Sleeman Beer What sets Sleeman apart is their time-honored commitment to the quality of every beer they produce. At the heart of this philosophy is a respect for our consumer's intelligence, palate and overall experience. It's a difference you'll appreciate.
A premium beer contains quality ingredients, brew master’s skill, and consistency. At Sleeman, they add another: dedication.
With a lineage that extends over five generations you can imagine they take particular pride in their heritage. In fact, when it comes to beer tradition, you can say that grandfather George A. Sleeman wrote the book on it - literally. Sleeman Cream Ale came directly from his recipe book, as have the formulas for several other styles. They may have added a few pages in their time, but in spirit and in flavor, every drop of beer they brew can proudly be traced to the roots of Sleeman family brewing. The Sleeman family has been brewing in Canada since 1834, the year John H. Sleeman, an ambitious young brewer from Cornwall, England arrived in Ontario. In 1851 he started the first Sleeman brewery to be located in Guelph, Ontario, brewing small, 100 barrel batches using local well water prized for its purity and "hardness."
By the turn of the century, the clear glass bottle that would become a Sleeman hallmark was in use, and the popularity of Sleeman products had spread from Ontario to Montreal and Quebec City. By this time, John's grandson George had started a second Guelph brewery. The flagship product of these two breweries was Canada's first cream ale.
Years later, during Prohibition, George's son, George A. Sleeman and his brothers were caught smuggling beer into Detroit. Forced to sell the brewery to pay the taxes on their contraband brew, the original Sleeman Brewing & Malting Company ceased operations in 1933.
In 1988, John Sleeman, great-great grandson of the first Sleeman Brew master, revived the family business, locating its new facility just a few miles from the site of the original Guelph brewery. Pure spring water from Guelph's celebrated deep wells again provided the first ingredient. Rare, small batch brewing vessels, similar in size to those once used by John H. himself, were imported from Europe.
In 1988, Sleeman Cream Ale went on sale in Ontario for the first time in over half a century. Brewed according to the recipe found on page 64 of George Sleeman's personal notebook, and sold in distinctive clear glass bottles reminiscent of those used by earlier Sleeman brewers, the refreshing ale soon earned a loyal following among the growing circle of premium beer fans. Today, Sleeman beer, which also includes Clear, Honey Brown Lager, Amber, Silver Creek Lager, Original Draught, Light and Original Dark, are once more the preferred choice of discerning premium beer drinkers in Canada.
Sleeman products offered at your friendly local Westside Liquor Stores: Sleeman cream ale: The first brand produced by the two Guelph breweries, created by George Sleeman in the late 1800s, and still Sleeman's most recognized brand.
5% alcohol by volume.
Tasting Notes: Remarkably smooth for a full-flavored beer. Their founder's intention was to combine the refreshing taste of a German lager with the distinctive taste of an English Ale without blending the two. Original Draught: This new unpasteurized lager is inspired by the natural freshness and sociability of traditional draught beer. Original Draught is brewed using two-row Canadian barley, their own proprietary Sleeman yeast, and a special hopping process that delivers its distinctive flavor and aroma.
Original Draught combines Sleeman’s premium brewing heritage with the highly refreshing taste of traditional draught beer – perfect for sharing with friends. 5% alcohol by volume. Tasting notes: Original Draught is a well-balanced, easy to drink lager, with a distinctive hop aroma and a highly refreshing finish. Honey Brown: Brewed in the tradition of cottage breweries at the turn of the century. It is a refreshingly smooth, full-bodied lager.
5.2% alcohol by volume.
Tasting Notes: A refreshingly smooth, full-bodied lager, with a subtle touch of all natural honey which creates a slightly sweet finish. Silver Creek: A traditional pilsner style lager, fire brewed in their copper kettles. 5% alcohol by volume. Tasting Notes: A rich, well-balanced pilsner style lager. Its extra body gives it extra smoothness with a pleasant finish. Clear: The first low-carbohydrate beer in Canada with only 2.5 g of carbohydrates and 90 calories.
4% alcohol by volume
Tasting Notes: An easy-drinking lager with a clean refreshing finish with no aftertaste.
Original Dark: Ruby red in color, this all malt ale is brewed from a combination of roasted barley malts and English aroma hops.
5.5% alcohol by volume. Tasting Notes: Brewed from specialty barley malts, English aroma hops and deep well water. Smooth in taste. The hopping is generous but not bitter and has a unique flavor that has become a trademark for Sleeman. With all of these great facts and a little background on the Sleeman Brewery, you should definitely stop into your local Westside liquor discount superstore and find yourself a new favorite today. You never know what may be lying out there for you to discover unless you take a chance!! |
