Maclay's Traditional Pale Ale - Sleeman Breweries Ltd.

ThinkAgain

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev +20.5%

01-06-2012 16:19:30 | More by ThinkAgain

timiskin

Ontario (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -9.6%

04-23-2013 20:09:50 | More by timiskin

CurtisD

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -9.6%

02-19-2013 02:09:06 | More by CurtisD

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev +0.4%

01-18-2013 12:43:50 | More by tbeckett

sbarre

Ontario (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -9.6%

12-29-2012 17:59:07 | More by sbarre

Ivanhoes_Backpack

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev +10.4%

03-29-2012 23:42:37 | More by Ivanhoes_Backpack

oldp0rt

Quebec (Canada)

1/5  rDev -59.8%

02-10-2012 20:14:13 | More by oldp0rt

kelvarnsen

Ontario (Canada)

2/5  rDev -19.7%

11-30-2011 21:17:41 | More by kelvarnsen

bigox420

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev +20.5%

11-28-2011 06:13:56 | More by bigox420

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

2.38/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

473ml Can

Appearance - Clear yellow colour with a small size fizzy white head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing. There is some faint lacing on the sides of the glass. The head lasted for only a few minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Bread/grains, corn syrup, malts, apples

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation and I can taste corn syrup, breads/grains and just a hint of malt. There is also an odd vegetable like taste to it. It ends with a grainy aftertaste with a bit of a spiciness.

Overall - There are much better options in the cheap beer category. This one had an odd taste to it that i couldn't put my finger on. I wouldn't buy this one again.

Serving type: can

11-02-2011 13:35:15 | More by spinrsx

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

2.48/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Tallboy can from the LCBO. Had it before, but not in a few years.

Pours a familiar golden-straw colour, with slightly more than a finger of pearl-white, fizzy head that is mostly gone within a few minutes. It's pale alright, but looks more like a lager to me. The aroma is grainy, with definite adjunct tones and some grassy hops.

Other than the fact that it is very mild, it has very little in common with legitimate EPAs. Grainy malts, with some corny/rice sweetness. Light apple juice fruitiness. Some weak, grassy hop notes toward the end. Clean finish without much aftertaste. Very watery and light-bodied, standard macro levels of carbonation but plenty drinkable.

When I was attending university (in Guelph, where Sleeman brands are popular - perhaps with logical reason because they always seem fresher there), I lived in a house with three friends and each of us would take turns buying 24s that we consumed collectively. Each of us had our favourite brands, and by the end of the semester, one side of the dining room was filled to the ceiling with cases of James Ready, Sleeman Honey Brown, Moosehead, and of course Maclays. We hauled the wall of bottles in and traded the deposit money for a couple more 24s of the same brands... and some Fosters, because we wanted to try something more exotic, I guess?

Maclays might technically be an ale, but they really shouldn't advertise it without putting an asterisk beside the word. For a buck-a-beer, it's reasonably good value though and if I were comparing this to other macros I'd have to give it at least a C+. If you are looking for comparables, think Lakeport.

Serving type: can

11-02-2011 05:24:39 | More by thehyperduck

eat

Quebec (Canada)

2/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pale as piss after drinking a couple litres of water and about the same colour too. Lots of visible carbonation, though it doesn't produce any head to speak of. The one finger of airy white head disappears in all of three seconds.

Smells astringent and mostly of dough. Some hop-like scent is present, though I can't be certain it is actually hops.

Taste is of faint apple juice, grainy adjuncts and a dull bitterness. Moderately drying finish with lingering grain.

Body is as light as the colour. Carbonation reminds me of Pepsi.

This is really below average stuff here. Usually these cheap beers at least have decent drinkability. If you're looking for cheap macro beer, Labatt 50 kicks Maclays ass. Even Canadian or Blue might be better than this foul sh*t. They're trying to pass this off as a pale ale??? I can barely consider this beer. 2's across the board, pretty much sums up my thoughts on this beer: not impressed. What more can you expect from Sleeman?

Serving type: can

02-20-2011 19:45:14 | More by eat

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

2.05/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I saw this at the LCBO in Ontario and I didn't know what it was. The can seems to imply this if from Scotland, but upon looking closer it is from Sleeman. Pours a clear straw yellow colour with thick white head. Easily the lightest colour for an English pale ale I've ever seen. Smells metallic with some grainy malt. I don't really think this is a pale ale. No real bitterness, some metallic tinge in the aftertaste. Very high carbonation, way too much for the style and even too much to be enjoyable not thinking about the style. I won't buy this again.

Serving type: can

01-21-2011 00:58:39 | More by kwjd

BBP

Ontario (Canada)

2.42/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Very clear light gold. Minimal head.

S- Industrial tin smell. Almost an artificial malt aroma.

T- Smooth and malty, however the malt taste tasted so far from natural, almost as if they used some Five minute malt mix. Uninspirational hops as well. More on the sweet side.

M- Good and smooth, but dry afterfeel.

D- Went down easily. Could down a few in no time. If I had a low low budget, I'd drink more of it.

Serving type: can

08-27-2010 00:34:55 | More by BBP

ecoastman

Ontario (Canada)

2.93/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Drinkability - very easy to drink but I wouldn't go back for another if there was something else new to try. A good lawn mower beer that's better than an average macro (but then again I guess these guys are a macro...).

I must say that I'm not impressed with what appears to be false advertising. Sleeman needs to explain themselves...did they buy a Scotish company? Or did they all get combined when Sleeman was bought out? Screw it - I won't be buying this again anyway. I'm going to penalize them for "appearance"...just out of spite.

Appearance - crystal clear amber yellow with good carbonation to provide a decent head. No lacing.

Smell - very mild buttery malt but with corn nuts. Now I'm hungry. Corn nuts are good - just not in my beer.

Taste - nothing remarkable but nothing offensive. Some graininess. This is going to get a high drinkability score but there's nothing exciting here.

Mouthfeel - Light, watery and smooth to start. Some courseness in the finish due to the higher carbonation.

Serving type: can

10-01-2009 01:04:08 | More by ecoastman

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

2.95/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I admit that I didn't exactly pay that much attention when buying this can - the Scottish insignia and overall design reeled me in.

This beer pours a clear pale golden colour, with a few fingers of thin soapy white head. It smells of white grain, and skunky hops. The taste is white grain, a bit of sweet corn, a kind of almost bitter marzipan, and grassy, slightly skunky hops. The bubbles are a bit too much, and interfere with taste perception at first. The body is decently weighted, with a small amount of creaminess. It finishes dry, and clammy, but no skunky aftertaste.

Not a bad brew, definitely on par with the typical Sleeman offerings. But how is this not false advertising? Does the 'Thistle Brewery' actually exist, and was it established in 1830 in Scotland? What a load of advertising crap.

Serving type: can

09-11-2009 22:26:18 | More by biboergosum

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Appearance - Brown bottle with a nice blue and silver label. Comments on thistle brewery and Sleeman brewing. I suspect this to make the beer seem more Scottish. Crystal clear pale gold color with few signs of carbonation. Maybe one finger of head that did not sustain whatsoever and I see white particles in the beer. Not a good start.

Smell - Corn is by far the most dominant smell here, I am catching some wheat and hops in the background though. Pretty plain and standard stuff. All in all could use some more character but not bad, it's just generic.

Taste - Starts off a bit watery, but then turns to a nice corn and wheat flavor with a slight touch of hops at the end. Not much is really going on here though, it's pretty generic in taste. This beer was clearly designed to be hammered back. It is worth noting, the beer doesn't taste chemical laden as with many cheap beers of this nature.

Mouthfeel - Despite of weak head and no signs of it, the carbonation is quite good. Aftertaste is there and lingers a bit but it is subdued. However, I seem to get some film feeling at the back of my tongue after a while. That and I would have liked a little bit of head.

Drinkability - My dad loves this stuff and I see why. I could drink this stuff all night or on a hot and sunny day. It's cool, refreshing and goes down easy and as a "buck a beer" it deserves something of a free pass in this department. Light on the stomach too.

Final Thoughts - All in all, probably one of the best "buck a beers" out there. It's clearly a buck a beer for a reason, as nothing about this beer is going to knock your socks off. However it's surprisingly drinkable, surprisingly cheap and if you are on a budget a welcome alternative to Laker, Lakeport or Lucky. I don't usually buy buck a beers anymore, and the generic and often chemical taste stops me from coming back, but I would recommend it to anyone whose on a budget.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2009 02:55:24 | More by TheHammer

DoctorStrangiato

Alberta (Canada)

2.1/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured a 473-ml can into a pint glass.

Appearance - poured a faint yellow colour. Not much character.

Smell - some clean malt, but very little. Very sparse aromas.

Taste - clean, but watery. Soda-like flavour. In fact there are Non-Alc brews that have as much flavour.

Mouthfeel - good balance, pretty smooth. The fact is it is bland, so it basically flows into the mouth without any value added.

Drinkability - a beer like this shouldn't make the claim that it's a Scottish Pale Ale. More or less, it's a waste of time to consume this.

Serving type: can

02-20-2009 01:52:41 | More by DoctorStrangiato

steeler

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +62.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Ah Maclays, another up and coming buck a beer in Ontario. When I tried this I really did have low expectations for it, every buck a beer "ale" I've tried really has been bad. (aka Lakeport Ale) Pours out a pale yellow color, very little head. Run of the mill macro color. Smells like stock beer, no off smells, surprisingly. (I know i use that term a lot, but to me macros all basically smell very similar, so I use this broad term) Maclays has a nice smooth taste, decent hop bitterness, crisp finish. Leaves you wanting more, very enjoyable. Has nice light, smooth mouthfeel. When cold this beer is great, goes well with a nice dinner, and won't fill you up, just don't let it get to room temp, then it can be a chore to drink. I highly recommend this beer, and I hope it eventually gets into the "big 10" at the beer store. HIGHLY recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2008 22:26:00 | More by steeler

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

355 ml silver can. In small letters on the front, the "Thistle Brewery", but the side label says Sleeman Brewing, Dartmouth.
Pours a pale, clear straw color, a small white head that quickly shrinks to a thin cap, then disappears altogether.
The aroma is faint corn and grain, not really 'pale ale'. Should have known better than to expect a 'Traditional Pale Ale' as per the label. Lacks flavor, just another macro lager taste. Pretty disappointing, for the style.

Serving type: can

06-09-2008 18:02:54 | More by BigBry

GodOfBeer

Ontario (Canada)

1.9/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Very popular buck a beer, but how can this be called a Pale Ale? But woe to thee, do not be deceived by this "Scottish" beer because there is nothing Scottish about it. It tastes more like a cheap macro lager, mostly corn and adjuncts, nothing good about this beer at all except to maybe to get hammered with, but that's why there is Pabst!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2008 18:30:55 | More by GodOfBeer

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

2.1/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I almost had this pegged for a Sleeman product before I even checked the label for the fine print.

Pours out a very pale clear straw when held to the light, a small dash of white head that settles quickly to a thin cap.

The aroma reminds me of a faint macro lager, some corn and grain, yet not really offensive in the end either, pretty plain.

Well then, this stuff actually *did* taste better straight out of the can/bottle. Exposed to the elements it is very bland, to the point where I'm not really registering anything besides a hint of grain and the texture from the carbonation. It doesn't taste "bad", it simply just lacks flavour. Heck, re-label it a lager and market it against Coors Lite, it'll do well!

Serving type: can

02-16-2008 19:05:28 | More by IronDjinn

dirtyoldtown53

Ontario (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very pale in colour, nothing special to note in the smell. The taste I would say is more like an above average macro lager, it lacks ale characteristics. Feels alright in the mouth. Overall, it is much more drinkable than most macro lagers. Aside from the claim of "Pale Ale" I would say that if you're on a budget and you want something that goes down easy. go for it.

Serving type: can

01-03-2008 21:50:19 | More by dirtyoldtown53

Shadman

Alberta (Canada)

1.78/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

reviewing this as an r\english pale ale even though I tried it at Calgary beer fest and it belongs more in the Macro lager dept. AS a macro it would score somewhat higher.

Small head that receeded like a snowball in Acapulco. No ring, cap, lacing after that. Pootz summed it up best. Looks like flat beer. Aroma is mostly musty grain and cooked veggies. Honestly, and it's been said in other reviews, this is very similar to Keith's, which imo is not a great thing. Some bland weak malt and some drying hop that refuses to leave the surface of my tongue. Carbontaion is decent, considered it looked flat, but generally this is a poor, watery imitation of an EPA. Keith's ad's and market share must have other brewer's running scared. WHY?

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 23:09:54 | More by Shadman

atomicbolt

Ontario (Canada)

2.08/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Picked up a 12-pack from the Beer Store (hey - I'm a university student on a budget, I can't always go for the nice stuff.) Nondescript brown bottle, but when you're trying to sell your beer for cheap there's no room for fanciness. Originally a maritime beer from what I can tell, based on an old Scottish recipe according to the marketing, but there's little Scottish about it now that it's made by Sleeman.

Fizzy, pale yellow, not much head. Nothing too memorable about the smell, musty corn, not that I was expecting a bouquet of roses or anything. The taste's not awful, what you'd expect from a cheap pale ale, comparable to something like Molson Export but with a bit of a fuller malty taste. Goes down pretty clean, a bit of an aftertaste.

Compared to other big-name Canadian pale ales (Keiths) I actually prefer this, there's none of that nasty mouthfeel and plus it's a ton cheaper. Pick this up if money's tight, it's a decent beer overall but a good beer given the price.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2007 21:23:02 | More by atomicbolt