AleSmith IPA
Many thanks to cmaruschak for this one. I've been really looking forward to popping this one open...too many beers, too little time. Pours a nice cloudy copper color w/ a tremendous amount of light tan head. Very foamy and produces tons of loose, sticky lace...very nice to look at. Wow...I've smelled double IPA's w/ less aroma than this one. Tons of fruity, bitter hops smack the nose...oranges and subtle grapefruit mainly dominate. Taste is incredible...again, similar to a double but without the alcohol. It is over 7% so I can faintly detect it, but by no way distracting. Great balanced brew...hefty malt backbone and a fantastic bitter finish. Mouthfeel is above average...drinkability is a no brainer. Ah, they say Alesmith may make it's way to MA soon...I believe I could get used to having this one around.