Day Nine: Lump of Coal from Ridgeway

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.

Sounds good, doesn't it? I have to admit the name of this beer and the fact that it was a stout seemed pretty creative for a holiday offering. Well, this IS a "lump of coal" and you know how rewarding that is. It's not.

Pours black with a thin bubbly tan head. Aroma consists of cocoa, chocolate, roasted malt. It's a tad vinous with a whiff of alcohol. Not unexepected since it's listed at 8% abv. Disappointingly thin mouthfeel for a stout. Thin raisin and roasted malt front. Flavor turns a little sour and bitter in the middle. Feint hints of cocoa follow. Weak, bitter vinous finish.

This is a lame stout that's not very impressive at all. Save your $5.50 and spend it on something else.