Sleigh'r Dark Doüble Alt Ale - Ninkasi Brewing Company

laituegonflable

Australia

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a copper colour, quite clear with tan head, minimal but a decent fizz to it. Lace is nice and sticky. Looks rich, but maybe a bit thin.

Smells rich and Christmassy, with lots of dried fruit - raisins and sultanas with some dried apple, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of ginger. Treacle and molasses as well make it a bit too sweet, but it's a yummy Christmas beer.

Taste is far more sour, with the fruit esters dominating for the most part. Pear and fig with sultanas, raisins and a slight banana phenol joining in on the mid-palate. Spice comes in on the back with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove and an underlying boozey heat. Could actually use a bit more of that sweetness that put me off a bit on the nose, it feels a bit detached and needs more of a backbone on which to float that complex spice.

A bit drying and spicey at the edges, yet the body is decent.

A good Christmas beer, but some more sweetness on the palate would go a long way to balance it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 05:18:43 | More by laituegonflable

Reidrover

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
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

flexabull

California

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear and dark amber color with a nice white head, decent lacing as well.

Aromas are of baked apples, roasted malts, caramel, and earthy hops.

Taste is very malty, some cocoa, caramel, toasty dark breads, and baked apples. Finish is crisp, warming, with earthy hop flavors. This beer seems very fitting for cold weather.

Mouthfeel is good, full, smooth, and with snappy carbonation.

Drinkability is quite high. This is another solid beer, from a very nice lineup from Ninkasi. As mentioned before, this beer is a nice example of the "winter warmer" style.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 20:13:50 | More by flexabull

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 11/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a dark brown with red highlights; light head and lacing. Aroma of fruit, bread and malt. Medium body. Malty flavor with a peppery bite in the middle. Roasty and dark malt, light fruit, a bit of nut, some cocoa, mild hops. Dry spicy finish. A nice revisitable seasonal ale. This really grew on me as I finished the glass.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 03:42:53 | More by LiquidAmber

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured very dark brown with a small amount of light brown head.

S - Bready malts, brown sugar, and some noticeable alcohol on the nose.

T - Bready malts, brown sugar, warming alcohol and a touch of spice,

M - Light to medium body. Light carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2012 18:02:26 | More by TheSevenDuffs

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Taken from notes on 2.18.11.

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Brownish amber with red edges. Off-white head that lingers. Good lacing.

S - Mostly boozy here.

T - Nutty, Spicey, and slightly like ginger bread.

D - Drinks extremely easy and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 22:33:45 | More by HuskyinPDX

Arbitrator

California

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Chilled '10 bomber into a glass. Purchased from K&L in Redwood City.

Also shared in '09 by ramnuts, but I never got around to reviewing it.

A: Pours a dark, but clear, maroon body capped by a fluffy light beige head. Great retention leaves sticky lace down the sides, with a thick collar and broken film adorning the brew. Some lace during sips. Nice.

S: Nuts, cocoa powder, oranges, green hops, raisins. Not altogether pungent, but it's broad and it's balanced.

T: Nuts, caramel, orange hops, some herbal bitterness. There's a strong baker's chocolate flavor along with lingering, earthy bitterness; they overwhelm the beer. Despite the bitterness, its finish is maltier than I expected; I was hoping for something cleaner. A bad expectation?

M: Almost a gritty, powdery texture that I didn't like, particularly since it made the bitterness stickier. It was unusual, though nothing seemed off when I poured a little into my hand (no floaties or anything). Just strange.

D: I remembered enjoying it last year, but this one is a bit of a letdown.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 03:37:53 | More by Arbitrator

Offa

California

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is an excellent, full-bodied beer, fairly balanced, interesting with good complexity.

Very dark copper-brown, it has a medium tan head steadily shrinking to a creamy thin top, then foamy ring and a little lace.

Aroma is dark caramelised, very toasty barley with dry leaves, hint of wood, very toasty and caramelly overall with hint of caramelised bacon.

Taste is a lot of toasted barley (singed, almost burnt), caramelised dry leaves and wood, black pepper. A burnt-pepper bitterness just dominates dark toffee sweetness at finish but backs off before becoming too bitter. Bitterness lingers with some hints of sweet, dark dried fruits and a light winey element. Bitterness is just a touch too assertive at end but it has good character and flavour. Feel is good, solid, not heavy.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 01:04:32 | More by Offa

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.03/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a Koningshoeven chalice.

A: Little to no off-white head. Clear brown sugar.

S: Fruity-sweet and malty. Raisins. Smells a bit like a BSDA. Flat.

T/M: Eh. Thin, yeasty, and lightly sour fruit. Red candy licorice? I'm generally unimpressed.

O: Not a fan, to be honest. It's an okay beer, and I wouldn't recommmend or have again; but still, I'm not a huge fan of altbier in general.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 05:48:37 | More by AgentMunky

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to flexabull for this one.

A - Deep brown with ruby hues when held to the light. Not much of a head but a few wisps of lace remain.

S - Malty, toasted bread, nutty with some light chocolate and fruit.

T - Very malty and while the hops aren't noticeable they keep it from being too sweet. Rich caramel and toffee, almost a burnt toast flavor, nutty, chocolate with some light fruit.

M - All that malt flavor feels a little heavy at first but it drinks on the light side. Medium carbonation with a slightly chalky finish.

D - Nice alt for how big this beer is. I was afraid it might be a bit sweet but it is nicely balanced.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 01:08:04 | More by brewcrew76

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap in a pint glass at Big Mario's in Seattle on 11/9/11

Dulled brown, like slightly watered down cola. 1/4th inch head. Smooth, thin layer of retention. Impressive lace - thick rings bleed together.

Dark fruit, spice and sugar aromas. Raisin, apple butter, lots of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of molasses. Toasted bread. Maybe ginger? The taste shifts toward toasted flavors - partially burnt toast with cinnamon. Toasted sugars aren't too sweet. Earthy hops with a pine kick and bitterness. Dark fruit offers a tangy notion that plumps around the middle. Medium-full body. Ample carbonation propels spices. Finishes spicy and dry.

Pretty good all around; not to sweet or spicy. The abv seems reasonable, too. I'm not sure about the style, but whatever.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 16:29:17 | More by Ryan011235

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a tulip.

Pours a very dark mahogany brown with a one finger light brown head with some light delicate lacing.

Taste is quite malty as to be expected with the style, there's a nice earthy and slightly sharp flavor that rounds it is out well, it doesn't seem syrupy or overly sweet but it's making my lips sticky...

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2011 02:31:40 | More by kingcrowing

ElGordo

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 22oz bottle into a pint glass. Body is a deep brown color with garnet hilights, topped by a good amount of creamy tan head. Aroma is very malt-forward, with a nice nutty character and a good roasty backbone.
Palate is sweet and malty, nutty and slightly chocolatey. Some mild, fruity hops keep it from being an overwhelming malt blast and leave a pleasant bitterness on the finish. Body is full and a bit creamy, a very nice vehicle for the assertive flavors. I'm not sure I've had more than a couple of beers in the double-alt style, but I've sure been enjoying this one all winter long. A nice break from the usual Ninkasi hop bombs.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 06:04:22 | More by ElGordo

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice dark altbier. Looks almost like a porter, but a little more brown in the body.

Malty, almost smoky in the nose. Slightly sweet. Nice, roasted taste with a bit of smokiness and coffee to it. Faint hints of chocolate and caramel. Very light and enjoyable.

Light in the mouth, but fitting for the style. A nice dark take on the alt style.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 06:13:14 | More by BDTyre

augustgarage

California

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
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

jdense

Oregon

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle from John's Marketplace PDX poured into Chimay chalice 12/30/09.

Dark brown body, a bit of chill haze, substantial off white head, slow dissipation, an impressive looking beer. The nose is quite malty, a bit more sweet than bready, not much hop presence to speak of. The taste is the same as nose, with a slight smokiness, and some caramel malts, pretty well balanced. The finish is a bit bitter, was wondering when the hops would appear, pretty viscuous. Mouthfeel features significant carbonation. Drinkable yes (though a bit boozy for the style,more of a sipper than a quaffer), memorable no. To be honest, the second best Christmas beer from Eugene I've had this year, after Oakshire's Ill Tempered Gnome.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2010 22:49:10 | More by jdense

woemad

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz. bomber purchased at Enoteca in Post Falls (at least I think so). According to the label, this is a "dark, double Alt." Intriguing.

Poured a cola-ish color that took on a mahogany shade when held up to the light. A good inch or so of a bubbly, beige head sat atop the beer. Lots of lace.

Fairly roasty and malty in the nose, with nary a whiff of hops.

Like the smell, there's not much to the taste besides the malts. There are some sweet, sugary malts, but they are more than balanced by some dark, roasty notes. In fact, this is quite a bit more bitter than any other Alt I've had. There is a slight, coffeeish flavor well in the background. Ends on a very slight hop bite.

Medium bodied, with a slightly prickly mouthfeel.

Not a bad beer, but it isn't a flavor bomb by any means. There are definitely better winter seasonals out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 20:46:13 | More by woemad

CHickman

New York

3.34/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours black color with brown showing at the edges where the light hits it, with a 2 finger frothy beige head that faded slowly and left good lacing as it went down, leaving a layer on top.

Smells of malt, grains, yeast, cardboard, light caramel, burnt wood and chocolate; pretty basic nose and a lot tamer than I expected.

Tastes like it smells, with malt, toasted grains, yeast, cardboard, light caramel, coffee grinds, burnt wood, lemon zest and bitterness, herbs, metal like a penny and chocolate. It’s got limited fruit with strong malty notes, and I’m not sure the bitterness added any balance. Roasted grains and malts negated any sweetness and this was pretty one dimensional tasting.

Mouthfeel is creamy and very smooth, with light watery carbonation, a medium body and slightly bitter finish that’s full of roasted malt. It got a little better and more flavorful as it warmed up, but not to the point that got me excited to drink it.

I bought it because I love the Slayer homage on the label, but thought it was average at best.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 03:51:31 | More by CHickman

elNopalero

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a ruddy amber, a little like a darker, cloudy apple cider.

The cinder comparison is apt, as hints of it come across the flavor profile. (I’m thinking of Michigan cider, warmed with cinnamon, not hard cider.) There’s hints of cinnamon and cloves, as well as a hop profile that reminds me of pine sap and squeezed grapefruit.

It’s a unique one, and it’s tasty—not your typical holiday ale!

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 06:15:05 | More by elNopalero

froghop

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours a clear dark copper with a red tint, a small thick tan head, and good lacing.

smell is of malt, nuts, spice, and some caramel.

taste is of sour malt, spice, caramel, and pepper, ends tart, and a little thick.

overall a pretty good altbier. yum.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 22:39:04 | More by froghop

Docer

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had ontap at The Beer Mongers... hadn't tried it yet, so I made the trip..

- Nice dark Alt with a fuzzy light colored head... down to a nice haze..

- Certainly a nice solid malt profile with a fantastic hop bitterness to it without being overly fruity or zesty... quite balanced and traditional.

- Solid strong Alt... well balanced, and a nice bittering hop note. Many alts carry the malt too far... but this one is nicely balanced.

- Little dry, but overall light and smooth.

- This is a great Alt, but I am not overly impressed... it doesn't really stand out, nor does it have anything unique to offer... spices etc...

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2009 22:24:58 | More by Docer

PDXHops

South Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Docer for this bomber, poured into a Duvel tulip. Exceedingly dark brown with a auburn tint. The foamy off-white head reduces fairly quickly, but a thick bubbly ring and islands remain. Scattered soapy lacing.

Rich malty nose- roasty, nutty and mildly sweet. Pleasant in a mild sort of way. Tastes a good deal more lively, with a fruity burst immediately followed by a surprising punch of herbal bitterness. Loads of maltiness- moderately sweet, plenty nutty and roasty, with a pronounced burnt quality to the otherwise clean finish. The viscous body seems to wrestle with the bitterness and a certain resiny grit. A few additional flavors reveal themselves right at the swallow- a touch of cocoa powder, a few raisins, a touch of citrus zest.

Overall impression: Perhaps not as smooth as it could be, but pretty tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 00:15:19 | More by PDXHops

BeerManDan

California

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Medium Dark brown when poured, with very little foam, but, a fair amount of lace on the side of the glass. The smell of roasted malts, caramel, fruit and spices was sort of weak, but after a few more sniff's, you could pick it up. The taste was of roasted malts, bitter/sweet dark caramel and a hint of dark bitter chocolate. On the palate, the 7.2% alcohol wasn't that much a factor. The bitter flavorless taste linger just to much. Overall, it could have been a touch softer.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 23:20:41 | More by BeerManDan

ckeegan04

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark brown with vibrant ruby highlights when held up to light. Solid two finger light brown head with excellent retention. Leaves behind sheets of brown foam as I drink it.

S - Rich, nutty maltiness with an earthy spice to it. A touch of sweet caramel comes through as the beer warms. A faint floral hoppiness deep down in it as well.

T - Roasted nuts and lots of malt up front. An earth spiciness lies underneath. Lots of roasted malt throughout, especially as the beer warms. A touch of tobacco gives it a little edge. Light bitterness in the finish.

M/D - Medium bodied and very easy going. The tastes all play together very well.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 15:38:11 | More by ckeegan04

GreenCard

Oregon

3.78/5  rDev 0%
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