AleSmith YuleSmith (Summer) India Pale Ale

Thanks to kmweaver for sharing this bottle of 2007 Yulesmith. It has a very bubbly, glowing orange sun-burnt red colored body, moderately effervescent, with columns of bubbles rapidly floating to the top of the glass. Has an amazingly rich and hoppy/dank fruity nose of overripe oranges, mangos, and grapefruit, with a heavy maltiness (imperial red-ish), that actually is the problem I find with this beer. The hop profile is spot on, but the body is too malty and it tends to distract from the hops. Almost seems like it has some light oxidation, with some floral olive flavors showing up, but that could just be me. Regardless, it’s a solid hop monster but I think it could do without the heavy grain bill.

Beer pours lightly cloudy golden color with a totally retained off white head. Lots of piney hops in the nose; rather one dimensional in that respect, but in a good way, IMO. Taste is quite bitter, with significant citrus hoppiness, also more biting hoppy bitterness in the dry finish. Pretty spicy too. Yum.

Bottle courtesy of WeeHeavySD. Copper pour with thick white head. Balanced IIPA. Good hop flavor. Prefer this over the winter version.

Amber body, c-hop nose, dense off-white head with good retention. Malty, with toffee notes, balanced with citric, resiny hops; excellent creamy mouthfeel.

bottle- thanks Jason- a nice summer treat with that familiar alesmith ipa smell, citrus, pine. I was surprised how well balanced this beer was, and was expecting far more hop bitterness and flavor. wasn’t there. Still, nice, somewhat creamy mouthfeel, and an earthy malt flavor make this a great choice.

Thanks to Wetherel for this pour. Clear copper with nice thick frothy head. Big hoppy grapefruit nose. Flavor was hops and hops then a few more. Yet the balance to the malt is almost perfect. Mouthfeel is very creamy with just a touch of alcohol burn, this is a great balanced double IPA!

22 oz bottle. Poured a clear orange color. Head was bubbly and off white with good retention and lacing. Smelled of sweet malty caramel, cherry, cotton candy, and grapefruity hops. Dry on the tongue up front with moderate to assertive hops bitterness right from the get go and well into the finish. As far as bitterness goes I’d give it a 7 out of 10. Malty sweetness emerged toward the end, especially as the beer warmed up. Nice balance of citrusy hops and malty toffee in the flavor. Tasty IIPA.

This is one of my favorite beers so far. Very balanced with a citrus smell. Orange to copper color. you can taste the hops and it leaves you with an awesome after taste. Not too sweet...one of the best IPAs I’ve tasted