AleSmith YuleSmith (Winter) Imperial Red Ale

Extra 22 oz bottle courtesy of.. you know, I cannot recall offhand who gifted me this bad boy. Appreciative, regardless though. Pours a nice dark copper, a little dulled, decent haze, big beige head that cakes, stays around big and laces very well. Aromas are crisp caramel and toffee malts with decent citrus hop backing up the body. A bit floral, sweetness comes in, almost a bit cakey with the caramel. Perhaps a bit faded, but still very nice. Initial is a bit boozy up front, bitter florals and grapefruit, faint piney resin and sweet sweet caramel coming in with toffee sweetness taking on a fuller feel. A bit boozy overall, a bit sweet and pastry/cakey. I’m really not an ASA fan, but this brew is constructed well.. I can’t knock if of that. Finishes bitter on the palate, with sweetness lingering and light florals and citrus. Not bad, just not really my thing overall.

What a nice, gentle warm feeling that comes over you when you taste this beer, like a nice cognac. I’m still very bitter that after four years of living in san diego, i didnt know this brewery existed. great beer, again.

Bottle from Julio’s. Pours a deep, somewhat murky reddish-amber color with a decent head that settles to patches. The aroma shows a lot of resin mixed with floral notes, some citrus, and toffee. Sweet toffee and caramel kick off the flavors but quickly give way to big resinous hops with a lot of berries mixed in. Long-lasting bitter, toasty finish with a warming sensation. Interesting beer. At first I thought this was so so but it did grow on me and overall is a very good beer. Also, I’m drinking this on July 1st and I can see how it would be really good during the holidays with the prominent berry notes mixed with the big malt/hop combo. Hopefully I get to try this again when it’s released again in the winter and I really look forward to trying the Summer Yulesmith

Medium, yellowish head over hazy orange-brown ale. End of bottle solid yeast. Grapey, orangey and finally resiny hops, powerfully wafting up upon opening. Bitter, resiny hopsflavour, with a wry, leafy dimension, verging upon quinine. Bitter onslaught mellows with time and more bready or cakey malts announcing themselves; but the dry finish remains throughout. Well-bodied, very slick, bit oily and long-lasting bitter-hoppy aftertaste. Well-crafted, if not really spectacular dark strong American ale. Could grow upon me.

Tasted 6/15/09. 22oz bomber. Slightly hazy with a dark amber brown hue. Lacing creamy head. Looks good! Aromas of caramel and toffee with a slightly spicand sweet note. Grassy and woody hops. Full bodied with a rich and sweet palate. This is a huge beer! This one had a bit of age on it and it is holding up splendidly! Sweet initial malts and smooth middle. Finishes rather bitter and tart. Faint trace of the alcohol burn. Big malts and big hops. This is a HUGE beer.

Bottled. Pours out in a hazy reddish deep amber colour with a low thick tan-coloured foam. Loads of fruity and resinous hops in the aroma of pine-needles, flowers, berries and caramel. Medium to full-bodied with notes of resin, caramel, pine-needles and sweet licorice. Long resinous and floral aftertaste with touches of berries and caramel.

Huge Malt and hops nose on this brew.. Fills the room when pouring into my Glass. Some plum and raisins notes as well. Pours a burt red with a off white fizzy head that last for a bit. Medium body with a nice carbonation and s hot and crisp finish. Taste of malt and dry hops some carmel and peanut brittle backbone. Finish is a tad hot and dry.. Nice Hoppy Red!!!

Pours a golden color with minimal head. Very good piney hop aroma. Bitterness from hops with a bit of maltiness. Toffee and caramel flavors present. Very balanced, very good.