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Seriously Bad Elf
Ridgeway Brewing
![Seriously Bad Elf](https://cdn.beeradvocate.com/im/beers/26887.jpg)
![Seriously Bad Elf](https://cdn.beeradvocate.com/im/c_beer_image.gif)
- From:
- Ridgeway Brewing
- England, United Kingdom
- Style:
- English Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 77
- Avg:
- 3.37 | pDev: 16.62%
- Reviews:
- 138
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 29, 2021
- Added:
- Nov 11, 2005
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 17
"I suppose I should have seen it coming this time," groaned old Claus. "Holiday ornaments mysteriously disappearing, reindeer falling from the sky inexplicably and then of course, I discovered that tiny hands have been prying into that cask of wonderful new Double Ale I've got stashed down in the cellar. That's when I called in a specialist from the Elf department. He just confirmed what I already suspected. We've got a rather serious Elf problem here at the pole."
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by obrendano:
Reviewed by obrendano from Maryland
3.25/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.25/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
mostly drank this out of a cup, but finally found a good clean glass to view in
A - beer pours a cidery gold with champagne bubbliness. head is good at first, but I think is hindered by the alcohol. not exactly what I look for in a "strong ale"
S - fruity esthers, very slight, thin malt, and a faint scent of the alcohol. a musty wine note also comes through
T - big on esther notes, grapes mostly, rough booze taste and pale malt dominate afterwards
M - a little odd and sticky in a bad way
D - to me, this is a lot like drinking a very alcoholic ale version of most big time industrial lager brews. before you put it up to your nose to smell it, the lingering odor in the air is of generic "beer". this is not a horrible beer, though, and is great as the kickoff to a good session, but other than that and getting knocked onto your ass, that may be all it's good for.
Jun 22, 2011A - beer pours a cidery gold with champagne bubbliness. head is good at first, but I think is hindered by the alcohol. not exactly what I look for in a "strong ale"
S - fruity esthers, very slight, thin malt, and a faint scent of the alcohol. a musty wine note also comes through
T - big on esther notes, grapes mostly, rough booze taste and pale malt dominate afterwards
M - a little odd and sticky in a bad way
D - to me, this is a lot like drinking a very alcoholic ale version of most big time industrial lager brews. before you put it up to your nose to smell it, the lingering odor in the air is of generic "beer". this is not a horrible beer, though, and is great as the kickoff to a good session, but other than that and getting knocked onto your ass, that may be all it's good for.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana
3.52/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
500mL bottle stamped L21 254 poured into a snifter at 51° Fahrenheit 9% ABV. The beer pours opaque honey amber in color with off white head. The head recedes to a thin ring and and peninsula. No lacing. The aroma is mild with wheat & barley malt plus a hint of orchard fruit. The taste is semisweet caramel and light fruitiness with notes of oxidation. Moderate bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with just less than medium carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Minimal alcohol presence. Overall, ok.
Nov 29, 2021Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England
3.6/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
L- Mid/dark amber, clear, pours with 2-3mm white cap.
S- Quite fruity.
T- Much more fruitiness, fermented fruit... notable ABV% but mostly fruits, a little over-sweet?
F- Easy drinking, too easy? No disregard, it's quiet lovely
O- Nice. Esp suits winter, No screaming reason to be unique or maybe £max to buy again. Very good though.
330ml bottle. Bought from TremblingMadness/York, mixed-case, home delivery etc
Nov 25, 2020S- Quite fruity.
T- Much more fruitiness, fermented fruit... notable ABV% but mostly fruits, a little over-sweet?
F- Easy drinking, too easy? No disregard, it's quiet lovely
O- Nice. Esp suits winter, No screaming reason to be unique or maybe £max to buy again. Very good though.
330ml bottle. Bought from TremblingMadness/York, mixed-case, home delivery etc
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri
3.49/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.49/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This brew is a caramel colored, mostly still brew. Not much of a head at all on this one. The aroma is a little malty, with a pungent herbal hop scent backing it. The taste is warm with alcohol and bitter. It is full and forceful, with lots of boozy heat...but it lacks depth and complexity. Just okay.
Dec 23, 2018Reviewed by justme from Massachusetts
4.01/5 rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.01/5 rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A very nice holiday beer. Pours a golden carmel color. A bit boozie but pretty decent. Spicy and malty. Will not be liked by IPA folks. But I’m not. Enjoyed it Sutherland family.
Nov 24, 2018Reviewed by DrMullet from Florida
2.94/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.94/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a clear medium yellow with minimal head and thin lacing.
Smell is sweet, grape and a bit of apple.
Taste is very sweet malt, boozy and some apple.
Too syrupy sweet for me.
Apr 08, 2018Smell is sweet, grape and a bit of apple.
Taste is very sweet malt, boozy and some apple.
Too syrupy sweet for me.
Rated by tfsimpkins from Florida
1.14/5 rDev -66.2%
look: 1.25 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.25
1.14/5 rDev -66.2%
look: 1.25 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.25
Definitely infected. But still decent along the lines of drinkability. Funky english strong. Check your bottling lines.
Jan 08, 2018Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa
3.86/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from 50 cl bottle into a glass tumbler. Bottle date unknown, but sample was over two years old at the time of sampling. Clear, light caramel color, with a decent off-white head that left lots of sticky lacing. The beer was allowed to warm to cellar temperature prior to sampling. Aroma is malt forward, with dark caramel, dried fruit, and dark bread. There is a grassy / floral / herbal character in the background. Dark toffee dominates the flavor profile, with some tart fruit on the finish and surprisingly little alcohol warmth. Very low bitterness. Would make an excellent pairing with cheeses and charcuterie, especially this "aged" version.
Jan 03, 2018Reviewed by Retroman40 from Florida
3.03/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.03/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Pours a pale yellow with minimal foam that quickly vanishes. The smell is malt with a hint of sweetness. That sweetness is evident in the taste; I even noted a slight bit of spice which I can't get my taste buds around. Very clean/smooth mouthfeel. I need to add that there is literally no indication that this is a 9% ABV beer even as the beer warms to room temperature (I started cool and let in warm). Overall I just can't find anything special enough about this beer to recommend it at 6.99 US for a 50cl (16.9 ounce) bottle. Sure the art work is super cool but I can't taste that label!
Nov 21, 2017
Seriously Bad Elf from Ridgeway Brewing
Beer rating:
77 out of
100 with
218 ratings
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