Ridgeway Lump of Coal

Lump of Coal comes from Ridgeway in England and is listed as a speciality beer. The name and the seasonal gift-giving association point to a dark, roasted-malt style, so expect a deep brown to black pour. The label details here don't give an ABV or IBU, so check the bottle for strength. Beers in this dark, winter-leaning group usually sit in the mid to high range for strength, with a rounder body than a standard session ale. On the palate, expect the flavours typical of dark English ales: roasted barley and chocolate malt giving cocoa, espresso and toasted-bread notes, often with a little dark fruit or caramel sweetness underneath. English brewing tends to use earthy, restrained hops, so bitterness in a beer like this usually comes more from the roast than from hop punch. The finish is typically dry and slightly ashy or coffee-like, which would fit the "coal" name. The richness of the style suits hearty food. Slow-braised beef, sausages and mash, game pies and roast pork all have enough savoury weight to match the roast character. Mature cheddar and blue cheese work well, and dark chocolate desserts, sticky toffee pudding or a mince pie pick up the cocoa and dried-fruit notes. A smoky barbecue dish is another good match. Serve it cellar-cool at roughly 10 to 13°C rather than fridge-cold. Chilling it too far mutes the malt and leaves a thin, harsh bitterness. A tulip, snifter or short nonic pint glass is a good choice. The tulip or snifter gathers the roasted aromas, while the nonic suits a more everyday pour. Pour gently, leave any sediment behind if the bottle is bottle-conditioned, and let the beer warm slightly in the glass as you drink.