Santa's Butt Winter Porter

[steveh]

Ridgeway Brewing, Oxfordshire, U.K. 16.9 oz bottle (bottle conditioned) 6.0 ABV.

Deep ruby-black color with a thick, foamy, malted milk color head.

A nose of dark fruit esters with chocolate and roasted, coffee-like malts back.

Vinous, tart to sour dark fruit flavors (tart black cherry) with roasted malts back.

Light to medium body with a smooth mouth-feel.

This offering from Ridgeway was a bit disappointing. I was expecting a big, roasty porter, but the tart/sour flavors were distracting and the rather mediocre body was surprising. Being bottle conditioned, I wonder what effects aging may have on this beer.

S.

http://www.sheltonbrothers.com

[ADR]

I picked up some similarities...

Almost opaque dark brown-black with a chocolate milk froth for a head. The suds thin in a minute or so. Laces sparsely but broadly. Interesting smell, some mocha flavors but strong hints of medium-grade pipe tobacco. Smooth mouthfeel, but the carbonation is too low, verges on flat. The taste showcases mainly malted milk, a lot of sweetness, minimum roastiness or hoppiness going on. There's a slight stale raisin off note going on, a funkiness that's almost mildewy. The flavor and mouthfeel didn't strike me on this one, it settles into almost tasteless on further sips, but the aroma was interesting and my favorite part of the beer.

[chazwicke]

Nice reviews from you both. I think I'll shy away from this one.

[fretlessman71]

Same here. Great name, though. Too bad. I've always thought that if a beer with a cool name was bad enough, there should be a kangaroo court to try the beer and remove said name until they improved their product or give the name to someone more deserving...

ADR, welcome to the board!

[steveh]

Oooh -- oooh -- my turn to pick on Fret...

A Kangaroo Court? A 1.) mock court set up in violation of established legal procedure, or 2.) A court characterized by dishonesty or incompetence? A self-appointed tribunal that violates established legal procedure; also, a dishonest or incompetent court of law?

I think you'd rather the ruling be legitimate and binding, wouldn't you?

S.

Or maybe not. ;)

[fretlessman71]

That'd be #1. That's what I was going for. :)

We couldn't make it stick, but it'd be FUN, wouldn't it?