I got a box from Craftshack today! Well, not today as I type, but today as in June 12^th of 2020. That box contained a bottle of Ridgeway Foreign Export Stout, a beer I was very excited about receiving. There are many reasons for this. First of all, this would be the very first beer from England’s Ridgeway brewery that I would try that was not one of their many Christmas inspired brews. Not that I have anything against those; rather, I love them dearly. Still, it would be interesting to try a beer in their regular lineup.

Second reason is that this is a foreign stout, and under-served style in my opinion, and ay 8% alcohol by volume, one of the stronger English beers I’ve yet to come across. So much so that there was no way any age was accruing on this one (despite the fact I expect it would age well). I popped it open and drank it the very day I received it.

Ridgeway says on their website:

Ridgeway FES matures in a similar way to vintage port. Roasted malts and leaf hops initially provide an aroma of breakfast coffee and fresh spices that gradually fades to reveal liquorice, caramel and raisin notes that are products of the aging process. Beneath all this change, sits a solid and resilient backbone of bitter English hops.

The price of admission was $6.95 for my half liter bottle, not bad really since I just paid $7.49 each for four bottles of Ridgeway Christmas beers, again as I type. Yes, I am late fleshing out my tasting notes into a full-blown review.

Ridgeway Foreign Export Stout pours to a jet-black color with a rich roasty nose and a medium head of creamy tan foam. Taking a sip, the beer is full bodied and rich roasty with burnt treacle and caramel, licorice, coffee, and raisin. Brown bread, molasses, Toffifay candies, all lead into a dark roasty finish with a touch of tartness.

Outstanding, and one of the best beers I have had all year. A note on the glass that I enjoyed it in. In the late 80s, I used to frequent a bar in North Kingstown, RI in that had Whitbread Pale Ale on tap, and I drank a lot of it. Often while playing pool. Badly.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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