Bad Elf - Ridgeway Brewing

kaufmaal

Alabama

3.4/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A new find at World Market, this one and two other beers from this brewery. As the season is Winter, I thought that I would try this one first.

Ah, but it doesn't taste like a winter ale, or really look like one. That said, it is a fairly dry IPA with some bitter orange flavors and alfalfa. Golden orange color, a nice big head that fizzled away but left some nice lacing. I might just drink another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 03:45:50 | More by kaufmaal

jkball01

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

05-13-2013 15:58:44 | More by jkball01

cjnuxoll

California

3/5  rDev -16.4%

04-13-2013 01:28:03 | More by cjnuxoll

BGsWo22

New York

2/5  rDev -44.3%

03-20-2013 22:31:58 | More by BGsWo22

Peg2009

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +25.3%

03-17-2013 00:55:01 | More by Peg2009

Hockey_Fan

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

03-10-2013 23:29:32 | More by Hockey_Fan

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

03-10-2013 20:42:07 | More by spycow

CaptainNomihodai

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.5%

03-03-2013 04:08:03 | More by CaptainNomihodai

Wiedemann

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +11.4%

02-26-2013 17:08:06 | More by Wiedemann

JL1

North Dakota

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%

02-18-2013 19:07:08 | More by JL1

BamfBacon

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

02-17-2013 19:21:22 | More by BamfBacon

DmanGTR

New York

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

02-05-2013 19:08:08 | More by DmanGTR

InfernoBoss

California

2.75/5  rDev -23.4%

01-27-2013 09:32:16 | More by InfernoBoss

TheSixthRing

California

3.51/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a hazy, golden orange with a white, finger width head. Average retention. Lacing is spotty, with little stick.

Smell - Fruity and yeasty. Hints at lemon and apricot. Very faint caramel aroma sits well beneath.

Taste - Follows the nose. Fruity esters upfront and throughout. Light apricot and moderate, but mild lemon hop character. Caramel is present, but is well shadowed by the predominant mild lemon flavor. Finishes with a touch of lemon rind bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium in body, with soft carbonation. Smooth on the swallow, with a clean, dry finish.

Overall - A decent English IPA. Mild, smooth and drinkable, though nothing that really stands out. Reminds me a bit of Deschutes Chasin' Freshies, though not quite as complex, nor as assertive.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 05:24:50 | More by TheSixthRing

westcoastbeerlvr

California

2.5/5  rDev -30.4%

01-09-2013 22:28:34 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

lookrider

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%

01-09-2013 18:07:55 | More by lookrider

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.45/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Feb 2014. ABV stated as 4.5%. Despite being a Christmas brew, I actully picked this up during the Sainbury's Beer Hunt back in September. Some bad punning on the label - should come with an 'elf warning....

Poured into a tulip pint glass. Bottle conditioned. A hazy amber colour with visible sediment and low carbonation. Forms a small head of white foam that disappears within a minute or so. Aroma of light caramel malt with notes of lemony citrus, grass/hay, earthy yeast, stewed hops and faint grain. Quite dry.

Tastes of light caramel malt with a hoppy character and a dry, bitter finish. Notes of citrus, grass/hay, earthy yeast, grain and stewed hops. Dry and slightly spicy. A restrained bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with decent body. Wouldn't hurt to be slightly more effervescent. Somewhat astringent, with an aftertaste of grassy hops, yeast and a twinge of citrus.

This is actually a pretty good beer, and certainly drinkable. Nice hop presence and good balance. But who the hell brews a hoppy pale ale as a Christmas brew?! It just doesn't seem right - there's nothing linking it to the season other than the branding. I've marked it down slightly as a result; would probably be better in summer. Worth trying, but if you're expecting warmth or spices then you'll be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 23:39:21 | More by jazzyjeff13

brewtus

Ohio

1.48/5  rDev -58.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

Poured copper with white head... forget it,I'm going to cut right to the chase, this is clearly a novelty beer and it was disgusting. Granted winter ales aren't my favorite, but this wasn't a winter ale, as the label claims. It tastes cheap and hits you like a cheap shot of liquor. It's a great Christmas gift but a terrible drink. Grab a anchor, bells, or Great Lakes Christmas instead.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 17:10:05 | More by brewtus

brewdude1982

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%

12-28-2012 23:00:20 | More by brewdude1982

NickThePyro

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

12-28-2012 02:14:45 | More by NickThePyro

cliff1066

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

12-28-2012 01:27:43 | More by cliff1066

IvoryFoxhole

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -2.5%

12-27-2012 23:14:50 | More by IvoryFoxhole

JakeDebus

Maryland

3/5  rDev -16.4%

12-26-2012 21:01:15 | More by JakeDebus

MaddDogg84

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +25.3%

12-26-2012 03:06:45 | More by MaddDogg84

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Yeah, I really didn't dig this beer at all. it has style issues: looks like a blonde, smells like a sour and dinks like a pils. Go figure.
Pours golden in color with a fizzy white head with no carbonation.
Aroma was funky and skunky some malts and tart.
Taste seems like a pils in that it was dry and sharp.
Bought a couple of these down at the craft beer outlet and I'm a bit disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 13:31:52 | More by micromaniac129