AleSmith YuleSmith (Summer) India Pale Ale

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
San Diego, California USA

The commercial description of this beer is very accurate. The orangish copper body poured very clean and clear, and the just gently off-white head seemed to continue billowing up after I had stopped pouring. Very good retention on the head, but I’m not sure that is nessecarily a plus, lots of lacing. The first sip is very floral tasting, bitter, and caused a warm dry sensation in my mouth. Alcohol is very prevalent. The hops jump out stronger and stronger with every sip and really build a unique taste on ones pallate. I gave the pallate the lowest percent rating out of all of the categories because of the warm dry sensation. It does make you want more and more, and I found it hard to just sit back and enjoy. It was the only beer I had that night and I finished the whole bottle in about ten minutes. (Fast for me). This beer stands very strong as far as double IPAs go. Its unique, complex, and does not let you down. Snaps for alesmith!!! On a sad note, the night I had this my friends were all celebrating a good friend of mine’s birthday and drinking Yulesmith on cask and Barrel Aged Speedway Stout. It brings a tear to my eye.

Rerate. 22oz bottle, courtesy of artusory. Thanks, Ryan! Pours a bright, clear yellowish-orange color; pillowy yellow head with fantastic retention and lacing; a gorgeous pour. Dense, resiny and fresh citrus / piney hop aroma; very light malty presence behind. Full, resiny mouthfeel: very dense hop presence with a good viscosity from hop oils and a chewy, earthy maltiness; a generous beer. Lengthy, maple syrup and earthy malt finish; citrus and herbs. 8.5.8.4.16=4.1.

Original rating: 22oz bottle, courtesy of gears81. Thanks, Jake! Pours a clear, light golden-orange appearance with an off-white head. Plenty of citrus hops and alcohol in the aroma: lemon and grapefruit. Huge, resiny mouthfeel: plenty of fruity bitterness, balanced by a candy sugar backdrop; ideal levels of carbonation, lively but drinkable; hugely textured, dank, and balanced. One of the best double IPAs I’ve had, and much more enjoyable (for me) than its Winter counterpart - better restrained and less hot than many of the stronger Alesmith beers. Long, bitter, resiny finish. 7.4.9.5.18=4.3.

Bottled. I think this is a summer release of the Holiday Ale. It’s huge and very complex. There is so much flavor and huge hop that it’s like a tap dance explosion on my tongue! Thick creamy head, hugely bitter and certainly not for the whimpy lite sissy yellow beer drinker. This one is for serious beer pros only.

Stating the obvious...but Alesmith did it again with this brew! For Double IPAs this is a close second to the dreadnaught. Awesome citrus and floral aromas, and the taste has has an excellent balance for such an agressive Double IPA. the taste is also riddled with piney resiny hops that are just wonderful. Very good beer, and another fine example of what Alesmith is capable of.

22oz bomber pours a golden yellow with a thick fluffy head. Although not as fresh as I like my IPAs, still a really nice light floral hop aroma with orange citrus and malt. A smooth texture on tongue lots of orange zest, grapefruit, citrus, a little carmel, and overall just a really nice hop profile dancing on the tongue with a fruity and malt sweetness. This slips into a light warming alcohol with a light bitter finish. Very nicely balanced, a well done IIPA.

22 oz. bottle from Zinister. Pous is a cloudy golden yellow with a bunch of carbonation bubbles and a big, fluffy slightly off white head (which was rocky, and very slow to settle). Aroma of grapefruit, lemons, limes and flowers. Smell is quite soft, particularly the floral. Also some nice sweet breadiness in the nose as well. Very engaging. Taste is primarily the citrus hops (grapefruit predominantly) with some hop resin and pine mixed in for good measure. Was expecting a bit more maltiness based on the nose. Finish is long and full of hop bitterness. This one was very hop forward. Enjoyable, though I enjoyed the Winter YuleSmith a bit more due to its balance. Thanks for this one Michael!

Thanks to Naven for the bottle. Pours hazy orange/amber with a medium-- head. Aroma is grassy hops and big caramel malts. Balanced taste, with the spicy and tropical hops showing through a bit more. Not nearly the alcohol presence or warmth of the winter brew (which I rated yesterday). Medium++ body. Smooth texture. Nice finishing bite. A winner, if not an earth-shaker. Rating 7,3,8,4,16 = 3.8.

7/4/07 brand new bottle from WeeHeavySD. Huge head. Fresher is definitely better. Big grapefruit and pine hops overshadow the malt. Bitter and almost astringent finish. Rating above.

My favorite double IPA. Lots of hops of course. Has the hint of fresh oranges that is so great in double IPAs. Grapefruit and pine. Huge head. Not too sweet.