AleSmith Double Red IPA

Beer Name: Double Red IPA
Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Co. (San Diego, CA)
ABV: 8.5%
How sold: 12 oz bottles; 22 oz bottles; on draft
Where bought: Total Wine & More (Vancouver, WA)

Price: $3.49 for 12 oz bottle

Date Bottled: October 4, 2016
Date Bought: February 11, 2017
Date Opened: February 16, 2017 
When brewed? Seasonal beer. Formerly known as Winter YuleSmith. Available during the winter months (usually November and December, but could be found throughout all winter months).
IBU: 80

Can't really see it, but it reads "BOTTLED ON OCT 4 2016"

What's on the Bottle: "Previously known as Winter YuleSmith, this warming, hoppy ale used to be available exclusively during the holiday season. But the popularity of this red-hued India Pale Ale grew to the point where sharing a limited run of the beer with our fans seemed insufficient. Our answer was to convert this crimson IPA into a seasonal offering to be enjoyed from the fall through the winter months. Caramel malt sweetness combines with citrusy highlights to bring forth a dry, highly drinkable beer that's simultaneously hearty and thirst-quenching. The holidays are too brief to contain this much flavor."

What's on the Website: "AleSmith’s Double Red IPA, previously known as Winter YuleSmith, offers up an intense hop aroma combined with a well-balanced, full bodied, caramel-malt sweetness. A variety of American hops burst with flavors of pine and citrus complimenting the substantial malt backbone to deliver a full-flavored ale with layers of complexity." Read more here!

Food Pairings: AleSmith suggests hearty stews and succulent roasts. See more here!

Awards: Gold Medal, 2004 World Beer Cup (Imperial or Double Red Ale)

Where distributed: As of February 2017, AleSmith Brewing distributes to 24 U.S. states and five other countries (Australia, Denmark, Japan, Scotland, and Thailand). See if AleSmith ships to your area!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured cloudy/hazy reddish amber into a pint glass. Frothy off-white to light tan head. Some lacing on the glass. 4.5/5

Smell (25%): Predominantly tropical pineapple and citrus, with caramelized sweet malt notes. 4.5/5

Taste (40%): Follows the nose. Tropical pineapple and citrus through the aftertaste. Caramelized and smoky sweet malt goes wonderfully. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium-bodied, some carbonation. Dry on the tongue. 4.25/5

Overall (20%): An outstanding IPA. It might cost more than its the popular AleSmith IPA, but Double Red is also a kickass pickup. At least with my untrained palate, I find similarities between this one and Modern Times Aurora Red Rye IPA. While AleSmith IPA is my preferred choice, Double Red is worth the buy, especially if you can get it fresh during the winter months. 4.5/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.475/5