YuleSmith (Winter) - AleSmith Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.78/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Yeasty orange-bronze with a beautiful roseate glow when backlit. AleSmith YuleSmith is a gorgeous tropical sunset of a beer. The orangish, pale caramel crown is thick, creamy and sticky in consistency. Amazingly intricate, filagreed lace decorates the glass like frost on a Christmas morning windowpane. Outstanding!

The aroma is superb. A supernova-like hop explosion greets even a passing sniff. Deeper inhales threaten to blow the top off my head with twin cannons named 'Mr. Hop' and 'Mr. Malt'. There's a perfect melding of caramel and candied grapefruit peel, with a modicum of passionfruit for good measure. These guys are more than alesmiths, they're alemagicians.

YuleSmith is bliss in a glass. To approximate the flavor, melt a hug slab of caramel... The rich, sweet, caramel-toffee backbone is mastadon-sized, with big, meaty ribs. Without all that malt running interference, this sucker would be a tongue-shredding hop bomb of the highest order. Each side of the malt-hop dyad continually ups the ante throughout each mouthful.

This AleSmith ale is the quintessential balanced DIPA. That is, malt is given at least as much attention and respect as hops. Only my undying love for unbalanced hop bombs keeps the flavor score from perfection. Each sip delivers a mouthfilling, controlled explosion of sweet, sticky, hop-flecked, syrupy, fruity, bitter, caramel-drizzled pleasure. How in the world can four simple ingredients result in such an amazing elixir?

I don't know if there are any adjectives left to describe what this beer feels like in the mouth. How about full, chewy, syrupy, sticky, velvety... perfect. Any less wouldn't be enough and any more would be too much. I hate to use the word 'sensuous', but it fits.

I respect those who adore subtlety. I respect those who appreciate the nuances that different strains of yeast can provide. I respect those who like funk and those who like complexity. I'm with them on all counts. But if I can open only one present on Christmas morning, make mine a YuleSmith.

Originally reviewed on 9-11-2007.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2009 16:24:44 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The pour was very big. Lots of dark orange colors swirling about and a good sized head of white reaching up and over the top to around two inches before settling back down again. Really nice layered look to the sides of the glass as it was thoroughly coated all the way down, really good retention here I have to say. Lots of malt in the nose right off. Caramel, sweet notes mixing with a very big hop note, especially as it warms. Piney with a sweet orange rind like citrus touch as it comes close to room temperature. Very thick feel, sticky and full with nice carbonation, definite enough to get it done. Initially you get the piney hop bite as you take the first sip, but it became very well balanced mid palate as the rich, almost scotch ale like buttery notes start to come through and really give it quite a smooth flavor. A bit hot still and a definite big one, it hurts the session ability of it a touch, and by the end you are really pushing it with this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 00:26:10 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.22/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A great copper color with a fluffy white head.

S: Piney hops (lots of them), and caramel malt sweetness.

T: Just like you expect from the nose: tons of piney, hoppy bitterness on the front with a great sweetness from the malt on the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

D: Very nicely done beer from AleSmith, and one of the better winter ales.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2009 22:02:40 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 version thanks to Overlord. Curious to see how this holds up and will make sure to update with the 2010 version as soon as it's released.

Pours a darkened red color with a bit of rust in there. Initial hard pour into a tulip brings up a two-finger light tan head. The foam begins to separate out into large bubbles and is a bit spotty with lacing around the sides of the glass.

Nose brings forward some really nice notes of caramel and spice along with a bit of brown sugar. A pretty good amount of piney hops make their way through as well. This is definitely still fairly hoppy, and reminds me a bit of an American barleywine. Nose also brings some darkened, candied sugar as well as a bit of toffee.

First sip is not a letdown. Resinous pine hits fairly hard right off the bat. Very nice notes of toffee and caramel come through with a bit of spicing. Slight alcohol warmth really rounds out the taste. The whole thing reminds me of a nice fruit cake. A bit of dark cherries make their way in as well. Brown sugar, too.

Feel is a bit creamy with a bit of booze. Medium body and a fair amount of carbonation. Slightly dry and bitter in the finish. Warming throughout. A nice sweetness after the swallow, yet my cheeks remain a bit dry. Really nice and complex, and definitely a surprise that it's this good with a fair amount of age. I'm really looking forward to trying this one fresh, although if it were released just like this, I'd be a happy man and it would sit side by side with Anchor Christmas as an annual winter release that I look forward to.

Amyliz4 adds in that it tastes a little bit like chocolate and a nice barleywine--"it's fantastic."

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2010 01:24:05 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2012 vintage.

Pours a hazy dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus zest, and some herbal and dank hop aromas. Taste is much the same with an alcohol kick and medium hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that strong and quite dank.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 00:53:56 | More by UCLABrewN84

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Release '05 (3/24/06)
A tremendously large IPA with great balance and done with a holiday twist. Typical of big IPA's with very bold hop character, balanced with a healthy dosage of malt. Atypical of IPA's in it's cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and alspice flavors. It remains pine-ey and spruce-ey while showing complex fruitiness of grapefruit and oranges. Malts offer a creamy, viscous round sweetness while spiced heavily with American hops and fruitcake. Bready and yeasty despite such boldness. A very good beer to compliment the holiday season...even if the holiday season ended 3 months ago.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2009 15:14:00 | More by BEERchitect

drabmuh

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

No date on the bottle, oh well. Beer poured into a shaker pint. Beer is slightly hazy but red in color. Forms a thick yellowish head of small bubbles that leaves a lot of lacing on the glass.

Aroma is surprisingly malty sweet and hoppy. Pine mostly, smells great.

Sweet up front, nice midpalate character and an odd bitterness at the back, its not as bitter as I expected. I was almost expecting a DIPA in flavor from the aroma. The malt is there for sure but not the bitter. Second taste, some fruit flavors, maybe sweet apple, overall its pretty good. I can taste the alcohol and the bitterness is growing in my mouth. Its pretty good. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2010 01:53:42 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to kaiser81 for sending this bottle to me.

The beer pours a reddish-amber color with a cream-colored head. The aroma is strong orange and citrus with some caramel malts. The flavor is bitter orange peel with a nice caramel malt backbone. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2010 02:55:11 | More by Mora2000

metter98

New York

4.15/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear yellow in color with some hints of amber. It poured with a finger high head that settled down rather quickly leaving lacy patterns of bubbles. There are no visible signs of carbonation.
S: There are moderate aromas of caramel malts and piney hops in the nose.
T: The initial taste is rather malty and has some notes of caramel and hints of sweetness, while the finish has a mild amount of bitterness from the hops.
M: It feels medium-bodied and oily on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There are some hints of warming sensations from the alcohol.
D: This beer isn't difficult to drink, but it definitely needs to be sipped given the alcohol content and amount of bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 03:20:21 | More by metter98

MasterSki

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Winter 2008 version. Reviewed December 8th, 2008. Got both Yules in a trade from Fumner. Served in a pint glass.

A - Murky amber color with ample and creamy tan-brown head. Lacing pattern is terrific, lots of nice swirls.

S - Sweet malt, floral pine, citrus hops all combine together to make a very festive aroma. Reminds me a little of Furious in the way that it combines citrus and candy flavors, but it's significantly sweeter.

T - Malt-heavy, with hop bitterness appearing mid-palate and lingering into the aftertaste. Loses something in the transition from smell to taste - not as much complexity in the floral notes.

M - Creamy, smooth - viscosity is one of my big sticking points, but this one is spot on in that regard. Carbonation is there, but not overwhelming. There's a definite hop resin character that stays in your mouth and complements the bitter aftertaste.

D - The bomber I shared with Dave went too quickly. Even though this clocks in at a hefty 9.5% it drinks just as well as some lighter IPAs and red ales.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2009 19:03:41 | More by MasterSki

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This brew poured out as a really nice looking clear red color with a white fizzy head on top. The retention wasn't too bad and neither was the lacing. T found the aroma of this beer to be really nicely hopped and has no elements of being a winter ale at all. The taste of this brew was a little bit like a Nugget Nectar in my opinion. The mouthfeel was well carbonated and had a light oily feel to it. Overall this brew was good but I like the Summer version much more.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 05:20:55 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bomber, it's odd I've never reviewed this, but the 2 Yulesmith beers were joined for a while, something I've had many times before, a little Christmas in July, 2009 Version so it has some age on it,

A: Pours a deep red with a creamy off-white head, very good lace.

S: Deep crystal malt, already has that aged sensibility, like an American Old Ale. Sweet pine and cedar notes, Christmas tree like for sure.

T: Great sweet red aged crystal malt flavours, the hallmark of a good aged beer, a lot like an aged Celebration. Still has a nice hop bite, quite bitter with some grapefruit notes in the finish. Very tasty and really better than fresh.

M: Full-bodied, super smooth, very soft lush soothing carbonation. Easy going bitter aftertaste.

O: I like the fresh Winter Yulesmith a lot, but the aged version is working well here. If you like aged American Barleywines, you will love it at this stage. Having had it fresh enough I can tell you it works great fresh as well. A beer that's been creeping up in price, gone up from around $4.50 to $8 in the few years I've been drinking it. Nevertheless it's a Christmas classic, and I plan to buy it every year.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 04:17:12 | More by Halcyondays

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A 650 mL bottle from Al's of Hampden. It's been a long time since my last Yulesmith.

A: The ale is a mahogany brown, glowing despite its opacity. A white head measured nearly a finger and left legs all around the glass.

S: For as hoppy as the beer is, the rich caramel malt base is more than up to the task. Pine and citrus, both in strong supply, attempt to dominate but can't get past the caramel. Plenty bold.

T: Pine upfront and caramel in the rear. Holding both aspects together is sweet ambrosial citrus. Seriously, the hoppiness is pronounced but not in a blinding way. Plenty of caramel throughout, a sweet breadiness amongst the hops. Peppery flavors follow the malt, a sign of more of the hoppiness. Plenty of flavors from both ends of the spectrum.

M: The mouthfeel seems to fit the winter season, stressing the filling aspect of the malts only with plenty of hops to liven things up.

D: The ale doesn't taste is a 9.5% beer. The heaviness is hidden behind the caramel malts. I prefer the fresh zing of the summer version, but this one does alright.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 19:36:19 | More by akorsak

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a beautiful crimson color with great carbonation leaving a frothy tan cap, good amount of bubbles and lacing cling to the glass after a few sips. Head retention is remarkable.

S: The nose tells me there is some pine needles, spruce tips, some light bread and underlying caramel strike with a pinch of booze to sting the nostrils

T: Malt base of light bread and caramel provides a nice balance for the pine needles and spruce tips, not overpowering in any department when it comes to the taste profile, some light sweetness, light sticky syrup greets the palate with more pine and spruce, light booze and and light residual sweetness. The finish is a little sweet and sticky.

M: Well carbonated, medium bodied, balanced

O: Good.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 16:53:37 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Large, slowly settling head. Very lumpy. Deep amber color and very clear. Chunky lace on the glass.

Interesting blend of crystal malt and bittering hops to the nose. I note a touch of sweet chocolate in the background.

Strong malt flavor upfront--lots of crystal. Is there such a thing as semi-sweet caramel? That's what the initial taste is to me: little sweetness, but still some buttery flavors. The swallow features the hop, lightly bitter. There is a unique balance of caramel and pepper in the aftertaste. The body is rich and slightly oily from the high alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 23:53:35 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Green and Red Label

Pours a clear golden yellow color, nice carbonation, small foamy head which disappears quickly, some nice lacing afterwards. Scents of hops, malts, citrus, some spices. The taste is sweet and tangy, very well balanced. There is a nice malty/sweet finish as well. Medium body. Very drinkable, another awesome brew from AleSmith.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2009 22:34:06 | More by Wasatch

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Several samples of this on cask, via hand pump, from the brewery on 11/14/09.

Pours a fairly clear amber (a good bit of suspended hop oils give this a bit of a lava lamp look), with a finger of frothy off-white/light tan head. Rich and soapy looking retention leaves some heavy foamy lacing down the sides of the glass. The aroma is strong with floral, piney, and spicy West Coast hops, with an equally hefty backing of caramel, doughy bready, and an assortment of spices. Man, this just has a vibrant smelling festive quality to it. Much like a hoppy Christmas cookie.

The cask smoothes the initial hop bite of this out considerably, allowing that silky sweet sticky tang of the malts to really shine. Those aggressive hops from the aroma strike back in the backend of this however, with resins popping off the tip of the tongue before drying spice lies down thickly on the rest of it. I love the balance between the malts and hops here on cask, so smooth overall, but this stills pops in the mouth with a zesty punch. The mouthfeel is medium bodied overall, with just an outrageously easy and creamy feel to it for an almost 10% beer. Seriously, no trace of alcohol here whatsover thanks to that great balance of bold flavors and ease from the cask. Fantastic feel here.

This beer is one of my holiday favs and to be able to try this on cask was a real treat. While the cask serving did take away some of the aggressiveness of the hops that I like so much and seemed to lessen a bit of the spicy content to an extent (I seem to remember more mint in the bottled version), it more than make up for this with a smooth body and its overall flavors. This is just a great beer no matter how it is served.

Serving type: cask

12-16-2009 13:11:06 | More by Kegatron

DoubleJ

California

4.8/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

(transfered on 3/20/10, originally reviewed on 4/9/07)

This is the winter release.

Before I go on, let me just say I thought their single IPA was great. I heard some people thought THAT was a DIPA, so I had to see how they strengthen that up. And here it is, one of the last bottles I found at Vendome, costing me $5.99 for a bomber. I can't wait for this moment, so let's get it on:

Dark orange in appearance, blended in with some red hues. The head is incredible and wouldn't stop rising; it was so thick I had to shovel some of it out of my glass. The smell is very hoppy, but the malt profile keeps it from being overpowering. Nice sweet citrus flavors arise too.

The taste is so awesome that I'm giving it its own paragraph. How much smoother can you make this beer? So this is the kind of brew that brings me to BA. Malts and hops are blendeed together perfectly, not one profile dominates the other. They go together like cookies and cream. A big dose of tropical fruit and hops makes the meat and potatoes of the beer. It's then chased by semi-sweet chocolate. Alcohol is faint and creates a third dimension of flavor: spicy. Sweet, bitter, and spicy. My tongue is in bliss! Feels very thick and syrupy.

Notes: I now know what my purpose for living in SoCal is, to drink YuleSmith Holiday Ale! Drink it with pride, and spread it with joy to friends. After all, the back label states, 'tis the season.

UPDATE: I popped another winter release as of July 1, and it still kicks ass! Anyway, supposedly the winter version is an Imperial Red style. But I don't care, I love this stuff.

Originally reviewed on: 04-09-2007 18:49:18

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2010 05:50:58 | More by DoubleJ

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Xmas '05. Placed into the wrong category when summer and winter were split.

Dull orange topped by a dense, cream coloured head. The fine bubbles formed sheets that clung to the sides of the glass. Juicy grapefruit smell initially, followed by a warm pine resin aroma. There's some toasted character in there, but it's overshadowed by the hops. Great balance between big hop flavour and malt sweetness -- pine and orange/grapefruit on one side, malty sweetness and a bit of caramel and graham cracker on the other. Bitterness is controlled throughout and alcohol is just apparent at the finish. Medium to full bodied with very well integrated carbonation -- the fine bubbles create an exceptionally creamy texture. Slight warmth as well. At first, it seems like it'll end up syrupy and palate-coating, but ends up being surprisingly clean and balanced slightly towards dryness. Big hops, big malts, and great balance makes this a winner.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2010 02:08:32 | More by DrJay

HopHead84

California

3.58/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

10/22/2011

Winter 2011 vintage. The first year of force carbonation. Snifter.

A: Dark crimson with two fingers of beige sea foam. Very good retention and lots of lacing.

S: The aroma is a even blend of pine resin and caramel malt. There's a bit of bread in there as well. There's some earth and a touch of grapefruit.

T: Bread blends with caramel and there's a low sweetness. Citrus is more noticeable here than it was in the aroma, imparting notes of candied grapefruit and some orange, but pine is still the dominant hop note. Bitterness is at a moderate level. Alcohol is slightly detectable in the resinous finish.

M: Medium in body with upper moderate carbonation.

Overall: A solid hoppy Red Ale from Alesmith, though at $9 a bottle I don't think I'll revisit this format.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 06:13:03 | More by HopHead84

kojevergas

California

3.3/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

1 pint 6 fluid ounce brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into De Molen stemware in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live.

A: Pours a two finger head of fair cream, great thickness, and great retention - especially for the high ABV. The colour is a dark amber; semitransparent.

Sm: Light toasted malt, good cream and pleasant well-handled hops. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Toasted malt meets with well-handled hops for a very pleasant effect. The mild cream helps tame the bitterness of the hops whilst retaining the flavour. I dig the simple but supportive toasted malt foundation. It's not horribly complex, but I dig it. Very well balanced. All around a pleasant and flavourful beer.

Mf: Caramel-smooth, wet, and just the right thickness. Well handled and suitable for the flavour.

Dr: Drinkable for the high ABV, though alcohol does unfortunately come through. I'd like to try it on draught. It does lack a clear focus, but I enjoy drinking it.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 07:32:59 | More by kojevergas

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Hazy copper-amber with a very light tan head, good retention & lacing.

S: Piny American hops, citrus rind, toffee, cotton candy fruity esters.

T: Resiny, piny hops; grapefruit rind, toffee, caramel, cotton candy, solid bitterness, slight alcohol warmth.

M: Well-attenuated, moderate body has some hop acidity.

D: Incredible for its weight!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2010 00:10:28 | More by Derek

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Winter from 2008. Poured into Ommegang chalice.

Color is a copper hued red, pretty hazy. Hardly any head or retention. Hence not very much lace.

Aroma is the typical imperial red aroma. Big earthy hops, backed up with a ton of caramel malts. It isn't bad, but nothing special.

Taste: Wow the malts are very bready and caramel like. Bit earthy hops. Some citrus flavor.

Mouthfeel: bitter, and more bitter. A little creamy. Ends with a big hoppy caramel aftertaste. Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is a decent red, it is aged a bit, but still was pretty hoppy. I would have it again, but wouldn't go crazy for it.
Decent drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2009 02:39:38 | More by mothman

mactrail

California

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lovely and unusual color, a dark coppery amber in the small snifter. Lots of suds, and the foam lasts well on subsequent pours. Very fragrant of hops and toffee, wine and flowers.

Rich without being overly sweet. Full bodied but refreshing. A tart and woody flavor cuts the sugary taste. A nice mouthful of hops without excess bitterness. Nutty and full of caramel. Tremendous warm, malty flavor. Some hop bitterness and a touch of burnt barley.

I'd call it an American Strong Ale. It has more Barleywine flavors, and it's too good to be any kind of a Red Ale. A classic Christmas beer, whatever the style. From the 22 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 07:06:11 | More by mactrail

ccrida

Oregon

3.88/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber, this year's version, poured into an imperial pint, the Yulesmith with slightly hazy amber with a huge, meringue like khaki head, which is slow settling and rocky, leaving lots of foamy lace. Head is so thick (over 1/2 the glass) it forms a hocky puck like hunk of foam in the middle of the skim from the carbonation streamers 1/2 way through the glass! The color is darker then I'd like for a hoppy beer (although I don't mind amber), otherwise I'd give it a 5.
Check that, I just had two hunks of foam close like pincers on my lip when I took my last sip, and I'm really not that intoxicated, this head is unreal!!!!

Smell is sticky citrus hops for sure, but mainly lots of sweet and spicy biscuit malt, like fresh gingerbread. I really dig it, and see how it works for the holidays, but I can see it being way to rich for some.

Taste is very rich malt, and not as bitter as the nose suggests, lots or sweet caramel malt, with a spicy, super boozy, albeit clean finish. It's funny how much I normally find DIPAs to be to light on the flavoring and heavy on the bittering hops, but this one can use a *slight* more bittering. I'm drinking this fresh, I'm sure it really falls apart with a few months under it's belt. Still, it's pretty good.

Mouthfeel is on the thicker, syrupy side, although not as heavy as it may first seem, but with a fair amount of chewiness.

Drinkability is rather high (keep it cold), it's an interesting seasonal but a nicely done west coast red. If you don't mind them to fruity, rich or hoppy, merry xmas!

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2009 02:41:06 | More by ccrida