AleSmith YuleSmith (Summer) India Pale Ale

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

2007 edition, with a very crisp, fresh, sharp and sizzling hop bite. Especially rich in texture -- significantly more viscous and gooey than you expect with a beer of this style designation. It bursts with hop flavor, with an abundance of bittering hops. The IBUs must be maxed out with this one. Tons of that hop character in the aroma; very floral in terms of olfactory saturation. Finishes very dry, and even with some spiciness. May well be the best and biggest of this style I’ve ever had. Stone has to do some special release of its own to challenge this.

22 oz bottle.. Nice Imperial IPA. Had it in between Ruination so I compared it to that. This was pretty thick and domineering for an IPA but not over powering. The flavor was strong and malty and bitter but not as much as some other IPAs. Detected hints of chocolate, roasted malts, light citrus, and of course piny hops. Recommended over DFH 90 minute but not Stone Ruination.

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!

Den første øl til klub-smagningen. Tak til Sune. Lys rav med et sjovt grønligt skær. Hvidt skum. Både sødlig og bitter i duft og smag, maltet, grasset og krydret. Lidt støvet med en god bitter og tør eftersmag. God mundfylde og ganske velsmagende.

Summer edition. Red & Blue logo with fireworks design. Pours pale yellow & clear. Overly generous white head. Very thick & meringue like. Nice. Aroma is of dry pine cones, pine needles, and smells of crisp autumn air (maybe just the pine cone thing going too far). Palate is warm with hearty malt and smooth hop tang. Not extremely assertive for a strong IPA. Very drinkable. Very approachable to those not already into DIPAs. It certainly does not come across like an 8.5% beer.

Nice refreshing hop flavor. Caramel and pine hints. Aroma is floral and hoppy. Overall, this brew is nicely balanced. I can’t wait to try the winter release.

Ølklubben. Pours a slightly hazy dark yellow with a large, rocky, tanned head. Very sweet and bitter. Havy malt aromas lots of hops. Strong alcohol touch. Grapefruity. Full bodied. Average carbonation. Long bitter finish.

#200...Bottle: Pours a cloudy orange-tan color with a minimal white head. This could be one of the most pleasant aromas I’ve ever smelled. Notes of grapefruit, peaches, bananas, caramel malt along with floral and pine hops. Very silky smooth in the mouth. Hop-bomb that doesn’t shaolin-finger jab the other caramel and fruity accents. Phenomenal brew by a great brewery. I can’t remember who traded me this but thank you.