Seriously Bad Elf - Ridgeway Brewing

ckollias

Maryland

3.79/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Enjoyed this bottle out of a Belgian tulip glass.

A: Pours a clear golden orange hue with a thin, 2-finger, white head that very quickly dissipates in to a non-existent lace with no trail down the glass.

S: Sweet deep caramel aroma with citrus buttery aroma.

T: Very sweet malty with caramel and some dark fruit flavors. Alcohol present but masked but the malt nicely.

M: Medium body and minimal carbonation.

O: Interesting strong ale. Very malty – not my favorite brew buy worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 20:52:52 | More by ckollias

Zraly

Virginia

1.93/5  rDev -43.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a clear yellow with a minimal white head. Smells of fruit, corn, and bubblegum. Faint hint of floral perfume. If you did not see anyone pour this, you could assume it was an adjunct lager from afar.

Overly sweet and sugary. Tastes like canned corn and high fructose corn syrup. Honey. Medium-bodied and sufficiently carbonated. Overly malty and faint wisp of earthy hops; not enough to round this ale out, though. Not at all what I hoped for or anticipated. It reminds me of a high-octane lager that has gone bad -- or was bad to start. Alcohol is overly present.

I am not finishing the bottle and am not purchasing this again. Just drinking a few ounces of this makes me think I might have a headache tomorrow. If this wasn't so expensive, I'd say it could be enjoyed underneath a bridge, paper bag and all. (No offense to winos or the homeless.)

Seriously Bad indeed.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:21:49 | More by Zraly

beergoot

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Crystal clear, golden yellow body a a decent yet thin white head. Rich, mellow grainy malt aroma; some corn. Heavy cracker flavor initially, mild malt; kind of boozy halfway through; somewhat bitter. Medium-light body; a bit fizzy; dry.

An okay but rather blah strong ale. The alcohol presence comes across as the most distinctive characteristic which, for my preferences, I'd rather go with a bourbon. A more malt-like profile with a more distinctive yeast character would go a long way in improving this beer. Not bad per se, and drinkable, but hardly memorable.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:27:53 | More by beergoot

metter98

New York

3.35/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear yellowish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high off white head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are sweet aromas of apples and grapes in the nose; this becomes a little boozy as the beer warms up.
T: Like the smell, the taste is both sweet and fruity and also has some hints of caramel with a very slight amount of bitterness. There are some hints of scotch.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and a bit smooth and syrupy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a little bit of alcohol warming in the finish.
O: This is a nice beer to sip but this is something that needs to be done slowly because it’s rather strong and there are some notes of alcohol in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 02:15:54 | More by metter98

CHickman

New York

3.8/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer notes from Christmas 2011: pours clear gold with a foamy 1 finger white head that faded and left decent lacing.

Smells sweet and malty, like toffee, caramel, toasted grains, cinnamon, spices and alcohol; a very sweet nose overall that smells like a holiday treat.

Tastes of sweet malt, brown sugar, toffee, caramel, toasted grains, yeast, coriander, cinnamon, spices like pepper and cumin, tea leaf and alcohol that gives it some heat; malty, sweet and just spicy enough to make the ABV tolerable.

Mouthfeel is very smooth and almost slick, with a watery feel, no carbonation and a medium body. Goes down easy considering the heat and ABV, this is a nice winter warmer. Perfect for washing down the Christmas feast with a little bit of British humor.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 03:41:23 | More by CHickman

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml sized bottle poured into a 22oz glass.

A- reddish gold, translucent, about a finger of white head, average carbonation.

S- Cinnamon, some spices, slightly floral, sweet.

T- Sweet, lightly spiced, some barley. Slightly sweet aftertaste.

M- Average carbonation, medium bodied, slightly syrupy, drinkable, alcohol decently well hidden.

O- This beer wasn't bad for a strong ale. It was a little bit too much on the sweet side and a little bit too syrupy however at least these characteristics hid the alcohol fairly well. Overall not bad, would have again but probably wouldn't purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 02:46:54 | More by jaasen64

Cozzatoad

Italy

3.08/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

500ml bottle

A- Transparent dark gold/honey colour. One finger, soft looking white head. Decent retention at first, though it completely disappears after a couple of sips. Near to lacing on the glass

S- Caramel and honey malts with a strong boozy feel. A hint of spiciness from the esters

T- Strong boozy feel throughout the whole tasting experience, with some plain alcohol notes that have not really melded with the beer's flavours. Biscuity and caramel malts with a faint hint of roastiness while swallowing. Some fruity hints (apple maybe), a thouch of herbal bitterness, some spicy notes (pepper) show up at times. Overall quite tasty, but a bit of a boozy mess

M- Medium body and carbonation. Decently smooth, feels nicely warming

O- Not a really, really bad beer but not even close to be good. It has a bit of a nice warming feel and has some flavour range, but it's a mess, and it's not that much drinkable either

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 10:44:57 | More by Cozzatoad

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Serving type: 500 ml bottle. There is a code printed on the label but no clear freshness date. Boo!

Appearance: Straight pour into a pint glass. The color is clean and clear honey. Two fingers of white head dissipated slowly to leave a billowy/spotted cap and foamy ring around the edge.

Smell: During the pour I could smell the alcohol, but when I put my nose to it the booze had faded. Pale malts, sweet caramel, toffee, honey, apple cider, green grapes, and musty basement.

Taste: The first sip offers sharp booziness, which serves as a fitting prelude for the rest of the pint. The alcohol is not completely overpowering — it fades after a bit — but it is very noticeable throughout. There are flavors of grapes, pale malts, apple cider, light caramel and toffee, honey, raisins, and lemon citrus.

Drinkability: It is okay. Not seriously good but not seriously bad. Seriously, though, I doubt I will ever buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 22:38:07 | More by TheQuietMan22

steveh

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Number three in what's been a pretty good tasting run of beers. English Strong Ale, eh? Not sure if that would be an Old Ale, or what. 9% -- perfect for the first day of Winter.

A -- Clear golden with a thick, lightly off-white head that holds up well and leaves good lacing in my imperial pint.

S -- Light fusel alcohol, a mellow fruit cake/cookie aroma. Sweet, no hoppiness.

T -- Up front taste is a luscious, fruity blend that folds into sweet, nearly unattenuated biscuit malts. The finish is toffee-like and lightly sweet with just a touch of bitterness in the aftertaste. From start to finish there is a backbone of spicy, peppery alcohol that let's you know it's there, but doesn't overpower the richer flavors.

M -- Mouthfeel is syrupy to dry in the finish with a light-medium body.

O -- Someone think light colored beers can't be strong and characterful? Hand 'em one'a these! A smooth, cold weather sipper. The strong alcohol is present, but it doesn't hit you over the head to let you know it's there. This is a perfect sipper for a cold winter's evening.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 22:27:49 | More by steveh

jayhawk73

Maryland

2.98/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a medium gold color w/ a one finger white head. The head quickly disappears. Not much lacing on my snifter glass. This beer is fairly clear in appearance- you can see right through it. The nose has grain, malt, apple, and a slight honey smell as well. Improves as it warms, but not much more than average here. Wow- The taste is completely different than the nose. Big malt and honey take over here- a little better than the nose. I don't really get any of the 9% ABV in the taste at all. Feel is light, syrupy, and carbonated w/ a hops bite on the aftertaste. Overall, this is a style I haven't had before- and I'm glad I got to try one. I probably won't buy this again though. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 00:28:30 | More by jayhawk73

OttoPeeWee

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I got this beer for a good price and have never had a british beer with 9% abv, so I figured I'd give it a try. The pour is pretty standard with more of a soapy head that dissipates. It is a golden beer. The smell is faint honey and grain, not bad. The taste is subtle grain, malt, medicinal and more honey. I am actually surprised I don't taste much alcohol in this beer. Pretty good, I would just prefer a bit more esters to spice up the flavors a bit. Worth a try if you like british and belgium beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 03:42:29 | More by OttoPeeWee

obrendano

Maryland

3.23/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

mostly drank this out of a cup, but finally found a good clean glass to view in

A - beer pours a cidery gold with champagne bubbliness. head is good at first, but I think is hindered by the alcohol. not exactly what I look for in a "strong ale"

S - fruity esthers, very slight, thin malt, and a faint scent of the alcohol. a musty wine note also comes through

T - big on esther notes, grapes mostly, rough booze taste and pale malt dominate afterwards

M - a little odd and sticky in a bad way

D - to me, this is a lot like drinking a very alcoholic ale version of most big time industrial lager brews. before you put it up to your nose to smell it, the lingering odor in the air is of generic "beer". this is not a horrible beer, though, and is great as the kickoff to a good session, but other than that and getting knocked onto your ass, that may be all it's good for.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 19:37:16 | More by obrendano

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

2.42/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

500mL bottle

appears a bright clear golden color, with bright white head. the lacing clings the sides of the glass.

smells of pale malt and grass. reminds me of the aroma of a cheap adjuct lager. not good.

taste is sweet and malty, no hops that I can detect. fruity and boozy in the finish. just kinda boring overall. an average moutfeel.

***UPDATE
same batch, after a year in the cellar.

appearance the same. aroma and taste have softened. no longer boozy. improved, but still not a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2011 04:23:23 | More by jmdrpi

ElGordo

Oregon

3.43/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pretty orange color with a very light lace of white head that fades instantly. Just a touch of faint carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. Sweet aroma of pale and caramel malts, some fruity esters from the hops, and more than a little treacle.
Palate is sweet and fruity up front, lots of tropical fruit and apple notes. The decent pale malt backbone keeps it from being overwhelmingly fruity, but the treacly sweetness comes through towards the swallow. Finish is drier than one would expect for a beer this big and sweet (hence low attenuation), but it is much more subtle than the rest of the palate.
Body is somewhat creamy, not bubbly, but still a bit thinner than is usually expected from a high-alcohol beer. The sweetness is a bit overwhelming, but does help mask the alcohol content. I am kind of glad that I split the bottle with my wife, but it's not exactly a chore to drink. Maybe not the most festive holiday ale, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 05:36:38 | More by ElGordo

Erish

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I poured this 1 pt. 9 oz. bottle into a wine glass.

A: clear honey gold color, light egg shell colored head quickly falls into a light cap with decent lacing.

S: cherries, raisins, sweet malt.

T: much like how it smells, fruit up front, ester-laden and boozy in the middle, and oaky, herbal/floral hop finish.

M: medium-bodied, silky to oily texture, light carbonation.

D: a very nice strong ale. Happy Christmas!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 18:32:52 | More by Erish

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This Elf is definately serious in it's alcoholic impact and the impression of flavor that it lays on the palate. Total Engligh-like through and through, the beer has a Belgian-like dryness and spiciness that only fuels the intrigue.

Seriously Bad Elf pours a rich golden or light amber color with steady streams of carbonation and near-clear appearances. A creamy blanket of foam coates the glass and clings to the sides for intermitten lacing. A very solid look throughout.

Aromas of biscuit malt, honey/honey suckle, and highly estery fruitiness rule the nose with spicy alcohols (almost boozy), with oranges, cherries, and red licorice. Rich and assertive aromas that amplify as the beer warms.

Flavors of caramels, doughy breads, sugar cookies, and light rum set the stage. Then there are layers of peppery spice, fruity esters, herbal/earthy bitterness, jam-like sweetness, and boozy alcohols that continue to give new impressions to the beer, wave after wave.

Medium weighted early, muted because of the higher than expected attenuation, high abv., and abundant carbonation. But as the carbonation subsides, the alcoholic warmth and light sugary feel weighs on the mouth for a dry but sweetly finish.

With a lot of flavors borrowed from both a English Pale Ale and an English Barlwyine with with more flavor and feel than the Pale but with less syrupiness than Barleywines. The beer does a good job of straddling the fence.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 08:22:17 | More by BEERchitect

stcules

Italy

2.8/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bright amber color, very beautiful. Copper edges. One and a half finger of decent head.
Malty smell, with light biscuit notes. And light spicy notes, too, peppery. And then hints of hop, quite musky.
Malty taste, with sweet and sugary notes, and some hop in the back.
Spices? I don't think.
Anyway, a bit cloying and heavy.
Nothing to remember.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 19:51:13 | More by stcules

sauron681

Wisconsin

2.68/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours clear coppery color with next to no head and hardly any lacing. Fairly light carbonation that is hard to pick up. A slight fruity aroma, and that was all i could get from it.

Medium light bodied in the mouth. Slight lemony flavor, no hops, hint of spice, and an overpowering alcohol aftertaste. They definetly got the "strong" part of the ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 04:47:35 | More by sauron681

wangbruins

Florida

2.73/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Extremely light golden yellow with a decent head- pretty generic really

S- Lots of lemon and fairly yeasty, very light smelling and not too overpowering

T- Lemon and yeast mostly, very plain without much aftertaste

M- Thin and oily and goes down easy, not as bold as I expected

D- High ABV but not as bold as I like. It's okay for the one or two and the novelty, but that's about it

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 02:57:22 | More by wangbruins

BTPete

New York

3.25/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On cask at Mahar's in Albany, NY. Notes taken directly from phone.

Cask seriously bad elf

Cask to mug @ mahars

A: clear golden with just a tad of head on top.

S: sweet smelling, malty and fruity, a little sweet and sour in a way.

T: very sweet with fruity esters. Very smooth, but sweet with little to no alcohol zing which is surprising for ABV. Maybe due to cask. There is sour embedded in there at the finish. Actually it comes across as a little odd.

M: smooth and creamy....aaaah cask

D: good brew, probably low drinkability in my opinion due to sweetness alone, abv second.

Serving type: cask

12-16-2009 16:21:51 | More by BTPete

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.13/5  rDev -37.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

16.9 ounce bottle - $5.99 at Bullock's Wine & Spirits in Marietta, Georgia.

Appearance: Clear, light copper body with a smallish, short-lived, white head.

Smell: If blind-folded and given this to smell, I'd have guessed it was possibly malt liquor from Melanie Brewing. Not just notable, but completely glaring alcohol and sweet-scented, faux apple notes. 16.9 ounces, eh? It's going to be a grueling, uphill battle as I lost interest around the 1.69 ounce mark.

Taste: Woof! Sweet, all-too sharp alcohol with some vague fermented honey tones and a fruity hint of all-natural apple flavoring. Good grief, Ridgeway. Not much hop character, and what's there is stymied by all this coarse alcohol and unnecessary sweet. That alcohol never lets up, searing the tongue like cheap mouthwash. Sweet, lightly fruity, grotesquely alcohol finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-light carbonation.

Drinkability: The relatively okay-ness of Very Bad Elf had inspired me to give the rest of these goofy beers a 'go', but after the seriously poor showing of Seriously Bad Elf, this may be it for me and Ridgeway's Christmastime line-up.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2009 18:16:52 | More by ChainGangGuy

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear golden color with a rising tight white head the fades quickly. Leaves enough lacing on the glass.

Fruit and pale malt dominate the nose. Some spice and herb notes peek through as well.

Tastes of the fruity esters upfront characterized by mostly apples and maybe some white grapes. The slight bit of hoppiness can be found at the end with a subtle herbal character. Tastes pretty boozy as well, but that should be expected with 9%.

Mouthfeel is a medium-light and could be boosted a little more to be fuller.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2009 03:28:47 | More by ocelot2500

dstc

Florida

4/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light, golden amber color with a big, foamy white head. Head falls to a minimal head, decent lacing.

Sweet malt aroma, wasn't expecting it by looking at it.

Sweet malt taste, slight hops and a mild bitter finish. Slight alcohol warmth and flavor to it.

Medium to full bodied in the mouth.

Decent beer. Drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2009 17:15:53 | More by dstc

Rippeddisc

Hawaii

3.45/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - golden color, maybe a finger head that disappears quickly, no lacing or lingering

S - touch of caramel and assorted sweetness...nothing too distinctive

T/M - decent body and beer lingers...but as for taste..sweet, almost like a pink starburst? very odd.

D - alcohol not very prevalent considering 9% but sweet and not overly tasty so might pass on sessioning this.

curious about the other elves

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2009 02:42:18 | More by Rippeddisc

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass.Pours a light amber color with a thick white tiny bubbled heading,thin lacing throughout the tasting.

Smell is of rich fruity maltiness,very sweet syrupy aroma as well.

Taste is all sweet malts,thick and sticky exactley like a syrup of some sort.Basically a beer you must chew before swallowing.

Mouth is medium to full bodied with alot carbonation. Tiny little bubbles that dance on and around the tongue throughout,again very thick.

Drink is ok a little too boozy for the liking. This would be good on a cold winter night to warm you up,not on an 88 degree day in Florida on the beach (bad move).

I also bought the insanely bad elf. After this tasting I am getting a little nervous.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2009 18:25:36 | More by TheFightfan1