Coaster Critique: Ridgeway Brewing Reindeer’s Revolt

On the seventh day of Beermas:

Reindeer

Name: Reindeer’s Revolt

Brewed By: Ridgeway Brewing

Style: English Christmas Ale

ABV: 6%

Reindeers Revolt pours a golden-copper color with red highlights when held to the light. The beer is slightly hazy in the glass and the pour raised a frothy, white head.

Nose is malt forward, whole grain bread, a hint of dark fruit and earthy hops.

Flavor follows the nose with a healthy dose of malt up front, less bready and more toasted grains and toffee sweetness. Mid-sip the flavor changes to a blend of yeast and spicy hops with a bitterness that is slightly more aggressive than I expect from an english bitter. I cant quite tell if this beer has spices added, there is definitely a bite from the hops but there is almost a clove or nutmeg flavor on the finish.

Overall just Ok, I love a good English bitter which this feels like it wants to be but it’s a bit jacked up, not quite IPA hop levels but approaching it. I do like that the spicy notes are mostly from the hops although I swear there is a light spice addition in here but it’s not a bad thing. I’d recommend this beer if you like a malty English beer with hop kick, otherwise pass.

Cheers!

Chaddah

The 12 Days of Beermas 2014

Day 1: Samuel Adams – Old Fezziwig Ale

Day 2: Goose Island – Festivity Ale

Day 3: Magic Hat Brewing – Snow Roller

Day 4: Shipyard Brewing Company – Gingerbreadhead

Day 5: Traveler Beer Co. – Jolly Traveler

Day 6: SoMe Brewing – Cinnamon Toast

Day 7: Ridgeway Brewing – Reindeer’s Revolt

Day 8: Rising Tide – d’Hiver

Day 9: 21st Amendment – Fireside Chat

Day 10: Southern Tier – 2XMAS

Day 11: Castle Brewery Eggenberg – Samichlaus Classic

Day 12: Anchor Brewing – Our Special Ale 2014

Also check out my Prior Beermas adventures:

The 12 Days of Beermas 2013

The 12 Days of Beermas 2012

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.