AleSmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout

Pours a dark black color with a mocha colored head. Head diminishes to only a ring around the glass. Smell of coffee and soft bourbon, maybe some hints of chocolate and oak. The bourbon is nicely balanced in their, it’s not overpowering as so many other barrel aged stouts have been. Taste is simply exceptional. Roastiness adds a nice touch to the dark chocolate and bourbon. Hints of vanilla and oak, but I am once again impressed on how well the bourbon is integrated. It’s like a soft, smooth, high quality bourbon barrel was used; it’s not harsh at all. A little less than full bodied, with a soft amount of carbonation. A pure joy to drink, I am forever greatful for being given the opportunity to try this.

Bottle from 2002 - Very dark brown body with a red brown edge, small beige head; Coffee, caramel, dark malt and lots of alcohol in nose; Super smooth body with a very, very little soft carbonation, bitter sweet with a great balance and a pleasant alcohol burn; Long greatly evolving finish, great alcohol burn, hoppy bitter, hoppy aromas and lots of barrel vanilla like aromas. Great....but actually a bit disappointing. Thanks Chris!................Bottle from 2004 tasted blind 7-4-6-3-12=3.2 - Black body, big bubbled light brown head; Very milk chocolate soft nose, a very little cardboard and a fruity Bourbon like sourness; Soft texture, slightly fruity almost acidy, slightly burnt bitter; Medium long bitter finish with lots of roasted aromas, cocoa bean and lots of fruity Bourbon aromas.

Bottle thanks to Chuck, 2004 #11 of 240. Poured a lovely shade of black with just a dusting of beige head.. loose ring of head and a mahogany glimmer in the light. Aroma was somewhat sour with rich chocolate and espresso.. warmth brings out some very wonderful stuff.. drier oak and some sort of liqueur that I can’t place, but love emerge.. lots of oak comes out, and this was some great stuff!

Flavor kicked it up a notch for me.. the roasted coffee is very well-accented by a wonderful barrel presence (bourbon, oak, and vanilla rock it well!).. drier oak and some almost smoked darker fruits ride through the long finish.. just a magnificent treatment from the barrel!! Warm and full-bodied on the palate.. integration of the barrel-aging was rock-solid.. just a touch sour, but great all-around!

2004 Vintage Bottle 95 of 228. Drank the whole damn thing by myself. Very nice aroma of bourbon, choclate and vanilla. Taste was very smooth with a huge roasted malt and bourbon in the back. I’ve been saving this bottle as my house warming gift to myself and it was worth the wait.

I saved this rating till #900. OH MY GOD. 2004 batch bottle #5 out of 228. Split this with kmfdm91 at O’Briens in San Diego back in September. What a beer. Thick aroma. Maple sugar, caramel, vanilla, and chocolate. Strong taste. The alcohol is certainly not masked. Very rich. Coated mouthfeel. Roasted malt, coffee, caramel, and chocolate. Great balance. Definitely the best stout I have ever had, and I was so blessed that O’Briens had it. What a treat.

I would rate this a perfect 5, but that can’t really be. What can be said about this beer other than wow. Had it on tap and it was amazing. Best beer hands down I’ve ever tried, just great stuff....

Bottle. #182 of 2004 vintage. Pours a black body with a medium, rocky, mocha head. The aroma consists of heavy maple sugars, bourbon, smoke, and earthy oak barrel. Very smooth, delicate, barrel-imparted flavours. Toasted caramel, chocolate, and raw coffee beans. Very drinkable considering how full and rich this stuff is. Some hints of alcohol nearing the finish. Awesome stuff!
Sampled at the Pizza Port 12 Hour Belgian Beer Party on March 24, 2007. Sorry about your bottle, Clark!

My 500th!!!! Shared with a big thanks to LeopoldStoch. Pours a deep black color with a brown head. Aroma is malty, woody, vanilla, some coffee and raisins. Flavor is a nice woody vanilla, roasted malts, and coffee. Great beer just glad I got to try some.