Lump Of Coal - Ridgeway Brewing

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Spicey stout and I like the style. Pours dark with amber highlights. Burnt aroma, lacey. Oh and some bittersweet chocolate. There is a spot of smoke in here and the spiciness, though the coffee throws me a bit off. Decent drinkable.Fine British beer and beat my expectations.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 01:11:39 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.9/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'd love to be able to call the color 'anthracite' in keeping with the coal theme, but it's really much closer to mahogany with generous ruby-amber highlights at the margins. The dense, light chocolate brown head is creamysoft rather than stiff. I'm not expecting much lace, but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised (note: I wasn't). A good, not an exceptional, stout look.

While the previous sentence applies to the aroma as well, it isn't quite as good in a relative sense. Roasted malt is uppermost, but could be more roasted yet. I detect faint aromas of carob and watered-down coffee, along with some musty fruit. The nose needs an injection of stoutiness for sure.

Upon tasting... we're back on track. The flavor profile consists of well-roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee with cream. There's a little brown sugar flavor as well, with a wee bit of vanilla, but the beer isn't all that sweet. English hops play a bit part at best. Sweet, sour and bitter are all present in roughly equal proportions and tend to cancel one another out, resulting in a fairly well-balanced beer.

The body isn't big and bad, but it is full enough and creamy enough to be enjoyable (and is a great fit with the flavor profile). It's firming up nicely with warming, but is still a long way away from chewy. The 8% ABV is on the generous side for a (non-Imperial) stout, so it's a good thing that it's well-buried.

Lump of Coal is the final member of the 'holiday quadruplets' from Ridgeway Brewing, joining Santa's Butt, Bad Elf and Very Bad Elf. It isn't the best member of that group, but that probably has more to do with my affection for hoppy beer than anything else. It's a solid effort that I'd be more than happy to drink at Christmas or any other time of the year. I certainly wouldn't mind getting a Lump of Coal in my stocking this December 25th.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2005 16:04:29 | More by BuckeyeNation

brentk56

North Carolina

2.83/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours a dark brown color with garnet highlights; the head was tan and retained well, leaving a nice pattern of lace on the glass

Smell: Fruity licorice aroma dominates, along with a touch of coffee

Taste: Starts with an initial milk chocolate flavor that is quickly overtaken by fruity licorice elements; there is some sulphur in there too that is quite unpleasant; after the swallow, there is a bad phenolic flavor that is medicinal tasting and reeks of alcohol

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied (way too thin for a stout) with low carbonation

Drinkability: Really pretty poor, with some serious off flavors

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2006 02:04:08 | More by brentk56

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A fitting name for a beer that opens with a distinct charcoal aroma from roasted dark grains. Though these aromas dominate, there is a Schwarzbier malt, ferment, and hop character to back it up. Looks opaque black and viscous. Flavors are again dominated by black roasted malts with a follow up of toasted malts, light cocoa, and light coffee. An underlying sweetness boarders on lactose and / or oats. Accompanying this sweetness is a velvety, almost oily texture that mellows the beer and rounds off the rough alcohol edges. Well melded and easy to drink for such strong flavors.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2006 19:27:11 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours not quite a lump of coal dark but close with some nice ruby tint thru out with an off white head that is gone quite quickly.deeply roasted malt and dark fruit in the nose with a hint of milk chocolate,big robust flavors for a big stout tarry and fruity roasted of course with a light smoky flavor in the finish.Wow I really like theis holiday stout big and complex and quite quaffable to boot.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2005 02:31:40 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Well it seems Ridgeway has put out another winner. I recalled liking their "Santa's Butt" very much, and when I saw this one I had to grab it (unlike Santa's real butt!).

It pours an almost-black mahogany body beneath a super frothy head of light tan foam. The retention s quite good, and it leaves some very nice, clingy lace in its wake.

The nose is limited, but there's a touch of dark caramel, a sublime fruitiness, and a very subtle roastiness to it; and it's remarkably clean beyond that.

In the mouth it's remarkably smooth, as any good English ale worth its weight should be, and it has a medium-light body, and a gentle, moderate carbonation.

The flavor expresses a well-melded combination of yeasty fruitiness (berries, cherry, apple) and softly sweet malt with a hint of darkness that suggests both chocolate and underlying roastiness. A cusp of polished firm bitterness keeps it in hand, and it finishes short and dry with just a flourish of yeasty fruitiness and a cusp of scorched dark caramel.

Not everything has to hit you over the head to be brilliant! Like so many other fine English ales, what this beer lacks in full-frontal assault of flavor, it more than makes up for in intrinsic value and balance. It's freakin' bloody drinkable, is what it is!!! The pleasant notes of sublime dark chocolate and yeasty fruitiness just keep popping their heads up here and there. A thread of roastiness runs through it, again and again, at its base. Darkly caramelized sugar throws its arms out to the world every now and again... yet it remains quite confident and concerned with itself - oh so British in nature!!!

For any fan of British ales, this is a must-try. For fans of porter or stout, don't miss this! And for your everyday average beer lovers in general, what a charm this is!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2006 00:38:02 | More by NeroFiddled

metter98

New York

3.45/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is jet black and poured with a finger high creamy beige head that quickly faded away leaving a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass and lacy patterns in the center. A light amount of carbonation is visible.
S: The smell is quite sweet and has aromas of chocolate malts along with some hints of grapes.
T: Like the smell, the taste is both chocolaty and sweet and has notes of coffee and hints of grapes in the flavors. There is a mild amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light-bodied, creamy, smooth and a bit thin on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation. There is a slight amount of dryness in the finish.
D: Any traces of alcohol are well hidden from the taste, which makes this beer quite easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 04:38:35 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Before imbibing, I must say, this label doesn't like me very much. "Much more than you deserve for XMas this year." Actually, well, I have been awfully naughty...I will take my lumps and hope I enjoy them....

Deep, dark appearance, nearly black, with ruby tinges at the sides, and bottom, with a very small, thin, disappearing head.

Aroma is sweetish, mild, lightly roasty....malty, but rather shy for such a boastful beer...

Taste: lightly roasty, bittersweet a bit, but...not quite so rich or thick as we'd like. Rather ordinary. It has a full body, yes, but we want something extra, and if it has it, it hides it. The 8% abv seems well-hidden, at first, though...

Cointinues brighter and fruitier, ...sweeter, syrup-ier....

not bad, but not great...and worth the $5.89 I paid for the 25 ounce bottle?...not?...

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2005 03:40:26 | More by feloniousmonk

Mora2000

Texas

3.58/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a dark brown to black color with some off-white bubbles but not real head. The aroma is heavy on the chocolate and roasted malt with some anise notes mixed in. The flavor is almost identical. The chocolate and roasted malt are what really stands out, but the licorice/anise notes are in the flavor as well. Thick mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Not great, but one of the better Ridgeway beers I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 01:44:28 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.2/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a jet black hue with a tan, bubbly, soapy, one-finger head. It left a little bit of lace.

S - It smelled of caramel and toffee.

T - It tasted of mild maltiness. It also had a good dose of caramel flavors.

M - It was soft and creamy. A medium-bodied beer.

D - This was a pretty descent stout. I really expected more, it just didn't overwhelm me with flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2007 01:06:23 | More by zeff80

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This stout poured out as a dark brown color. The beer is almost translucent despite the color. The head is thin and tan colored. Not much lacing. The smell is a bit roasted and has some earthy aromas too. The taste of the beer is light and creamy. The flavors don't really have a bitterness of coffee or dark burnt toast. It's one of the smoothest tasting stouts ive had in a while. The mouthfeel is on the lighter side and not really complex at all. Overall it's an easy going stout.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 19:27:49 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.85/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a ruddy/chestnut with 2 fingers of tan head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Toffee, vanilla & sarsaparilla, all fade as this warms

T: Singed coco-cola, toffee, & some coffee up front. Leafy hops & a slight oakyness, plus more toffee & vanilla as this warms. Finishes very dry with roasted malt & toffee

MF: Medium bodied with soft carbonation

Drinks alright, but not much to get excited about here, give it a shot

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2008 22:56:13 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This has a medium carbonation, but a vigorous pour summons forth a fat-two-finger thick, frothy, light brown tinged, tan colored head. The beer is quite black in color, though when held up directly to the light it does show a brilliantly clear, burnt ruby color. Aromas of roasted grain up front, but quickly a rich, sweet, malt note becomes noticeable in the form of prunes, raisins and figs. Towards the finish some light toasted malt aromatics come into play. The aroma does not smell so much of roast malt as it does of deeply caramelized fruit.

This has a medium full heft to it, though I would say it might be a little on the light side. Definitely somewhat sweet, this accentuates some fruit notes as does a very light tartness. The fruit flavors are not nearly as concentrated and caramelized as the aroma would have suggested, but they also take on a roasted note to them. This tastes a bit like raisins, concentrated plums, hints of cherries and perhaps some dried figs that have been left a bit too long under the broiler. The roast / burnt flavors are a bit bolder than in the nose; flavors of coffee, lightly astringent burnt grain husks, some burnt acidity in the finish and a light burnt grain bitterness are all noticeable throughout the flavor profile of this beer. Towards the finish a deeply caramelized, rich malt flavor develops; it seems to be a cross between toffee, raisins and some rich, holiday, dark, sweet bread / cake.

I finally found an enjoyable brew in this lot of British holiday brews. The dominant flavors here definitely evoke thoughts of fruit; this is derived from the mix of tart notes, light sweetness, and & concentrated malt flavors). Perhaps not a great beer, but it is certainly a beer that is an enjoyable sipper for this particular evening. I could ask for a touch more richness of flavor and body though.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2007 01:29:18 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

2.53/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Poured into a large .5L mug. "F11 257" on label.

Right off the bat it looks very thin for a stout, reddish brown transparency more like a porter or dunkel. A thin cap of foam that doesn't stick around at all. A tiny clump of bubbles is left floating in the center. Ruby glint in the light, definitely not opaque.

Aroma is grainy, sweetish wort. A little musty, cooked veggies like a bad euro lager. Taste is the same... this is no stout. Sweet and musty, overcooked grain. Astringent and stale. Just offensive really. Is this a bad joke? Lump of coal, hur hur I get it.

I'm glad this was a gift because i'd never spend money on it. Shame on Shelton for bringing in this crap from a sub-par brewer.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2010 01:52:03 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

3.58/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16.9 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a dark mahogany brown when held up to the light, with an average off-white head, fair retention, no lacing.

S: Roasted coffee notes, chocolate, and sugar.

T: Dark chocolate is the predominate taste here, matched by some slightly acidic coffee beans, molasses and alcohol.

M: Viscous and syrupy for the style, creamy, definitely does not drink like 8%.

D: A pretty good beer overall, once I got into it, I'd buy again next Christmas season for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 23:39:25 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.08/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Another interestingly named christmas brew.

Appearance: pours a clear black color with a 1/2" tan colored head. A spot or two of lace stuck to the glass.

Smell: the aroma is very faint, as some coffee and bitter chocolate are tough to pick up.

Taste: the flavor was of roasted malts, molasses, weak coffee, and bitter chocolate. But overall this was wimpy and weak for the tastebuds.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp and somewhat smooth. Aftertaste is short on the roasted malts and molasses. Very light in body for a stout.

Drinkability: very average at best. I like a winter brew to warm me up during the cold months, but this was a stout that would work well in the summer heat since it is so light.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2005 13:21:13 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours very dark brown - almost black (not quite, though). Not the "coal" color I was expecting. A thick off-white head tops it off, leaving a bit of lacing.

The smell doesn't exactly remind me of coal, either - maybe a vague hint of smoke. Some chocolatey, coffeeish aroma behind a cherry-like fruitiness.

The taste is of sugar plum and cherry fruity sweetness and hints of coffee and chocolate. There is a slight hint of peat-like smokiness, but, again, coal doesn't come to mind. Not as smoky as typical of an English stout (D. Goodbody for example). Alcohol pretty well-covered through most of it, but after mid-bottle some solvent alcohol becomes noticeable. There is some earthy bitterness balancing out the sweetness, though it remains sweetish throughout.

It is medium-bodied and smooth in a slick sort-of-way.

Pretty easy to drink for abv. Not as rich as I was hoping - nor, as I mentioned before, as smoky. On its own it's a decent brew. A bit gimmicky, as intended. It could fit the "lump of coal" theme a bit better. It could be richer. Otherwise, it's a decent English winter brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2007 22:01:44 | More by jwc215

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark bodied stout with ruby highlights when held toward the light, mocha tan head swells leaving behind even thin bands of lacing. Aroma dark fruit and dark roasted malts very bitter root like notes, with fruit sweetness in the edges a bit of booze comes off in the nose as well. Flavor is creamy with dark chocolate and some packed in fruit notes mainly a touch of yogurt tartness and plum or raisin pudding. The mild coffee and dark chocolate roasts reign supreme bringing out a bit of alcohol in each sip. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a creamy lightly carbonated milky feel to it. Overall drinkability is decent but definitely not a beer to give up on American crafts for.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2009 01:34:31 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very dark black that some light can get through to show a ruby reflection. Minimal head. Very sweet on the nose and definite malt influence. Flavor is rich and beautiful. I will admit that off such a hokey label, it kind of lowered my expectations, but the truth lies in the bottle. Rich and chocolate-like (strong, but somewhat mild at the same time), but still bears strong stout characteristics. More even and smooth than I would have expected. Still though, it seems to drop off on the tail end in a way that I really don't want it to. On the finish you get a slight spicy kick. Feel is a little thin, but still good. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 07:35:02 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.45/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Poured a dark black with good carbonation and a nice tannish head, lots of bubbles and lacing

S: Hints at smoke, grains and that is all

T: Smoke and chocolate mainly, grains

M: Sordove watery for the size of the stout. High carbonation as well

D: Glad I gave it a shot but wont be back to it

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 01:26:34 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Impressive three-finger head with some lasting time; great ring lace. Dark brown (as opposed to black) color--some light passes through.

Lots of yeast in the smell; very mild dark malt aroma; no hop.

First sip, I notice how thin this beer is for a stout. Strong alcoholic warmth. I'd describe it as a porter, but it doesn't have the chocolate notes. While it does have some of the black patent flavors, it isn't bitter enough

This is an easy to drink stout--perhaps a good introduction to the big boys.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2007 21:54:29 | More by smcolw

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(Served in an imperial pint glass)

A- This beer has a deep black opaque body that looks like it has a slight hint of brown. The head is a big mat of soapy bubbles on top of a thin film of creamy light tan foam.

S- The smell of roasted malt and black malt has a dark coffee bean note to them. Nice and earthy in the roasted qualities with a hint of coffee with cream as it warms, but no note of hops.

T- This beer starts of with a dark black roasted malt flavor that is nice and dry. It is quickly followed by a sharp sour/tart note at the finish. The tart note is really big and bright with a hint of cherries so I don't think it is an off-flavor as it warms it give more of a cider flavor. The finish has a coffee bean flavor that is soft and dry.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a hint of astringency that makes my jaws tighten up a bit.

D- This had some nice roasted dark malt aromas but it sour/ tart cidery taste is really dominating the finish. I'm not sure if because this is a holiday brew that this is on purpose or if this is a bad bottle. It doesn't have notes of oxidation or any other signs of infection such as over carbonation or mold floaters.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2006 01:39:22 | More by rhoadsrage

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a five+ finger light tan head that quickly fades leaving a good lace. Nose is malty. Almost like a lump of coal - faint mahogany highlights. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Flavor is caramel and malts. Finish is bittersweet chocolate. $5.95 for a 500ml bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2008 23:43:07 | More by jdhilt

Zorro

California

2.58/5  rDev -25%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A clear dark brown colored beer with ruby highlights when held up too a strong light. Not much head formation.

The scent is sweet and a little fruity with a little chocolate and coffee in it.

The taste begins flat. Decent herbal hops and a little malt flavor but there really isn't much taste here either good or bad.

Mouthfeel is blah.

Drinkable as in yes you can drink it but with as little flavor as this has why would I ever pick this over a regular Guinness? Unremarkable in all respects.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2007 03:20:53 | More by Zorro

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.43/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Despite the claim on the label, it does not pour out black as can be, its actually more brown and ruby. Aroma was lacking anything but slight roast.

A good dallop of nuttiness and toffee out of this one. Easy drinking enough. Slight plum and raisin feel to it. Keeps the bitterness in check. Good price on it, under $4, might go back to this one once a year around the holidays, a little changeup for that time of year.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 16:40:24 | More by Beerandraiderfan