AleSmith YuleSmith (Winter) Imperial Red Ale

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: American Strong Ale
San Diego, California USA

Bouteille de 22 oz dégustée en compagnie de Dmac621, Dickinsonbeer, Cathschlag, MartinT, Beerbuzzmontreal et Glouglouburp. Arôme: Odeur d’agrumes et d’épices. Apparence: La couleur est blonde (présence de lie). Présence d’un mince col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût d’houblons et de noix grillées. Longue durée de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture huileuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Présence d’houblon en arrière goût. (Rating #1253)

Huge thanks to Secret Santa crizay for this one! I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint. Orange and ruby tinted amber, nice compact pillow head that left tails of lace. Aroma is thick caramel and a burst of juicy citric and pine hops. Flavor is rich caramel accented malts, resinous pine, pineapple, citrus, and something tropical that really reminded me of mango. Everything balanced perfectly, the transition from malt sweetness to hop bitterness is seemless. Awesome beer.

2006 bottle. Deep orange color. It’s pretty malty overall, aroma and flavor. This bottle is about 9 months old I’d say, so the hops in it have faded, but still have a presence. Feels like a barley wine. Would like to have it fresh to see what it’s like.

Name: Yulesmith (Winter)
Date: 11/29/2006
Mode: Draft
Source: Stuffed Sandwich

clear dark red, huge lasting creamy beige head, nice lace, huge citrus hop aroma, lots of hop flavor, tons of citrus, sweet caramel and pine, long bitter finish
-------- /> Name: Yulesmith (Winter)
Date: 12/06/2006
Mode: bottle
Words: hi times

very creamy body, spicy hop flavor as well, picking up a bit of alcohol in the finish,
-------- /> Name: Yulesmith (Winter)
Date: 05/26/2007
Mode: bottle
Source: roadtrip
Words: summer vs. winter tasteoff

clear dark ruby red, oxidized earthy hop aroma with a spicy edge, sweet dark caramel malt flavor with lots of balancing earthy hops, winter comes off heaver and stronger than summer making it a good winter warmer
-------- /> Name: Yulesmith (Winter)
Date: 12/04/2007
Mode: draft
Words: O’Brien’s

strong dark caramel malt aroma with lots of earthy hops and a touch of alcohol, rich dark caramel malt flavor, sticky caramel sweetness, tons of earthy hops, long bitter finish,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 17/20
Rating: 4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ***+/4

What a wonderful way to start off! Aromas of orange and pine burst out of the bottle and are detectable as I’m pouring. On closer examination I can pick up some caramel/vanilla type malt and a touch of pineapple. Appearance is a beautiful dark amber with a subtantial frothy head. Some lacing is detectable right off the bat. Flavor is sweeter than I expected, at least before the hoppy kick at the end. Sweet caramel malt flavors give way to a burst of crisp pine hops with a bit of a citrus interlude as a transition. Really nice! My only slight complaint is that the malt is a bit overbearing up front and it comes off a bit syrupy for a split second before the transition to hoppy bliss.

Nice looking, with a reddish-copperish body and a pretty, dainty head. Cloudy, with floaties. Great aroma: juicy cherries, plums and caramelized hops. The flavor is crisp, with nicely balanced bitterness. A good helping of sweetness, but not syrupy like some other double IPA’s I’ve had. The carbonation is really nice: full, yet very, very smooth.

Bottle. Dark amber color with a big off-white head. Big citrus hop aroma. Big malt backing with huge hops. LIngering hop and sweetness. Hides alcohol well and is easy to drink. This is sort of like a more mellowed version of an arogant bastard - not as assertive and easier to drink.

(bottle - 22 oz) Clear copper in color with a very puffy tan head. Aroma is hoppy and floral with hints of pine, resin, malt, and caramel. Flavor is very sweet and resiny with strong malt characteristics and a finish a little reminiscent of toasted almonds. Finishes very clean.