Very Bad Elf - Ridgeway Brewing

Guinness4me

Florida

3.65/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

To start the Xmas season, hubby and I loaded up on various Xmas beers and started the tasting on Turkey Day. It's a lot more fun than untangling the Xmas lights.

My favorite part of this beer is the label...a VERY bad elf holding a pair of scissors ominously behind his back. What an evil glimmer in his eye! He makes the original Bad Elf look like a Boy Scout.

The beer was respectable but not exactly spectacular. It poured a golden amber with minimal head. The aroma was Beer 101, with sweet hoppiness and malt which was reflected in the flavor as well. The alcohol was more evident than some even higher alcohol brews I've tasted. I'm anxious for it to warm a bit as I have a feeling it will get better.

It's a new Xmas tradition.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2004 00:44:19 | More by Guinness4me

stella77artois

New York

3.75/5  rDev +6.8%

05-22-2013 14:53:52 | More by stella77artois

artoolemomo

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%

03-31-2013 23:23:54 | More by artoolemomo

BGsWo22

New York

2/5  rDev -43%

03-20-2013 22:32:37 | More by BGsWo22

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

03-10-2013 20:36:39 | More by spycow

beertunes

Washington

3.74/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Thanks to OKComputer for this one. Poured into flute. Poured a lightly hazy honey-gold color, with just a thin cap of white head that almost immediately dissipated into a thin ring.

The aroma was mostly sweet malts, with just a bit of gentle, earthy hops in the background. The flavors mostly featured the same components, but the hops were a bit spicier towards the end of the tongue.

The body was full and even, and not quite full. Drinkability was very good, I could easily drain a couple bottles of this. Overall, a very good beer, certainly worth grabbingif you see it, perhaps even a bit of effort to find.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 23:16:57 | More by beertunes

rand

California

4.05/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From 500mL bottle to nonic pint glass

The brew reveals a medium complexion on the pour, copper-tan in color and forms a tiny, wispy head that never fully recedes. A malty, bready bouquet is quite easily detected, followed by touches of of honey-sweetness and a citrus snap. Earthy, tea-like scents are noted. The flavors are malt-forward as well, but just barely, as tones of floral and earthy hops quickly balance the profile. A little boozier than expected, the warming alcohol works to accent the ripe fruit notes detected toward the end of the sip. Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the brew finishes quickly with lingering bitterness.

Very Bad Elf is actually Very Easy to Drink. Subtle layers of citrus and toffee sweetness without the chalkiness you might expect from an English pale. Quite balanced and smooth, but I noticed the tightly wrapped layers loosen up a bit as the beer warms. Drink cold.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 08:08:50 | More by rand

TheSixthRing

California

3.83/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance - Pours a clear, golden orange with a white, finger width head. Average retention. Leaves behind spotty lacing with fair stick.

Smell - Aroma hits on strong toffee and lesser notes of caramel, with some fruity esters, red apple and slight citrus, lingering off in the distance.

Taste - Follows the nose. Malts are upfront, ranging from bread to sweet toffee and caramel character. Hops come through near the finish, delivering a grassy and slightly citric bite with modest bitterness. Moderate apple note in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with fair carbonation. Tingles more down the esophagus than it does on the tongue. Smooth, with a touch of buttery creaminess.

Overall - Classic English pale. Solid all-around. It's not worth the high asking price ($7-8 for approx. 17 ounces) considering it is, at best, a very good but not remarkable EPA. I got it at closeout for $2.99 though, so I can't be too miffed.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 04:51:51 | More by TheSixthRing

FLBeerGuy

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

01-13-2013 14:49:20 | More by FLBeerGuy

dmorgan310

Panama

4/5  rDev +14%

01-07-2013 05:52:03 | More by dmorgan310

prisoner1572

Illinois

3/5  rDev -14.5%

12-29-2012 18:35:21 | More by prisoner1572

NickThePyro

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%

12-28-2012 02:15:52 | More by NickThePyro

cliff1066

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

12-28-2012 01:27:16 | More by cliff1066

JakeDebus

Maryland

3/5  rDev -14.5%

12-26-2012 21:02:19 | More by JakeDebus

olafphysics

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%

12-25-2012 23:37:12 | More by olafphysics

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

12-17-2012 15:59:23 | More by stereosforgeeks

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

12-17-2012 03:26:21 | More by t0rin0

mattyrubes

New York

3/5  rDev -14.5%

12-15-2012 13:23:14 | More by mattyrubes

kew

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

12-15-2012 01:32:07 | More by kew

RobinLee

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +14%

12-11-2012 23:41:35 | More by RobinLee

schoolboy

Ohio

4/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We split one of these three ways over Thanksgiving. it looks like ginger ale with bubbles on the bottom.

It has a unique skunky aroma. It's bitter but not too dark.

It had a fresh taste and was very drinkable. We will be sampling several other elves soon including A well aged barleywine. Based on this I really look forward to that treat.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:16:43 | More by schoolboy

morfius85

4/5  rDev +14%

12-09-2012 14:00:27 | More by morfius85

cdwil

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%

12-08-2012 21:19:00 | More by cdwil

kaufmaal

Alabama

3.73/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Honey amber color, some bready, yeasty aromas. The initial taste was sweetened grapefruit, then a bit of fruity anise. Perhaps a bit too sweet for an English IPA as it approached a dubbel-like quality. It didn't warm well - the flavors became muddled. Still, a good tasting beer at a decent price.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 20:01:59 | More by kaufmaal

maryd837

Ohio

3/5  rDev -14.5%

11-29-2012 12:29:18 | More by maryd837