On the seventh day of Beermas:
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 9: 21st Amendment – Fireside Chat
Day 11: Castle Brewery Eggenberg – Samichlaus Classic
Day 12: Anchor Brewing – Our Special Ale 2014
Also check out my Prior Beermas adventures: