Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Lump of Coal Holiday Stout

Brewery: Ridgeway Brewing
Where: Oxfordshire, England
Beer: Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout
Style: Foreign / Export Stout
IBU: N/A
ABV: 8.0%

I almost forgot about this little jewel that was in my Christmas stocking this year...  I have had it stuffed in the back of the fridge for a while now and today seemed like a good time to pull it out and see what Santa really thinks of me...

At 8% alcohol by volume, Santa definitely had some good intentions.  This beer poured with the traditional black color and creamy head that is normally associated with a big stout.  This beer has a big malty punch and a full body only slightly smaller than you would expect from a sumo wrestler.  From the bottle:

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.

I think this beer is an excellent stocking stuffer item.  I'm not sure that I'd buy it for myself, but I do really like the beer-themed Christmas gift!  There is nothing spectacular or original about this beer, but as stouts go, there is also nothing wrong with it.  It has the rich roasted flavor that one might expect followed by a swift kick in the pants from the alcohol, which sneaks up on you rather quickly...

Happy New Year!