2beerguys beer blog

Latest Reviews: Yulesmith & Holy Sheets

Our latest 2Beerguy tasting adventure took us on a trip visiting an old friend and a new friend. We started with the YuleSmith – Strong Ale – 9.5% (from AleSmith Brewing Company) and Holy Sheets Uber Abbey Ale – Abby Dubble – 9% (from Clipper City Brewing). Upon inspection of the bottle, we determined that the YuleSmith was the Christmas offering from January of 2007. The Holy Sheet Uber Abbey Ale from clipper city brewing was purchased recently.

Note: AleSmith makes two varieties of the YuleSmith. The Imperial Red Ale is the Christmas offering and the Double IPA is the summer offering.

Clipper City Brewing Company’s Holy Sheet Uber Abbey Ale
Official Description:
“Just released our newest seasonal – Holy Sheet. From the centuries-old tradition of Belgian Abbey monks comes our Uber Abbey Ale (9%). Aromatic and very full bodied, the beer will pour a deep burgundy in color and feature a rich, robust depth of malt character. Grab a line – Holy Sheet! – or you might be swept overboard.” — Clipper City

2Beerguys Review

The Uber Abbey Ale pours a ruby red hue with minimal head that dissipates down to nothing, with very little carbonation. As quickly as the head forms, it’s gone leaving a very still body behind. No lacing whatsoever as the beer swirls around the glass. Aroma is subtle with some sweet malts and soft alcohol, with a little bit of sour on the back end. Initial taste is sweet but quickly moves to a sour alcohol finish that lasts for quite a while. Medium bodied, there is minimal carbonation in the mouthfeel, with some creamy textures, very smooth and very balanced, very enjoyable on the palate.

Style Abbey Dubbel
ABV 9%
Source 12 oz bottle
Overall 19/30

AleSmith Brewing Company’s YuleSmith Holiday Ale (Winter)

Official Description
“During the summer, YuleSmith is transformed into a big, hoppy, Double IPA. The enormous load of hops requires a substantial malt background to create just the right balance for a Double IPA. Lighter in color, summer YuleSmith is available around the 4th of July and is packaged in a red, white, and blue bottle. For the winter season, YuleSmith is brewed as an Imperial Red Ale. This version is maltier, more balanced, and darker in color than the summer version. Although quite malty, big hop flavors and aromas are abundant making this an unforgettable winter warmer. Winter YuleSmith is packaged in traditional holiday red and green. Original Gravity Alcohol by Volume 1.085 9.5%” — AleSmith.

2Beerguy Review

The YuleSmith pours a light garnet hue into a very carbonated body with tremendous bubble action on the glass, supporting the massive frothy light-brown head. Body clarity is decent given the bottle conditioning. Thin wispy lacing lines the glass as the head subsides, and the body has darkened up a bit to a more ruby/amber color. Aroma is of potent hops with some piney notes up front with some grapefruit in the background, much more reminiscent of an IPA than a typical Strong Ale. Malt character is strong as well with some dark bread notes. Initial taste is very well balanced with equal hits of malt and hop bitterness, and this balance continues through the finish despite an increase in both malt and hop strength with a dominant citrus hop taste. Medium bodied, almost to the point of chewy, with lively carbonation and a slightly oily film with a smooth malt finish. High alcohol content is masked somewhat by the smooth malt finish. Delicioso!

Style Strong Ale
ABV 9.5%
Source 22 oz bottle
Overall 24/30

In summary, we enjoyed the YuleSmith (Winter) and the Uber Abbey ale. If you spot them in a store, pick them up and let us know what you think.

Sean
2Beerguys.com

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