the biggish ABV.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 07:37:03 | More by brotherloco

pnwclimber

Washington

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Mid to dark brown. Pebbly head doesn't stick around too long.

S: A bit of a alcohol smell, but not much else.

T: Nice taste. Biscut flavor and a little fruity. Mild hops.

M: Mid range body but clean.

D: Very drinkable.

I really like this brew. I would buy it again ... and again ....

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 06:38:07 | More by pnwclimber

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A double dark Alt turns out to be a winter warmer by any other name but this is one for the maltier side. You can taste the hops but the big strong malt comes through in the finish. Quite drinkable and most likely a canidate for one year in the cellar I thought this one the money and tsting close to Full Sail's Wassail.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 19:55:48 | More by canucklehead

DarthKostrizer

California

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Look: Dark brownish red in color with a 1/2 inch head and very good retention

Smell: Some dark fruit and brown sugar

Taste: Again like most Ninkasi beers this guy is very malty. Notes of caramel toffee and burnt sugar are present

Mouthfeel: Medium body and mildly carbonated

Overall: This is a good winter beer and I would recommend it and drink it again

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 19:00:00 | More by DarthKostrizer

pwoody11

Delaware

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hasn't been many reviews lately and the label states first time ever bottled, so i can only assume I've been sitting on this bottle for about 9 months. I can't remember when or how I got this, but it has definitely been stored properly.

Poured a dark brown with an amber tint, a little light comes through but nearly zero. 1/2 finger head that sits a little creamy leaving behind decent lacing.

Initial nose sheds a cookie like smell. I cant pinpoint what kind. Choc Chip or Oatmeal is what I'm leaning towards. Chocolate Chip Oatmeal? Some burnt dark fruit is on hand as well. Coffee is present as well.

Mouthfeel is smooth with a medium carbonation. I likey.

Taste is similar to the nose. First thing that comes to mind is part ale, part stout. Malts are easily detectable and are in the forefront, but the hops are not left out and are nicely represented.

Solid brew. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I am.

Worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 23:45:37 | More by pwoody11

velosuds

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a clear pint glass. No freshness dating evident. Purchased for $3.79 at local regional grocer.

A-Pours a dark amber hue with a one and a half finger, light tan head. Modest retention with good lacing.

S-Caramel malt aroma with dark fruits, and some piney and citric hops. Pleasant.

T-Toasted caramel and chocolate malts with fruitcake type fruit and spice flavors.

M-Very smooth and balanced.

D-This is a very drinkable winter seasonal since it has a lot of flavor but is not filling. 7.2% ABV is masked very well. Competitively priced bomber at $3.79 to $3.99 but would be better if available in sixers of 12 oz. bottles.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 01:55:39 | More by velosuds

philbertk

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ninkasi Brewing Company--SLEIGH'R Dark Double Alt Ale--Special Release! First Year in Bottles!--2009 Release--22 oz. Bottle. 7.20% ABV--50 IBU's. (4.15 / 5.0) Alt--Imperial--Starts clear bright dark ruby bronze red color with thin lace off white head. Sediment. Roasted floral hop front. Crisp zesty crusty mild sweet roasted malty spicy toasty dry thin toffee coffee nut hint body. Mild bitter hop clean rich end. Mild fruit hints. Complex. Sampled 1/9/2010. $5.75 Each.

Ninkasi Brewing Company--SLEIGH'R Dark Double Alt Ale--Seasonal Release!--2010. 7.20% ABV. 50 IBU's. (4.0 / 5.0) Alt--Imperial? Lacy lasting big dense tight tan head. Deep dark ruby brown color. No sediment. Light roasted cocoa hint pine hop front. Creamy mild sweet smooth toasty roasty rich mild chocolate spicy big brown ale mildly resinous & chalky body. Mild satisfying smooth end. Sampled 22 oz. bottle purchased for $4.00 10/12/2010 @ Seattle, Fremont PCC on 10/29/2010

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 19:29:37 | More by philbertk