The pour is deep rich and dark walnut with ruby highlights topped by a beige cap of foam that laces beautifully. A nice beer to look at.

Aromas are somewhat light but not absent. Notes of caramel and hops jostle with firm malt accents and roasted cereal up front and in the middle. Faint traces of holiday fruit cake round out the olfactory experience cleanly.

It is worth mentioning that the carbonation of this beer is not as brash as other Sleeman products and this is a definite plus for this beer. A wide stream of fine bubbles ascends to feed the sticky head. At first one notices a rather complex set of flavours (for Sleeman) through a light to medium bodied and firmly textured minerally brew. A mix of roasted malt and caramel followed by mild fruity flavours open up the tastes and are followed shortly by a satisfying bitter bite of earthy hops.

Easily my favourite product by Sleeman. Nicely drinkable, and interesting to savour while being very accessible to the uninitiated.