AleSmith Decadence 2006

Pours rich amber in color w/ a full, semi creamy froth. Superb hangtime slowly reducing leaving snail tracks along the way. A thick, full canopy is revealed producing exceptional lacing that just sits there. Aromas of chocolate roasted hops and chewy caramel malts. Full nectar w/ creamy residual effers that expand on the palate. Humongus malted pine trees stand tall on this hill of typical AleSmith fashion. Remarkably balanced. Fat caramel decadence meets it’s balancing nemesis Mr Robo Hop that is actually feeling a little forgiving allowing only whats needed to arrest this malt bomb component. I detect an herbal essence that integrates well along w/ a bit of cocoa. Chocolate cakebread, black cherries, peach, leather, all wrapped up in a mildly sweet blanket. This brew is thick and chewy and takes forever to lay to rest. Glad I brought my fork. The heavy finish is wiped clean by the sturdy hop component yet leaves a trail of flavor a mile long. Theres a nice residual asprin burn here also. Highly recommended.

After a two-state, four-city search I finally located by far the best beer I have ever had the pleasure to encounter. A full palette marked by round sweetness (overripe plums come to mind) which easily softens the crisp, hoppy, dry-coffee flavor of Evil Dead Red. Unquestionably the smoothest beer I have yet had anywhere. A true masterpiece.

75cl, put into my belly on 10/10/07. Pours a deep red, almost brown with light tan foam that has world class retention and lacing, just a beautiful looking beer sitting here in my Maudite tulip. Aroma is thick toffee like malts with some slightly citrusy hops peaking through. Huge rich maltiness, I say HUGE RICH maltiness!! Damn, I’ve always been a sucker for a GOOD American Red Ale and damn if this doesn’t set the bar. Just enough age on it that the malt really hits you, there’s some subtle hoppiness in there but the malt really just grabs you right in the jimmy. Fantastic mouthfeel for a 10% beer.

Thanks to PUBN for this one. The pour is turbid ruby/deep coppery with 3-fingers of tan head. The aroma is caramel malt, layered fruit including fig, cherry, and citrus, plus brown sugar, hops, cabernet, and cognac. The taste is caramel malty, with berry notes, cherry, fig, raisin, and a mismash of cabernet and cognacy notes. Gets a tiny bit hot as it warms, but remains amazingly complex throughout.

Bottle poured a deep dark caramel color with a beautiful thick,creamy tan head and heavy sheet of lacing that lasted for the entire drinking of the beer. How could anyone give less than a 5 for Appearance? Rich aroma of caramel and chocolate, citrus and pine. Flavor is just fucking awesome! Sweet caramel and brown sugar. Light citrus and alcohol with a rich, thick, creamy mouthfeel. Delicious beer with a nice warming glow coming over me as I type this at 6:45 am. Rich, malty, candylike finish...or maybe I’m getting a buzz already...awesome beer!