Very Bad Elf
Ridgeway Brewing

 

Poured the color of iced tea; a bit browner than expected and the beige head was short and brief.
The taste is malty with its caramel and bread and a touch of clove, some spice I cannot define and maybe, just maybe, some banana. Which I always find odd but certainly not off putting.
The feel is relatively light; this come in a 500 ml bottle and quaffing it quickly isn't a problem. (That said, I'm letting half of it warm a bit to see if any other flavors come out)
OA, I think this is a good seasonal beer, may need to try the entire series.

 

Pours a hazy amber color with a nice head and lacing
Aroma has fruity and citrus hints
Taste has a fruity and citrus flavor
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A good Imperial Red Ale

 

 

(2023 bottle, 500 ml, purchased single off shelf at Total Wine... poured into an imperial nonic)

L: polished-clear, light amber-colored (not red, not even tawny) liquid; brilliant clarity... foam builds about 2 fingers high on the pour, gradually crumbling into cauliflowered chunks; some streaky lacing

S: earthy, herbal hopping, apple highlights, and a golden bread roll crust which slowly establishes its foundation... all about the hop accents... (extra) special bitter quality, and quite inviting

T: beautifully bitter with toasted caramel and peppery-spicy notes lingering large in the aftertaste... bit of dried apricot slowly emerges... malty and minerally in all the right ways... almost maibock-like??

F: smooth, medium-full bodied, silky viscosity... spicy bite on the back end gives a subtle stinging accent to the finish, lending a little contrast to its rich roundness

O: I would classify this as an ESB or Winter Warmer, as its malt and spice nuances remind me a little of the Samuel Smith variety... surprisingly excellent and a nice fresh bottle, one I'll buy a few more of to give to friends and, of course, enjoy for myself (2240)

 

Unknown bottling date; drank 1/20/22 @ Roadrunner Lodge.

Semi-opaque dull orange/red appearance.

A rough pour yielded a nice khaki head; decent lace.

Tart peach, dry yeast & mild allspice notes in the nose.

Sticky medium mouthfeel.

Tart peach & dry yeast flavors up front; mild allspice notes on the finish.

Bold, possibly old and pretty weird, overall. Interesting, at least!

 

 

 

 

500ml bottle with a Julian date of 247 (9/3/20) poured into a Teku on 1/16/21.

Pours a 1" off-white creamy head. Amber opaque color.

Smells of spices; clove, banana, and some bready notes.

More clove and banana on the taste with a mild bitterness on the finish. Strong malty biscuit flavor.

Light- to medium-bodied mouthfeel. Smooth with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall, a nicely balanced English pale ale with good bitterness alongside spicy aromas and flavors.

 

 

500ml bottle, no easily found bottling date, poured into a 10oz rocks glass.

The beer pours a bright copper color, amber hues with nice clarity of a foamy finger of off white head that has very good retention and minimal spotted lacing. The aroma is fine, lots of bready malts, a hint of earthy hop, little grassy and piney with just a tiny bit of citrus. The flavors are okay, predominantly hearty grains, fusel alcohol, sharp earthy hop bite with a touch of fruit. The mouthfeel is good, coating, lively medium body that feels substantial without too much heft and a dry finish.

Verdict: A decent winter pale ale from Ridgeway. It's quite boozy and doesn't offer much outside of the grain bill as the hop profile is extremely underdeveloped. Perhaps this is an older bottle but there is no sense of oxidization.

 

Pours a rich amber color. Little head and carbonation. Lacing is good. Smells of rich malt and fruit, apple, pear. Taste is malty smooth, a hint of sweet juice then some bitterness on the tongue. Mouthfeel is good. Warmer beer would be smoother. Overall this is terrific during the holidays.