Though dank olfactory mustiness, astringent alcohol acridity, and wafting prune pungency hinder blue collar consumption, bolder thirsts may find solace sorting through dizzying expressive complexities. Taut roasted hop concentration affects carbolic overflow, allowing fleshy head to surge prodigiously above brown-hued ruby-highlighted body of chewy Bohemian-styled bock. Durable molasses-thickened raisin-fig souring picks up plush burgundy-sherry illusions emanating from oaken red grape-cherry esters and leathery peat snatch. Flirtatious chicory segue imbues dried apricot midst haunting tobacco-stained woody grove as tertiary powdered cocoa acridity, smoked nut remnant, and scant pumpernickel trace counter residual brown sugar salvo.
SLY FOX ICHOR ABBEY STYLE QUADRUPLE
Meritorious bottle conditioned ruby-hued Belgian-styled quad brings strong prune nosing to thick dark rum-like sugar-caned maple-molasses sweetness, variable raisin-fig linger, chocolate liqueur simmer and earthen peat-tobacco remnant. Sticky licorice-candied malts rise against impending cherry-banana slumber, supple red grape tang and lemony raspberry tartness at plush sherry-port midst, further strengthening distinctive slow sipper. ’08 version brought burgundy, Merlot, and Chardonnay illusions and cherry puree whim to mellowed finish. Serve with hearty meal such as beef stew.
SLY FOX GANG AFT AGLEY WEE HEAVY ALE
Creamy chestnut-hued medium-bodied Scottish wee heavy brings whiskey-smoked caramel malts to sharp cola-hazelnut-walnut roasting and seductive black cherry-prune scamper. Toasted grains flatten out dried fruiting as sarsaparilla-like maple-birch sugaring rises.
SLY FOX CHRISTMAS 2007 ALE
Uncertain herbal-toned winter warmer boasts undeniable ginger frontage sweetened by sticky black licorice tongue, peppermint candied coolness, and teasing eucalyptus minting. After few swallows, sassafras-root beer component builds, but ruinous salty seaweed astringency outpaces advertised nutmeg-clove spicing.
SLY FOX CHRISTMAS 2005 ALE
Exquisite bottle conditioned seasonal brings ripened autumnal pumpkin-spiced nose and fruitcake tongue to oncoming wintry gingerbread-nutmeg-allspice combo. Cinnamon bun illusion coddles fig-raisin-chestnut recess below ever-increasing sweet malt frame. A bit sweeter than Samuel Smith’s Winter Ale.
SLO GARDEN ALLEY AMBER ALE
Creamy amber-clouded medium body comes across as a less filling, watered down Watney’s Red Barrel. In need of better cereal grain assertion and bitterer hops to strengthen resolve.
SLO EXTRA PALE ALE
Penetrating pale ale with engaging bitter grain intensity and dry hop finish. Soothing water consistency and polite wheat backdrop keep this soft.
SLO COLE PORTER
Named after fabulous Jazz musician, hoppy porter offers stylistic change of pace. Instead of leading with chocolate or coffee expectancy, heavy-headed, pekoe tea-hued competitor relies on bittersweet grain subtleties, toasted malt thickness, and fruity notes. Yet it’s as rich and assertive as most challengers.
SLO BLUBERRY ALE
Initial blueberry distinction edged out by sharp grain presence until strong lingering alcohol-fueled finish. As fruit-flavored ale, just o.k.
SLO AMBER ALE
Brewed in ‘San Luis Obisco tradition of fine California microbrews,’ worthy reddish copper pale body places sweet barley-wheat conflux above dry roasted rye malting and faint cherry nicety. Clean mineral finish preserves slight floral spicing and toasted almond tingle.
SLEEMAN STEAM BEER
Slim barley roast, soft Scotch smokiness and fluffily foamed creaming caress delicate tangerine tang for simple middle of the road amber lacking distinction. Word has it Sapporo Brewery now makes these.
SLEEMAN SILVER CREEK LAGER
Bland straw-cleared cumulous-headed dry lager with polite rye malt palate, thin resinous hop bitterness, minor floral stint, and moderate creaminess gets cloy despite pungently skunked waft. Misleading 5% alcohol volume vaporized by metallic watering that wouldn’t scare away novices. Once again, Sleeman finishes below Molson in yet another style category.