Lump Of Coal
Ridgeway Brewing

500mL bottle stamped best before L27 216 poured into a nonic pint glass at fridge temp 7.5% ABV. The beer pours dark brown bordering on black with minimal light penetration and light brown head. The head recedes to a thin cap and leaves a sticky coat of lacing. The aroma is mild with chocolate and ashy, deeply roasted malt. The taste is bittersweet roasted malt with notes of chocolate & dark fruit followed by a tangy, mildly bitter finish. The feel is thin to medium bodied with just less than average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, a good FES.

Poured from a 16.9 ounce undated bottle into a tulip glass at 53 degrees F.

Appearance- Deep brown, opaque, medium brown frothy head, small amount of tiny visible particulate at the margins, average head retention and lacing.

Aroma- Roasted malt, chocolate, medium strength of scent.

Flavor- Chocolate, roasted malt, molasses, raisin, moderately sweet, between medium and high strength of flavor.

Mouthfeel- Between medium and full, slightly below average carbonation, moderately bitter, moderately sweet, moderately creamy, mildly mouth warming, mildly mouth coating.

Overall- Deep brown and opaque with average head retention and lacing. The nose was simple with only roasted malt and chocolate present, but the strength was medium. The flavor was slightly stronger and much more complex. It had chocolate and roasted malt out front, but molasses and raisin were layered in. The body was between medium and full with moderate bitterness and sweetness. The mouth warming/coating properties were on the mild side. Overall, this beer was much more complex and flavorful than expected from the bouquet with a solid appearance and mouthfeel as well.

The pour is coffee brown that looks almost stout black in the glass. The manilla colored head left sparse lacing.
The taste is very stout like; has the coffee and chocolate and dark fruits and some roasted malts (or excess hops, I can’t tell)
Relatively straight forward and good.
The feel is on the lighter side, just no body at all. Not a negative, just not a positive.
OA, I’d certainly drink another if it was offered, but I don’t think I would buy another.

Pitch black with a little of light coming through brown edges, tan head settles into a collar. Roasted malt, cocoa, dark chocolate, and slight vanilla in nose. Taste is much the same only toasted caramel instead of vanilla. Feel is thinner but plenty roasty and malty

Copenhagen 8/5 2017. 50 cl bottle from Kokkens Vinhus, Peter Bangsvej, Frb. F. Big lump of coal on the label with the tagline "Much more than you deserve for Xmas this year".

Pours very dark opaque brown with bubbly beige head. Settles as thin patchy layer of foam. No lacing.

Aroma is not very intense but pleasant enough. Caramel, chocolate of the bitter variety, roasted malts and cocoa.

Medium strong carbonation and surprisingly thin palate.

Flavor is rather sweet. Followed by a medium bitterness reminiscent of bitter dark chocolate. Aftertaste is sweet toffee.

A very Christmas-like stout. A bit on the sweet side but much nicer than a lump of coal. But what the Hell. It’s Christmas - even for naughty kids.

500ml bottle. Stamp on label looks to be 'L26 131'.
Black colored body, with a red mahogany back lit edge. Very bright, off white colored head, sticks around as a cap and ring. Leaves behind some stretched out lacing webs.
Aroma of roasted malts, dark bread, caramel, and vanilla.
Taste is sweet, with a bit of late char on each sip. Flavors of caramel, dark bread, and vanilla. The char creates some late bitterness. Aftertaste is woody with evident alcohol.
Medium mouthfeel. Smooth texture. Very dry ending. Very good carbonation.
Late char bitterness bite is an attribute that goes perfectly with the beer's name.

 

 

500ml bottle poured into a snulip.

L: Clear dark brown pour, one finger long lived tan head.
S: Subdued bread aroma, stronger alcohol aroma, notes of vanilla.
T: Sharp and dry, more alcohol than roasted malt, woody bitter finish, some sweeter caramel and British Ale Yeast-like ester flavors as it warms.
F: Medium body, med carb, has some bite but is somewhat creamy, warming.
O: Ok, smelling and drinking more along the lines of a strong ale than a stout.

Looks kinda thin for a stout but, on the other hand poured with a nice head. Not a bad brew but somewhat lacking as a stout. More resemblance to a brown ale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours dark chocolate brown with a tan head that leaves minimal lacing. Aroma is dark roasted malt, anise, and burnt chocolate. Flavor follows the nose. Feel is medium bodied with adequate carbonation. Overall, a passable beer, not special.