This cache is placed for SCAR2025 and should not be found or logged prior to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025.
For most of the 20th century, Canadian brewing was dominated by the two giants – Molson’s and Labatt’s, with Carling O’Keefe providing some minor competition. They all tended to brew similar varieties of largely uninspiring lagers and ales and some small regional and craft breweries provided some alternatives. One of these craft breweries was Sleeman Brewing Company, started in Guelph, Ontario in 1851 by John H. Sleeman who had emigrated from Cornwall, England. It had a bit of a shady history and ended losing it’s license due to smuggling and tax evasion for 50 years, in 1933. John W. Sleeman reestablished the brewery in the 1980’s using the original company recipes. Sleeman Cream Ale was launched in 1988 and soon became a favorite of beer aficionados and pub goers for its rich colour and liberal use of hops. Sleeman acquired a number of regional breweries including Okanagan Spring Brewery, Upper Canada Brewing, Shaftebury Brewing Company, Maritime Brewing Company and Wild Rose Brewery. It also purchased rights to brew and distribute Stroh’s brands as well as Dutch Grolsch and has become the third largest brewery in Canada. It has since been purchased by Japanese brewing giant Sapporo.