Santa's Butt - Ridgeway Brewing

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 50 cl bottle into a pint glass. Pours a mildly opaque brown, with a creamy ivory head.

Has a creamy nutty malty smell, with some grains and oats. Mild grassiness as well.

Smooth, mild malt, faint toffee and coffee notes. Mild yet pleasant, with a medium bodied mouthfeel.

Nice. I'd drink Santa's Butt again.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 02:22:35 | More by TheHoppiest

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.18/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Vine St Pub had this on tap, so pour it up!
Well, not very impressed with this one. Sure, it's a solid beer, nothing bad about it, but it wasn't an eye-opener or something worth the price. Looks great! Dark ruby brown, nice fluffy, semi-dense head.
Aroma was lacking and weak. Again, nothing bad, just not sure about it. I detected some cocoa and roasted malt. maybe some nuttiness. No hops whatsoever.

Flavors were pedestrian; some coffee, some cocoa. For an EP I expected some bite, hops..something. Then again, the category on here could be wrong. Either way, it's average. Which makes it easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2010 21:17:18 | More by Mebuzzard

BuckeyeSlim

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

500 ml. bottle poured into a New Belgium snifter.

I first discovered this beer several years ago while working for a store that excelled in featuring specialty beers. Since then, it's been a required part of Christmas time.

A - One-finger ecru head that's thick around the edge and foamy in the middle. It dissipates in about a minute to a thin film of lace across the surface. Very dark chocolate brown. Held up to a light, it's clear and a deep ruby red.

S - Lots of caramel and toasted malt in the nose. Smells like someone's getting ready to dip apples into a batch of melted caramels on the stove. Hints of vanilla. As it warms and the glass gets room to swirl, rasiny fruit tones emerge.

T - Gently toasted/roasted malts. Delicious caramel flavors, which dominate the taste. Hints of brown sugar. As it warms, dried cherries appear in the finish.

M - Some carbonation, but body leans toward the thin, watery side. Not much of a finish, but what remains invites another taste. This is perhaps its weakest attribute.

D - A classic English porter. Very drinkable. Flavors are delicious but restrained. Could easily enjoy several of these in a sitting. As a bonus, both the nose and the taste open up into additional fruit-based flavors as it warms in the glass. Most American porters are really junior stouts. This beer does a great job of showing off what it means to be a true porter.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 01:31:49 | More by BuckeyeSlim

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.68/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Notes from 12/15/2010:

#4 - 12 beers of Christmas. 500 mL bottle at 42* into a pint glass.

A: The pour is black in color and nearly opaque with reddish hues and one and a half fingers of fluffy, off-white head.

S: The nose shows aromas of roasted nuts, coffee, chocolate, sweet dark fruits, and a biscuity finish.

M: The body is rather thin with a very creamy mouthfeel - spot-on for the style.

D: This is a solid English porter all-around.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 08:56:20 | More by bucklemyshoe

jrallen34

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Bottle procured in the middle of bumfu&k no where Maryland...An ugly water pour, light brown with a little carbonation, doesn't look great...The aroma is light stale coffee, alcohol and a little hops...The taste is horrendous, can barely drink half a glass of this. Stale coffee, not roasty at all, lots of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 03:22:49 | More by jrallen34

hustlesworth

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A- on the lighter end of the porter spectrum, a clear reddish brown but still dark enough to look black when it's not held up to the light. tan standard looking english head is smallish but dense and creamy and leaves some minor lace. the rings of lace that follow each sip are drippy and fill out like the spots on a giraffe.

S- toffee and mineral water with some roasty weak coffee aromas and damp wood. a touch of dark chocolate as well. overall seems subdued and watery. very brewery fresh grainy aromas come out as it warms slightly and make an acme of this beer's aroma.

T- fruity tartness hits first with melon and berry flavors followed by weak coffee and some chocolate. woodsy, earthy, tobacco, tea like hop bitterness and mineral water encompass the flavor profile. finishes drying and grainy. i like the fruity notes and they work well in the same way that melon and salty pork do but this isn't salty. and it tastes diluted, miserly, and rather generic. what happened to the generosity of the christmas season? i've had some damn good ridgeway brews but it seems like they bought their xmas presents and the last furkin moment. exactly the way i do. sorry baby. wink. doesn't work with beer though.

MF- carbonation is tight and prickly but overdone. this has the consistency of a pale ale or bitter and is completely lacking the smooth richness that i look for in a porter from england OR america. the body even has the lightness of dare i say... nah, i won't take that dare. but come on. the catch 23 of this bitch is (and yeah, i changed it from 22 to 23 cuz of lebron's ass) that it has the D of beer of a lighter quantification which i guess is good, but it's an english freakin porter and after a dinner with 2 sammy smith taddy porters last night i'm feeling a bit bitter and bah humbugish.

D- i guess i coulda summed it up in the last paragraph BUTT... "good beer" drinkers that expect something from a porter and have a benchmark for a style and/or something they wish to receive: this will not do it for ya. experimenters and people that are trying to drink something different around the holidays or whenever: give it a shot, you might like it. BMC fans who got this in their stocking: go for it. but me, i say although it tastes fresh and all which definitely earns some points, in the time of year when i jones for dark hearty brews, i'm disappointed in this one. put me on the naughty list bitch i don't care. after all that rambling i will conclude this yuletide tale by saying that i could drink at max 47 of these.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 10:51:16 | More by hustlesworth

CHickman

New York

3.93/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours opaque dark brown with a creamy 1 finger tan head that settled quickly and left good lacing with rings; when held up to the light this beer is reddish brown.

Smells of sweet malt, caramel, molasses, dark fruit like dates, roasted grains, toffee, biscuit, yeast and nut; this brew has a smoky aroma and is very sweet overall with nice soft whiffs of caramel and sweet malt.

Tastes of sweet malt, caramel, molasses, plum or dates, roasted grains, toffee, cocoa, coffee beans, biscuit, burnt wood, yeast, nut and a hint of citrus or floral hops; it finishes dry with a lingering coffee or chocolate taste mixed with the roasted malts, which is quite tasty.

Mouthfeel is smooth and almost watery, with a light body and a dry bitter finish; this borders on being light and crisp.

High drinkability for me, as this went down easy and had enough flavor complexities to enjoy on its own or as a session beer. A strong recommendation for any porter fan or any fan of rich roasted malt flavor in a beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 04:52:52 | More by CHickman

despainmakesbeer

Kentucky

3.63/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very very dark mahagonay reddish brown color. No head, very tiny ring around edge of glass. Very chocolatey malty aroma. Roasty start, dark fruit and chocolate finish. Roasted aftertaste. Medium Body, semi-thin on the tongue. Carbonation seems on the high side adding to the thinness. Not super complex but a good basic. Quite nice, doesn't sit super heavy.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 06:01:26 | More by despainmakesbeer

rarbring

Sweden

3.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer is clear dark red black, a tan small head, some lacing and curtains.

A dry toast smell, some dark dried fruits as well.

The taste is sweet, candy sugar, butter scotch, dark chocolate, dried fruits.

Medium carbonation, soft and a medium body, slightly dry at the end.

Actually a bit too sweet and little bitter for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 18:45:36 | More by rarbring

deaconoflove

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ap. Very dark, near black with slight head that faded fast...probably too cold.
Sm. First thought is malt and then some hops/citris in the background. Nice.
Ta. Malt, a bit of chocolate with a tiny bit of lemon hidden in there. Nice mild finish.
Mf. Medium body, nice and full, with decent carbonation.
Dr. Very easy.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 00:22:13 | More by deaconoflove

beeragent

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass from a bottle.

A - Pours a deep brown, forming a thin tan head that fades quickly. Very few light spots of lace cling to the glass.

S - Light aroma of roasted malts and a hint of chocolate.

T - Light roasted malts dominate the flavor, with a hint of chocolate in the finish. Very light on the flavor, but still good.

M - Medium bodied and carbonation. Very smooth and clean.

D - Aside from the thin taste, this isnt a bad porter. Having said that I would not wait all year just to have this as a holiday beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2010 23:06:24 | More by beeragent

colts9016

Idaho

3.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes. Poured into a pint glass at 42 degrees.

Appearance: A one finger tan head that is foamy and creamy, with some good retention. The color of the beer is dark brown to near opaque. The clarity of the beer is opaque. There are some visible signs of effervescence on the side of the glass.

Nose: A warm toasty malt with hints of biscuits, yeast, dark cherries, figs, cinnamon and some molasses. The aroma is similar to warm spiced Christmas bread.

Taste: A mellow toasty roast malt, slight burnt character with biscuit and yeast hints. The other flavors are cinnamon, dark cherries, phenols, wood, floral ester, and a touch of solvents.

Mouth feel: A slightly astringent thin and warming. The body of the beer is medium with a medium finish.

The beer overall is too bad well put together porter with good flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2010 06:11:57 | More by colts9016

bheilman

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Good beer! Great name and I had to admit that influenced the purchase. I probably won't buy it again because of the expense, but it is a solid porter. It's rich and warms the tongue as it layers with flavors of chocolate malts. It does have a smooth hop balance, and is a high quality porter. Fairly drinkable, but not a beer I'm going to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2010 01:56:18 | More by bheilman

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Ruby-brown-black with a tan head; very little retention, no lace.

S: Coffee, roasted nut & grainy bread.

T: Licorice, coffee, roasted nut, smoke, pumpernickel rye bread, great fruityness, balanced bitterness.

M: Light to moderate body, carbonation on the low side of moderate.

D: A good drinker.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2010 23:14:40 | More by Derek

EtOHMD

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Other Side in Boston, enjoyed it a lot but did not take notes, and was psyched to see it for sale a few weeks later a block away at Bauer Wine and Spirits on Newbury. Funny label and story on it. Was a bit disappointed though. Pours thin, dark brown to black and opaque in the middle, looks like coca-cola on the sides. Minimal head which dissipated immediately. Smell is very faint -- ? fruity, root beer. Taste is pretty good, hints of smokiness, coffee, tobacco and cherries. Feel is thin as predicted by the pour, very thin for a porter. Minimal carbonation. Pretty easy drinking, perhaps too easy for a winter porter. Would get it on tap if I saw it again, but not in the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2010 01:41:06 | More by EtOHMD

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a brown 16.9 oz. bottle. Has a black color with a small head. Smell is of malts, some notes of chocolate. Taste is mild, some malts and chocolate, finishing slightly bitter. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has average drinkability. Overall this is a fairly decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 13:21:56 | More by tone77

JoKo

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into standard English pint glass.

Appearance: Black with a reddish hue when held up to the light. This beer has about an inch of head that is off white and fades quickly carbonation seems to be moderate to low.

Smell: Roasted malts up front, some caramel.

Taste: Roasted malt flavor up front, some bitterness, caramel notes present as well as possibly some dark fruit type of notes.

Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is light, almost watery, smooth beer

Drinkability: Very easy drinkability, a nice beer for the holiday season, enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2010 07:17:25 | More by JoKo

wangbruins

Florida

3.73/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Thick, dark black, standard porter color, with a very small head and the top looks thin and slick

S- Coffee and chocolate and very smokey. It also has a black licorice scent which is new to me

T- Really smokey with lots of coffee. To my surprise and enjoyment, I do detect a bit of black licorice. Not bad

M- More thin than I expected with an initial bite but the aftertaste is smooth and refreshing

D- It's a really good beer but may start to weigh you down after a couple

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 02:53:39 | More by wangbruins

adamette

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

"And Santa sat on his great butt enjoying a hardy brew..." so mentions the label as the inspiration for this beer.
Live review. Poured from the 50 cl bottle that I bought at Reider's in Painesville last week. This is the third of four in a series from Ridgeway Brewing Company focusing on Christmas that I will be tasting and rating. Poured into my Great Lakes Brewing Company Christmas Ale goblet glass. F11 204 stamped on bottom of back label.

A Nice, light brown creamy head of about 1 inch after vigorous pour over a dark brown body that glows mohagany in front of direct light. Good, solid look. 4.0

S Immediate smell of a nice, light sweetness along with medium to dark roast malt. I was not sure of what it was initially (maybe a roasted marshmallow?) but repeated sniffs revealed a bit more of a light chocolate. Whatever it really is, I like it and it is inviting. 4.0

T A basic porter taste with a muted sweetness and actually the back of the taste reveals a bit of barley as well. I find English beers to be more sublte with their tastes and this beer is no exception. This is a fine beer but no one should consider it an extreme beer. Gone is the "chocolate" sweetness that I perceived with the smell but there is that light sweetness none the less. 3.5

M Somewhat smooth, creamy. Nothing too inspiring with the feel. 3.0

D Just fine for the style and for the beer itself. Again here, not inspirational in terms of drinkability. 3.0

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 05:30:52 | More by adamette

klewis

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours brown with a small, bubbly head. Light lacing.

S: A rich, chocolately malt smell with soft nutty aromas.

T: Smooth and balanced flavors of chocolate and cocoa with a hint of spice. Fairly basic, but quite enjoyable.

M: Medium-bodied with light carbonation. Silky smooth and a pleasure on the palate.

D: Despite the mediocre reviews before this one, I find this beer to be quite nice. A solid example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2010 01:20:57 | More by klewis

Mora2000

Texas

2.28/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours dark brown with a very small head. The aroma is very, very faint with some malty sweetness. The flavor is just simply not very good. I get a strong medicinal flavor and no real roasted malts or anything else you would expect in a porter. Not sure if something is amiss in this beer or if it is just not very good, but I barely finished a 4 oz sample. Low to medium carbonation and medium body.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2009 21:47:13 | More by Mora2000

KTCamm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased as part of the 4 beer christmas sample pack. Poured into a pint glass.

Pours very dark brown bordering on black with virtually no foam.

Light roasted smell with chocolate and coffee hints.

Rich roasted malt taste opener that finishes surprisingly clean. Notably absent is any trace of bitterness. Very smooth and creamy. Somewhat milky in the mouthfeel.

Good, solid, drinkable porter.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2009 12:39:17 | More by KTCamm

scootny

New York

3.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A nice easy drinking holiday ale that is full of flavor and relatively low in alcohol for a holiday beer. nice clear cola brown with tan head a lace. A sweet toffee and malt aroma. Taste is sweet and malty. A bit of molasses. A yeasty fruitiness and mild finish. Some toasted dark bread lingers. A light warming from the invisible alcohol. A little light on feel but a nice light carbonation. You can enjoy several of these in a sitting, quite pleasant on a cold evening. Warming and restorative with a quenching quality.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2009 05:55:57 | More by scootny

Cresant

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this 1 pint .9 oz. brown bottle into a Sierra Nevada hops glass. No date. The body was a deep cola color and clear. The head was light tan and moderate in size. I enjoyed this one on Christmas night, of course!

Smell was malt syrup and metal. A little bready.

Taste was roasted malts. There was a nice dry bitterness. Crisp fruitiness. Raisins and plums maybe. Milk chocolate. Very flavorful.

Mouthfeel was zippy carbonation with a smooth finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2009 19:12:39 | More by Cresant

ImusBeer

Georgia

3.2/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a goblet brown to black in color with a small to non-existant head although there were large bubbles collecting on the bottom and sides of the glass.

There was very little in the way of aroma, maybe some smokey wood smell. The taste was mainly smoke with some dark fruits like prune or date.

This felt like a high carbonation beer, light and watery on tongue with a slight non pine bitterness at the finish. Good but I was expecting more than just a simple porter more spices that would convied Santa and Christmas.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2009 13:21:25 | More by ImusBeer