AleSmith YuleSmith (Winter) Imperial Red Ale

4.2/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20

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.

Another great Alesmith beer, and a re-rate after over a year and a half for me. Very balanced and drinkable stuff.