Very Bad Elf
Ridgeway Brewing

Very Bad ElfVery Bad Elf
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From:
Ridgeway Brewing
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
Imperial Red Ale
Ranked #52
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
80
Ranked #26,407
Avg:
3.49 | pDev: 12.89%
Reviews:
186
Ratings:
350
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 14, 2024
Added:
Nov 17, 2004
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  27
"Is it just my imagination," queried old Santa, surveying the scene, "or is my Elf only getting worse and worse every year? What's next? Seriously Bad Elf, I'll wager. Mark my words." This Very Bad Elf is one fine ale - rich, hardy and flavourful, brewed to an original 1795 Thames Valley recipe, with a very special pale amber malt that is rarely used nowadays, and balanced by a modest addition of English Fuggle aroma hops. 'Ere's to your elf!
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Ratings by Fish113d:
Photo of Fish113d
Reviewed by Fish113d from Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Amber in color, this ale left a nice 2 cm head on top of my tulip before dissipating to just a light looking edge layer. However, beautiful cascading from this one as I watch the carbonation come to the surface...pretty light in body by the looks of things.

A bitter floral hops w/ hints of grapefruit or other citrusy fruits (lemons); also a bit of sugar peeks through on the aroma, but not much else to write home and tell mom about.

Taking the first sip, i notice a sour and a bit thin grapefruit smell, backed by the floral hops flavor that reminds me of eating a flower (bitter and sour). A little sugary taste comes through toward the swallow, but I actually also notice that the finish reminds me of drinking a lager...kinda interesting and weird.

Mouthfeel is not too shabby...I get a feel for the 7% alcohol it is offering right away and much of teh carbonation is burned away by it. Carbonation is a bit stingy when I first sip it but then the alcohol takes over and in a way smooths it out a little, leaving a slight alcohol tingle during the swallow. However, another example of a middle-of-the-road hoppy beer that leaves a little to be desired.
Dec 30, 2004
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.91 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts

Jan 14, 2024
Photo of Bouleboubier
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
(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)
Nov 14, 2023
 
Rated: 3.71 by Humanusfermentum from Virginia

Feb 19, 2022
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.54/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
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!
Jan 25, 2022
 
Rated: 3.72 by irishevans from California

Dec 19, 2021
 
Rated: 3.5 by Velivolus1 from Vermont

Dec 18, 2021
 
Rated: 3.91 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 10, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by paulish from New York

Nov 09, 2021
Photo of RedBalloon
Reviewed by RedBalloon from Washington

3.99/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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.
Feb 07, 2021
 
Rated: 3.89 by beerrat from Virginia

Jan 17, 2021
 
Rated: 3.49 by CisPiece88 from Nebraska

Dec 31, 2020
Photo of kevanb
Reviewed by kevanb from Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
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.
Dec 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.04 by KensWorld from Florida

Dec 25, 2020
Photo of Thankin_Hank
Reviewed by Thankin_Hank from Texas

4.1/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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.
Dec 24, 2020
 
Rated: 3.6 by SViterileroux74 from Texas

Dec 21, 2020
 
Rated: 3.44 by Sellen from Connecticut

Jun 23, 2020
 
Rated: 2.1 by Chilmer from Iowa

Mar 15, 2020
 
Rated: 3.43 by DesMoinesMike from Iowa

Feb 24, 2020
 
Rated: 2.68 by jeschaefer from Texas

Jan 18, 2020
Very Bad Elf from Ridgeway Brewing
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 350 ratings