AleSmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
San Diego, California USA

a-freak-ing-mazing. mike and i had this on our two year anniversary, coincidentally the one we had was from the 04 batch which is also when we got together :) anyway, lots of smooth rich chocolate malt, with a good dark coffee/mocha latte feel to it. there were hints of vanilla and the oak was pretty prevalent. the whiskey kind of hit you up front then faded as you tasted, instead of burning as it went down. very nice. this is by far the greatest beer i’ve had thus far...

RBSG DC 2006: Sampled side-by-side with a 2006 regular speedway. Dark brown body with a small, almost non-existent tan head. The aroma is starbucks mocha, chocolate, roast, light prunes, with no barrel showing through. Taste is bitter coffee, prunes, chocolate, vinous, roasted barley, very dark & rich, seems to be more dry than the regular speedway.

Thanks to thickfreakness for this 2006 bottle! Shared with MaltOMeal and thickfreakness. Pours a rich dark black color with a thick frothy deep mocha head. Nose was chocolate, coconut husk and toasted oak...wonderful. Flavor was a welcoming mix of rich chocolate, sublt oak notes and well integrated coconut flavors...and the mouthfeel is fantastic...thick and full coverage. This is truly fantastic, and the long lingering finish just makes this beer unbelievable. Thanks for sharing this Charles!

Rating # 700. Thanks zuluflyboy for the share. Pours dark brown with small, off-white head. Nose is bourbon, chocolate, roasted malt, alcohol, some spicy character, and earth. Flavor is exquisite: chocolate, bourbon, spice, vanilla, earth, alcohol, and coffee. Very balanced barrel-aged beer with so many subtle characteristics, that this is truly one to mourn when it is gone. Amazing beer.

Thanks to Springslicker for sharing this bottle with us at the Tennessee Spring(ish) Tasting! (2004,Bottle 84/228) Poured black with a tan head. Wonderful roast aroma of coffee, chocolate, hazelnut, and bourbon. The flavor found a delicious blend of milk chocolate, coffee, roast, and bourbon. Light alcohol but nicely masked and unnoticeable unless you really pay attention. Medium to full body, creamy texture, and a roasty coffee aftertaste. Unbelievable! I’m glad I have its close sister (bottle #86) in the closet to have again some time.

’04 Vintage shared by OhioDad at the last Columbuis tasting--another generous offering from the best Dad ever! Pours black with a tan head. Aroma is nice--lots of chocolate and roasted flavors. The bourbon is there--but not as strong as expected. Palate is perfect--creamy, rich and full. Taste is dominated by chocolate and roasted malts. There is some heat--but not as much as expected in a beer of this type. This is the most well balanced barrel aged beer I’ve ever had by a longshot! The aging only compliments the flavor of an already great stout--without dominating it. The best part is the cool bottle I get to stare at every day...

No better way to celebrate review #500 than to break out the barrel-aged version of one of my favorite beers ever. Huge thanks to hoppymeal for the opportunity! 2007 bottle #316 of 447. Pours black but not completely opaque as hints of mahogany show through the edges. The head is one-finger tall, very bubbly and remains a swirl of small bubbles and a ring for the duration, leaving traces of lacing. The aroma is exceptional. The bourbon is present up front but is supported by dark roasted malts, bakers chocolate and a whiff of coffee (not nearly as dominant as in the regular version). The barrel presence is evident with a bit of vanilla. All of these things seem to come together into one cohesive aroma. The taste has the sweetness of the chocolate and some dark fruits up front before the dark malts and roasted coffee step up in the middle. The finish is big on vanilla and bourbon and leaves an alcohol warming as it goes down. The mouthfeel is very smooth and medium bodied for the style with less carbonation than I remember in the regular version. This is a fantastic beer though I dont think it quite measures up to the regular version to me. Either way, its not to be missed. Thanks again to Derek for his (continued) generosity!

Rating #600. Thanks to Eyedrinkale for bringing and sharing this at the Yeha, even if you weren’t especially conscious at the time. 2002 vintage, bottle #15/115. Poured black with a small brown head. Aroma of roasted coffee and heavy whiskey. Flavor is predominantly whiskey, with coffee hanging around backstage, reemerging with greater intensity towards the finish. Slick oily body. I think the whiskey may overpower the coffee flavors a bit too much for my taste. Good, but I prefer regular Speedway.