Ridgeway Brewing - Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout

"This little coal-black gem is much more than you deserve for Christmas this year."

Next up is Ridgeway Brewing Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout, purchased at Havana House.

"Yet another bummed-out holiday? Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout is liquid consolation. It's a deep, rich, sweetly rewarding stout to take the edge off of that grim family gathering, that cheerless annual festival of alienation. This brew is as dark as it gets, as black as the lump of coal you'll be getting for Christmas. Because, let's face it, you've been pretty bad this year." It is 8% ABV.

Overall average rating: 8.0/10

This beer is dark brown, almost black - Chris says a "hinch" of red as well (hint + pinch? lol). The aromas are rich malt, cherry, and honey with slight alcohol undertones. The taste gives flavors of chickory and slight coffee with a side tongue bite and a light back at the back of the tongue. It tastes richer than it smells.

Shawn- This beer has a deep, rich, complex flavor that leads toa great finish. I like how the more you drink, the more it develops. This would be good to drink by the fire at the end of the day, 8/10.

Angela- This is a fantastic cold weather beer; it's one of those that warms you up even though it's cold. I love the rich malty flavor. This is definitely a beer to be enjoyed by a fire or by the light of the Christmas tree, 8/10.

Chris- This is much better compared to the previous beer from this brewery. This reminds me of a stout mixed with a winter warmer. I like the full, rich flavor with the minimal alcohol smell, 8/10.

Ridgeway Brewing - Insanely Bad Elf

For our next Christmas ale, we went overseas to Oxfordshire, U.K. to Ridgeway Brewing for their Insanely Bad Elf, purchased at Havana House.

"'My goodness,' muttered Claus, recalling his visit to the Institute, 'the restrictive outerwear, the padded room - even padded Christmas tree ornaments. Horrifying! Yet the little chap seems happier than he's ever been.' Claus took a thoughtful sip of a most warming red ale. 'Perhaps sanity is over-rated... Ho, ho, ho!'" This is 12.0% ABV.

Overall average rating: 5.7/10

It is a light straw color with a little amber hue to it. The aroma is of cherry, honey, a little cinnamon.. and alcohol. It's almost like smelling liquor. It tastes like a strong mixed drink. You can absolutely taste the strength of the alcohol in this.

Shawn- Considering the higher alcohol content, it's a little cough syrupy, almost like a simple syrup viscosity. The sweetness and alcohol stick everywhere in your mouth. I think it's a bad attempt to clone Mad Elf, 5.5/10.

Angela- Never before have I had a beer that reminded me so much of liquor. There is a slight cinnamon finish, but the thick syrupiness of it makes it too sweet, 5.75/10.

Chris- It reminds me of a honey liquour - almost like a light mead (Shawn and I agree). There's too much obvious alcohol in this, in my opinion, 5.75/10.