YuleSmith (Winter) - AleSmith Brewing Company

ejhansen7

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

A: Nice thick solid head, amber red with some slight shades of brown showing up, able to see through the glass, lots of really small bubbles showing good carbonation

S: smooth yet getting a slight alcohol scent coming out follwed by the burnt winter spices

T: initially a malty brew, fading off into a good selection of hops slightly bittter with aftertones of holiday spices

M: malty, lots of flavor,good amount of carbonation, dry burnt finish

O: a very good holidday brew, great flavors without getting to fancy and overdoing it with added spices and such. good balance of hops

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 05:20:48 | More by ejhansen7

Beerbuddy21

California

4.35/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought at Total Wine in Northridge, CA where they actually had last years version as well(or at least what looked to be the design of last years bottle.) Chose the newer of the 2.

A- Great mahogonay color, can see through it just barely if you hold it up to light. Head is 2 fingers high and retains for a long time. Sticky and stays on the side of the glass when you drink it. Served in a New Belgium tulip glass

S- Smells of hazelnut, dry molasses, and a little alcohol. Piney smell tells you there's a nice hop presence

T- Burnt caramel balanced by strong hop character of pine. Wonder what kind of hops they use? Whatever it is the malts and hops are very well balanced and very nice for a sunny, but cold day. Had a Hop Head Red from Green Flash before this and they have a lot of similarities, but Yulesmith has a stronger malt bill

M- Very nice, well balanced on the palate

The summer Yuletide is one of my favorites and now this one joins the ranks. Perfect hop head choice for the colder season. Would def get again and adds to the respect for Alesmith

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 22:39:15 | More by Beerbuddy21

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

dirtylou

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber

appearance: festive silk-screen label, poured in a hilliards can-pint, dense ruby body, thick sticky foam with great retention

smell: pungent - sticky pine resin, gooey caramel, malt

taste: oh my - nice punch of tropical fruit, festive pine resin, thick caramel malt structure, sugar-glazed ruby red. I like this a lot - no surprise, though. Alesmith is solid stuff.

mouthfeel: light biterness, nice coating mouthfeel

overall: very nice winter seasonal

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 03:06:39 | More by dirtylou

draheim

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz into a tulip. Pours a rich caramel amber w/ a frothy khaki head that leaves behind big sticky clumps of lace.

Aroma is dank and resinous hops and strong caramel malt. Pretty heavy fusel alcohol too.

Taste is sticky, chewy, resinous. Heavy on the piney hops and caramel malt. Mango, dried apricot, nice boozy heat.

Mouthfeel is chewy and sticky w/ a lingering bitter aftertaste.

Overall a big but well-balanced DIPA. A little more caramelly than I generally like, but still a tasty winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 05:47:38 | More by draheim

DocJitsu

California

4.6/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear classic amber with a light taupe head. Aromas of caramel and grapefruit. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and creamy. Sweet caramel cut by the tart (sweet) grapefruit. Perhaps a little eggplant. This is an amazing beer. Despite very limited cooler space, I took a bottle home.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 01:57:34 | More by DocJitsu

Duff27

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Short beige head on a dark red body. Clumpy lacing.

Spicy hops on the nose.

More spiciness, almost like a cinnamon? Pine. Would put at 8.5%abv.

Well carbonated, full mouthfeel.

Very good red ale here. Highly hopped, setting it apart. Recommended. Thanks for the share kawilliams81.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 01:16:29 | More by Duff27

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

kawilliams81

Illinois

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

2012 bottle, thanks evilc! Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a dark amber, brown with a huge 3" head. Big waves and spots of lacing.

S- caramel, rye?, citrus and pine.

T- toasted amber malts, caramel, biscuit, citrus and pine bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Slightly dry yet has a syrup feel to it as well.

O- very nice imperial red. Has enough citrus and sweetness to balance to bitterness. Glad I have 1 more bottle!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 01:20:56 | More by kawilliams81

VaTechHopHead

California

4.55/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 2012, hit shelves only a few days ago.

A - Rich ruby/amber red colored with a huge foamy white head that lasts. Very clear and no visible carbonation. What I imagine a red/amber ale should look like.

S - Simply amazing. It reeks of ultra fresh hops, very citrusy and slightly floral. Just a wonderful bouquet of aromas coming from this one even though it's mostly hop aromas. Fantastic.

T - The malts kick in a lot more in the flavor to take away from the hops, but in a good way. The hops are Earthy and mellow while the malt lends a rich caramel flavor, great balance. The bitterness is way up there but well hidden. Leaves a semi-sweet taste on the palate, very enjoyable.

M/O - Medium body that is very well carbonated. The aftertaste doesn't last long and is mostly alpha acid bittering and some malt, finishes semi-dry on the palate. Overall this beer is wonderful, one of the best amber/red ales IMO. If you can find it fresh, drink it and drink it often! The only gripe I have is that it comes out too early to be a "holiday" ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 07:56:01 | More by VaTechHopHead

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up an "old" bottle of this for 5 bucks at the house of 1,000 beers.

A - A nice level of carbonation with a 1/2 inch of mocha colored head and a hazy colored brown amber. Only thing off putting by me is the big chunks of sediment.

S - Smells like an old ale. Caramel, wood, and old citrus hops dominate. Really surprised that it smells moderately hoppy,

T - Damn it's holding up well! Not as "spicy" as other winter warmers but drinks like a well crafted barleywine. Even though the hops are old they are still bright and juicy. Caramel malts and a old wood taste to balance. Quite great despite it being at least 8 months old.

M - Medium bodied and quite good.

Overall I liked this one but am not sure if it's the summer or winter version. In one hand the cover art is of the "winter" version describing the end of year yet the ABV is only clocked in at 8.5% not 9.5% so did they change it last year? If so why no site update?

so confused...

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 01:35:50 | More by DrDemento456

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.63/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks Mrbubbler!

Appearance. Pours a hazy burnt-orange with almost 2 fingers of pale orange head.

Smell. Sweet caramelt and thick, resinous hops. Lots of tropical fruits and citrus with some oily pine sap.

Taste. Big sweet malts (but not at all syrupy), Nice sweet citrus fruits and some bitter rinds in the finish, maybe a little wood too. This is pretty frickin' awesome tasting (...way better than the smell leads on).

Mouthfeel. Medium-full body with just below medium carbonation. Slick and easy drinking.

Overall. I was all "Okay, old hoppy beer...". I know people say this ages nice, but man, this was amazing tasting. I fucking love it when a beer blows me away like this!!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 01:15:35 | More by Rutager

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

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Fluffy tan head, about one finger. Reddish brown body.

Nose is sticky hop-malt coalescence, basically an American Barleywine.

Taste follows the nose, the finish is grassy, piney (resiny?) hops. Large amount of malt to balance, but ultimately this is hoppy. Not too rough, but not exactly balanced.

Mouthfeel is pretty standard.

Decent beer, but it drinks like an American Barleywine, not an amber/red.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 01:26:51 | More by zaphodchak

Drinkerofales

California

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

Pours cloud copper, with a big fluffy light tan head that leaves a ton of lacing.

The beer gives off an aroma of caramel malt, plenty of piney hops, and a hint of booze. Just about right for a big hoppy imperial red.

Taste follows the aroma closely, lots of malt and hop. Very pleasing.

Texture is good, only a light sting on the front of the tongue, but otherwise, it drinks rather well.

Been looking at this for awhile, though it's 3 months past Yule, the hops don't disappoint, and with the malt, a good balance is made.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 23:27:16 | More by Drinkerofales

SHODriver

California

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

A: Pours a coppery color with a half inch tan head that recedes fairly quickly
S: smells caramelly sweet with some piney and slightly citrusy hop aroma
T: malty and caramel flavor up front with plenty of pine flavor and some spice. piney on the swallow with some redsidual caramel sweetness
M: smooth and full in the mouth with solid carbonation
O: A solid beer. it tastes kind of familiar but in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 04:48:56 | More by SHODriver

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2010 bottle sampled in late 2011. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a deep, somewhat murky red brown amber. Thin off-white head leaves a little lacing. Aroma is herbal hops, caramel malt, some citrus. Flavor follows, with citrus and piney hops, sweet and caramel malt. Alcohol is quite noticeable. The hops are somewhat muted, perhaps because this is six month old bottle. Medium to heavy bodied and creamy. Nicely made, but the hops seem tired and aged. Worth checking a newer bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 03:29:08 | More by LiquidAmber

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

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle. Thanks to BeerSociety for the trade. Served in my old faithful snifter. Bottle indicates this is the 2010 holiday edition. 

Pours cloudy ruby tinged brown. A heavy pour produces a quickly receding dark manilla head, then vigorous swirls produce a thin layer of bubbles. No lacing to speak of either, but an occasional bubble or two clings to the side of the glass. 

A delightfully fruity hop nose. Mango-like citrus, pine & strawberries (strange, I know but it was there). 

Despite being over a year old there is still a great hop bite. Bitter piney and citris hops. An almost pineapple and berry flavor. Fairly dry finish but it still has a moderatly drawn out bitter hop aftertaste. 

Medium thick body. Faint carbonation. Pleasantly sticky. 

I was initially dissappointed to see that I'd traded for the 2010 version but this turned out to be mighty nice indeed. Smooth and highly drinkable. The 8.5% abv is only barely noticable. I'd planned to drink half tonight & finish tomorrow but it was too good to stop drinking! If it's this good 14 months old, I'm sure the hop character in a fresh bottle would be absolutely phenominal. This is my second experience with Alesmith (the other being Speedway Stout) and I am thouroughly impressed. This comes highly reccomended & I hope to get my hands on more Alesmith brews in the future. Anyone out there want to send some to Georgia?..

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 04:30:27 | More by ThickNStout

tjkinate

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I absolutely loved this beer!

A: Large 2+ finger, off-white colored head that exhibits solid retention atop this completely transparent red bodied brew. Loads of lacing and the most I have seen from a beer in quite awhile.

S: Caramel and toffee are the most dominant scents, some grains poke through along with cherry notes. Hops are present, but not overwhelming.

T: Toffee, vanilla, fairly solid hop profile with great, albeit subtle, cherry and strawberry notes. Hops really begin to strengthen as the beer warms.

M: Medium/heavy bodied, creamy, moderate carbonation.

O: This tasted like a Barleywine brewed with cherries. I really need to get my hands on another bottle, just great and everyone who is a fan of Barleywine's should give this a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 00:08:24 | More by tjkinate

superspak

Michigan

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

22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, 2011 bottle. Pours slightly hazy red orange color with a nice 2-3 finger dense khaki head with fantastic retention that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some decent lacing on the glass; with a good amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of big grapefruit, pine, orange, herbal, floral, caramel, biscuit, toasted malt, and some spicy alcohol. Nice, well balanced, and interesting aromas. Taste of big caramel, grapefruit, biscuit, herbal, orange, toasted malt, and holiday spice notes. Decent amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, herbal, caramel, toasted malt, and spiciness for a bit. Fantastic overall balance of flavors with a nice malt backbone next to the hoppiness. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and nicely smooth mouthfeel. Easy to drink, but it still a bit of a sipper. Alcohol is well hidden with only a warming on the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent imperial red style. Smooth drinking and great flavor balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 07:56:29 | More by superspak

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours dark amber to brown with little visible carbonation and a finger tall tan head. There is good head retention in this beer and decent amounts of lacing.

S: The aroma of this beer includes hints of pepper, piney hops, citrus hops, and sweet malts.

T: The flavors are much more in the piney hops and citrus hops up front followed by a nice maltiness. There is some bitterness but it is not overpowering.

M: Medium bodied with light carbonation and a little dry on the finish.

O: A nice beer on a cold day but not something that I would put in my regular rotation of favorites. Pleasant but not fantastic...

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 22:14:32 | More by dbrauneis

jeffmart22

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a clear amber color with a one and a half finger head that dissipates. Light lacing and a little alcohol clinging to the side of the glass.

A - Smells a little hot. Pungent spicy hop aroma and alcohol with some sweet malt undertones. Hard to find any holiday spice type of aroma.

T - Starts with a sweet caramel flavor. A slight hop bitterness come in but it taken over quickly by a warming feeling from the alcohol.

M - Medium body. Flavor duration is medium . Finishes dry.

O - A good warming beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 01:04:00 | More by jeffmart22

SeaOfShells

California

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 vintage 22 oz. poured into Widmer hef glass

A: Deep amber body with 2 fingers of fluffy, tight bubbled, cream colored head. Some carbonation streaming up the glass, but not much. As head recedes, it leaves sticky lace along the side of the glass

S:Extremely balanced scent here with equal parts hops and malts. Up front it's a strong hop presence which yields to sweet caramel and toffee, and bread. The hops are piney, citrusy and spicy. There is a slight alcohol scent deep down, but you have to dig.

T: Taste follows the scent. Earthy, piney hops up front, and creamy, sweet malts on the middle of the tongue. It finishes with a biting hop bitterness that lingers for sometime. A slight alcohol warmth during the swallow is pleasing here.

M: Nothing too special here. A medium body with light carbonation.

O: I haven't had the summer version, and this is the first bottle of the winter version I've had. I would definitely get this again. A fantastic winter offering from Alesmith, which is one of my favorite breweries. I think I'll hold onto a bottle to see how it develops.

Cheers,
SOS

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 03:30:32 | More by SeaOfShells

Bung

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. Picked up in Ohio on the way back from Christmas.
Orangy/amber pour, very nice large rocky light tan head. A nice looking brew.

Aroma, Malty citrus, leather, peat. Some spice, almost Belgian like.

Taste, Great blend of malt and hops. There are quite a bit of yeast like notes, rye seed? Some spices, but only accenting not sweet like a cookie. Some toasted malt, leather, peat very light dark chocolate.

Lively but the carbonation is fine. Feels nearly creamy. Mid bodied, real nice. Would buy this again.

One of the better Reds I've had in quite some time.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 20:32:29 | More by Bung