The presentation of this beer certainly makes one think that this could be a Scandinavian beer – something about the name and the label. Had no idea this was a Ridgeway beer until I looked at the label very carefully.

A really pretty color on the pour with plenty of ruby red highlights throughout the beer. Conservative head but still gives decent retention and some nice lace. However, the color is the star in the appearance; quite exquisite.

Nose and tastes give a mild smokiness that permeates the air above the beer. The beer is quite sweet and the malts dominate. There’s no doubt that this is a unusual beer. At first this is not a surprise to me since an English Porter will certainly be less aggressive and more subtle than the American version of the style, but that’s not where this ends. In reality this beer is really more like a smoked Dark Euro lager than even an English Porter, and it does not feel especially rich or creamy, but it is a very tasty and drinkable beer. The smoke is really subtle, sweet and light and it works really nicely.

Mouthfeel is definitely light.

A little unusual, so if you can accept that it is definitely NOT an American Porter (that shouldn’t be hard), and also that it’s not a very typical English Porter either (less easy to accept), and take it for what it is, you’ll probably enjoy it.