AleSmith Decadence 2005

Formerly brewed at AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Old Ale
San Diego, California USA

These $10 magnums of alesmith suggest that they be aged, and I think that this is essential to get the carbonation to a reasonable level. This beer tasted amazing, but it was a little flat. *** really bad attempt at rating a long time ago

Very sweet and caramelly. Texture is velvety and almost flat, but there is a good amount head. Again, flavor is very sweet and slightly hoppy. Everything is balanced so well. My only wish is that it would be more carbonated. But you are supposed to wait a year to drink it.

This was hugely anticipated and it was that high expectation based on AleSmith’s track record (Speedway, Old Numbskull, Wee Heavy, IPA, YuleSmith) that diminished it. While this was a fine brew and a sterling example of the style, I was underwhelmed. A thin beige head topped a cloudy amber body. The aroma was sweet, piney, hoppy, with notes of caramel maltiness. Somewhat vinous, a combination of thickness and carbonation in the mouthfeel as well as warm alcoholic glow. Moderately sweet flavor. Old ale or barleywine. No matter. Good beer.

Huge thanks to Jimmack, Secret Santa, for this beer! I popped it open in honor of my Redskins actually making the playoffs, since it seems like a decade since that happened. Poured a pretty ruby, surprising creamy head. Aromas were intense, loads of caramel, some toffee, alcohol, and a bit of dark fruit. Full on flavors of caramel, toffee, molasses, dark fruits, raisin, and faint apple. Balancing hop bitterness to finish it off. This seems like one of those big beers that needs some time to come together, and the flavors have finally melded. Give this another few years and I bet it would utterly floor me. Great stuff.

Glowing ruby-brown. Nose swet and fruity, hints of sweet chocolate. Rich cherries and some alcohol as well. Flavor is very full and rich, molasses, cherry/raisins. A mite too sweet, but not overpowering. Good hops at the end.

This ale pours a dark brown color from a 750ml bottle. Medium sized beige/white foamy head. Aroma is caramel and fruit, brown sugar, some cherries and earthy hops. A full bodied Old Ale. Malts are caramel, brown sugar, molasses and dark fruit. Some earthy hops, but mostly this beer is malt, brown sugar and some alcohol. Lots of raisins and cheery flavors come out as it warms. Very smooth tasting, and I think the alcohol burn/presence will mellow with time. The aging potential for this beer should be good. Think I will wait to open the next bottle of this stuff in a year of so. Interesting as it certainly is mellowing as it warms. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet, with a noticeable alcohol bite.

This be offers the nose the sweet smell of caramel and malt. It is copper in color with a cashew colored head. It enters the mouth heavy but smoothly. The taste is an infusion of wheat, yeast, and malt that fades leaving a sweet nutty taste on the palate.

Monthly meeting of the Champaign-Urbana Beer Club. Bottle. Notes of marachino cherry and butter on the nose and more of the same on the palate. Nutty (almonds and hazelnuts) and thick. Solid with a nice warming finish. A perfect holiday beer.