AleSmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout

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

Bottle at RBSG Grand Tasting, July 2006. 2004 bottle. Pitch black. Unfortunately I didn’t get to taste this alongside the regular version (that had to wait until late in the evening when I remember sitting with bottles of Speedway, Dark Lord and Apis Jadwiga in front of me that nobody was fighting over) but perhaps the coffee is a little less intense. Although that could be as much the extra age (don’t know how old the regular version I tasted was) as the barrel aging. There’s a little vanilla from the barrel age but its such a big beer that its going to resist too much influence (which is no bad thing). To be honest, I’m not sure that the barrel-aging improves the beer too much. Otherwise, not really much point in repeating what others have said many times before. Big and heavy. Loads of coffee. Boozy and alcoholic. Very intense. Me like.

Bottle #79/235 from the 2006 batch. Rating #4000. Thanks to MaltOMeal for this one! Pours a black color with a small tan head. Has a roasted malty coffe and chocolate aroma with some hints of bourbon and vanilla and some oak hints. Strong roasted malty chocolate and coffee flavor with some hints of vanilla and dark fruit. Raosted malty dark chocolate and molasses finish with some woody vanilla hints in the aftertaste and also some bitterness in the aftertaste. Lovely!! Thanks agian Bill for this bottle.

2004 Bottle. Head is initially small, frothy/fizzy, brown, mostly diminishing. Body is opaque black (flashlight tested), bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (roasted/burnt grain, coffee (stale?), nut shells, dark chocolate), with notes of cardboard, wood, vanilla. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly to moderately bitter. Finish is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, creamy/watery texture, lively/soft carbonation, moderately alcoholic. As expected, much less enjoyable than the regular Speedway. Dulled, oxidized, not particularly enjoyable in comparison.

Chocolate, roasted malts, wood and whisky in the nose with hints of licorice and alcohol. Thick dark and viscous-looking with thin tan head that recedes to cover. Whisky dominates the sweet chocolate with dark roasty bitterness again with hints of licorice. Alcohol never apparent in the flavour. Huge, full-bodied and smooth in the mouth. Fairly warming. Very well-crafted and a pleasure to drink. Bottle #66/115 - 2002 vintage. Enjoyed with hopsrus, MartinT and Rastacouere.

Thanks JohnC, for bringing this 2006 version to Noogfest ’08. The body was perfectly black with a khaki head. The aroma was malty with whiskey and vanilla notes. There was also some rich pancakes. The was strong vanilla with some oak and blueberries. There was also some almonds and coffee. Well done.

Big Ups to Blake for opening bottle #13: Opaque with a a sticky oily film on my Ratebeer tulip. The aroma has notes of bourbon, vanilla, wood, plum, prune, smoke, coffee, and some mocha. The taste has a pop of coffee bitterness, burnt smoky malt and alcohol that attacks the palate before a richer and softer chocolate and vanilla character smooths you over. The back end is earthy and lingers some ripened fruit before the long espresso finish. The mouth feel is oily, sticky and lush. While this is very very good, some may be in shock but I would rather have a regular nicely-aged Speedway over this. The BA version seemed to be TOO BALANCED with the coffee too muted, I am not joking.

bottle At Fins BIG thanks to WeeHeavySD for this one Had along side Caseys normal Bottle and for me the Normal was the better though neither blew me away ...Deep Deep black ... meaty roast malts light oak ... slightly sweet slightly salty ... lots of bourbon ... some vanilla ... bitterness in linger ... just didnt work for me... sweeter than the normal but vanilla tones are a bit high for me... REALLY glad to have shared this with two guys who enjoyed it more than me. I even think most of the Girls took to it better than me as well but since they dont rate they dont coun t:-)

Draft@O’Brien’s Pub: Dark black color with not much head on this pour. Aroma was strong with quite a bit of vanilla and bourbon right behind it. Some roast and coffee could be picked out underneath. Flavor again is big on the barrel. Almost covers up too much of the base. Full bodied. Nice mouthfeel. I want my own full bottle. Please.