AleSmith YuleSmith (Summer) India Pale Ale

Thanks to Bockyhorsey. Poured copper with a nice thick head. Very citrusy with lots of hops in the aroma. Very pronounced hops and strong grapefruit up front, but the malts really balanced it well. Had a long lasting hop pine aftertaste, but very smooth with a touch of sweetness. Annoyingly drinkable since I can’t get this one around here. Thanks Bocky!

650 ml bottle

Rating #650 - I saw this at Chuck’s a week or so ago and decided it would make a nice treat for a milestone rating. The price was not bad either though enough that I probably will be picking up the regular IPA instead next time I want something hoppy from Alesmith. This is an excellent beer that deserves its place as a borderline Top 50 beer. I would place it among one of the better Imperial IPAs I have tried; perhaps I will get another bottle when it is fresh to see if that changes things.

Aroma / Appearance - The clear body let through about half the sunlight that trickled lazily into the tulip glass. A short lived head surged to the top before settling to almost nothing. Strong citrus notes made me think of the weather a month ago - moderately warm with the leaves still on the trees and a light breeze blowing the smell of fall around.

Flavor / Palate - The taste of orange creamsicle coated my mouth before being overwhelmed by spiciness and a tinge of malts. The alcohol is not subtle but still manages to remain under control. For an imperial IPA it was a little peppery. I found it to be very drinkable and easy to finish. It falls just shy of my Top 50 though I can see why it is one of the most highly ranked of the style.

22oz bottle purchased for $4 (half-price, they say - it’s November) from Bauer Wines in Boston. Pours with a ridiculous unforgiving head that is delaying my consumption and enjoyment of this beer. Underneath the head there is a thin sliver of cloudy light gold. Strong bitter aroma. Whoa, this is strong stuff. Tastes more like hard liquor than a beer on first taste. Let’s checkie the ol’ ABV... only 8.5%! For a second I was wondering if this was in the 12%+ range. I swear, I’m getting some weak whisky tastes here (disclaimer: not a whisky drinker). Took a quick look at reviews on here and don’t see anyone concurring with me - wonder if mine has spoiled at all? OK, as the beer goes on, the review progresses. I’m getting a bit less of the whiskey flavours, but I’m still not getting what I consider to be typical hoppiness from the style. An hour later, I just tried pouring the last third of the bottle and the process creates as much head in the bottle as there is beer. What is going on with this bottle? It pains me a bit to give such a highly rated beer (100th percentile!) a mediocre score, but I cannot tell a lie when it comes to this bottle. An experience, none-the-less.

22oz Bottle. Huge citrusy, piney,hoppy aroma. Beautiful copper color. Malts balance extremely well. Buts its all about the hops as it should be. Alchol is evident but very smooth. My first AleSmith & a great one.

The Dan Journal #136. Tasted 11/19/07. 22oz bomber. First pour is clear with adeep golden honey hue. Huge off-white head. The head holds aromas of light grains with berry and honey undertones. Full bodied and BIG! Lotta action going on. Citrus nuances drift up the nostrils as you sip. Spicy and piney hop flavors. Good amount of alcohol. Noticeable burn. Sticky with lively effervescence. The bottom of the bottle poured activated and sedimented. Clinging head. Good balance but not enough depth. Slightly piney and tart. Good brew.

Bomber consumed at Stone Bistro because it topped the draft offerings the day I was there. Pours a dull hazy orange with off white head. The aroma has a sweet sugary maltiness mixed with juicy pine and some citrus hops. Not nearly as pungent as the winter version. The mouth feel is thick and chewy with a plentiful bounty of pine and grapefruit hoppiness that mixes brilliantly with a river of malty sweetness. Toward the finish the hops seem to split into bitter pine hops and grapefruit hops as well as sweet orange juice. Easily quaffable.

Bottle from mreusch. Holy crap, this is good beer. The nose is just bursting with bright, beautiful hops. Sticky pine resin, cedar, lemon zest, sweet sticky malt. Very nice. Pours the color of orange marmalade. Big, creamy, cumulus like white head with excellent retention. Flavor is hop heaven! Perfect balance of oily pine and tangy citrus zest. Tongue coating hoppy goodness leading to a zesty finish that lasts forever. Notes of grass, slightly floral and spicy hops. Creamy with mouth filling carbonation. This is what IIPA’s are all about... balanced excessiveness. STUNNING!

Bottle (Sune) at ØLklubben (2007 edition). Clear yellow (green glow) - white head. High hoppy, peach, light peppery, sweetness, light almond notes. Dry bitter finish. Very nice.