AleSmith YuleSmith (Summer) India Pale Ale

Bomber from my not so Secret Santa, theisti. Poured into a tulip glass with a big head that just won’t go away and eventually turns into a surface covering lacing. Color is murky dark orange, cannot see through the beer. Aroma is in general strong, sweet, citrus-tea. It’s surrounded by some nice perfume-y, bitter tangerine and a light earthiness (the only aspect that seems independent of the hops. Taste is medium-strong bitterness, with light pine but mostly a thick citrus. A medium body and a long citrus/bitter aftertaste. Now that I tried each Yulesmith I see what Alesmith was going for: this a DIPA and the winter a DIPA with a whole lot more malt and substance (understandably to have a more “winter" feel yet be a hop bomb), I prefer the winter.

Thanks to dirty martini. Hazy amber, large head, excellent lacing and retention. Aroma is strong grapefruit, pine and citrus, some caramel backing. Medium to heavy body, fairly bitter but not overly so. Very predictable, but calling this well made is an understatement. Extremely enjoyable and tasty, but I felt that Dreadnaught offered a softness that this one didn’t. Both are kickass though.

Pours deep, dark golden with a large, airy white head. Beautiful aroma on this. Very piney, an explosion of citrus hops - peach, mango, very sweet and appetizing. Smells like the regular Alesmith IPA just more intense and better. I could smell this all day. Taste is bitter, smooth, with a creamy mouthfeel and a thick smack of tasty, sweet hops throughout the entire thing. Beautiful. This is certainly one of the best 2 or 3 IIPAs I’ve had. Too bad it isn’t released year round. Another amazing outing for Alesmith.

Maybe just slightly hazy copper-colored body with an inviting, frothy head of an off-white hue. The aroma is bursting with hop character. Sweet malts and mild citrus. The flavor is a bit heavy on the candied orange peels for my taste. The alcohol is pretty evident and it weighs heavy.

Hazy copper pour, with lots of suspended particles, and a frothy, lasting head - very strong, earthy hop explosion in the aroma, with notes of grass and wood, and lots of sweet, bready malts lurking underneath - "hop bomb" doesn’t quite accurately describe this beer - the phrase just isn’t strong enough - but despite the giganitic hop bitterness (which is herbal, woody, and just damn tasty), there is enough bright fruity flavors and vanilla and caramel sweetness to keep them in check - heavy, heavy stuff, though - sure, it’s a bit one-dimensional and extremely over the top, but what else would you expect from the style?

Bottle from trade with SamuraiArtist. Thanks Ezra! Pours a hazy golden color with an off white head. Aroma of hops, caramel and pine needles. Taste is pretty much the same. This is another hop bomb. I think the malts are basically over powered to the point they are barely noticeable. Has a definite bitter finish.

Dark golden in color with a frothy head. Smell is hops. Taste is well balanced hops with a strong malt profile. Not a Cali-Hop bomb. Very balanced and very well done. Smooth and easy drinking. Never noticed or felt the ABV. Another fine offering from the folks at Alesmith.

Firmly textured apricot orange pour. Lets through only hints of light. Sweet, malty nose of crème brulee, vanilla, and a thick orange glaze. Dense. Vibrant flavors of mango and peach are underscored by a thick, dirty oak barrel permeation. Mossy, wet, and alcoholic. A hint of lavender and general spritzy burn. Generic caramel sugars coat the mouth. Nothing sensational here. Palate is uncompromising and fitting to style. Natural, forceful, and somewhat at ease, which is easy to appreciate. Substantial. Thanks Brian!