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AleSmith IPA

AleSmith IPA

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 Percentile 
99
overall
An India Pale Ale (IPA) brewed by
AleSmith Brewing Company

San Diego, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Regional Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
7154.09/5.04.08/5.07.25%99.9 Shaker, Tulip P  Stats

Commercial Description:
AleSmith IPA used to be known as "Irie Pirate Ale." However, some nasty patent attorneys think the name is too similar to another brand, so we had to "cease and desist." It's a darn shame, but it beats an obnoxious legal battle, in both expenses and Excedrin. Don't worry though, we won't change the beer (which is a MUCH better IPA than that "other" brand). It was conceived as an American-style IPA to satisfy the yearnings of the most die-hard hopheads. Its high alcohol content may catch you unawares if you're not careful, but it's hard to resist once you've tasted it. Appearance: Deep golden to light amber color, and a nice beige head, with good retention when properly served. Flavor: Starts off with strong citrusy, resiny flavors, balanced by a nice malty sweetness, then fades to a dry finish with a lingering hoppiness and a faint hint of plums and black cherries. Aroma: Strong piney-citrusy character, with vanilla in the background. Mouthfeel (body/texture): Smooth, medium-bodied. Feels warm in the mouth from the alcohol.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 lb4lb (1340), Austin, Texas, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/515/20

Oct 14, 2007    Updated: Oct 28, 2007
Thanks so much to Fordest for the bottle and my 400th rating.
Amber pour with a huge white meringue like sticky and lasting head. Smell is sweet fruity hops at first, with some citrusy notes and then hops turn more earthy. Taste is a quite sharp hoppy bitterness and flavor. Some light sweetness, but I personally would like to see just a touch more to balance out the big hops. After pouring the end of the bomber, it clouds up and is a nice hazy amber, and the body seemed to thicken up a bit. The alcohol is well hidden, and although this isn’t one of my top 2 or 3 favorite IPAs it’s still quite good, strong in hop flavor, and one worth trying.


 ditmier (176), Boise, Idaho, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/518/20
Aug 21, 2008  
2007 Bottle - Pours dk orange with jagged and yeasty off white head, aroma is all citrus and light malt, slight pine, flavour is what most expect from an IPA, huge bitter hops, huge malts, lingers on the back end, best IPA i’ve tasted so far...


Smokepot23 (3), Garden Grove, California, USA
does not count click to see why this rating of AleSmith IPA does not count
5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/105/510/105/520/20
Aug 18, 2008  
This beer pours a very light copper, with about an inch of the prettiest off white head you will ever see. This is by far the clearest IPA you will find and tastes as clean.The aroma is very floral, like fresh cut flowers with just enough of citrus to balance perfectly. The upfront is so smooth, it leaves you wanting more. The flavor changes at least 4 times, as it starts from the front of your tounge to the back of your throat. Take the time to drink this beer at different temps, as it wil show the complexity of the different available flavors that this beer represents. I hope this beer does not ruin all other IPA varietties for you.


Swolf3 (16), Elkton, Maryland, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/59/104/518/20
Aug 13, 2008  
Pours a dark orange color, with nice head. Massive amount of flavor, along with the taste of malt. One of my favorite IPA’s.


 StFun (289), Indiana, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/518/20
Aug 11, 2008  
A Delicious, top notch beer. For a regular IPA, it is in a small class with Two Hearted and a few others. Pours a deep dark orange. Creamy and bitter at the same time. Lots of flavors dancing around in this one, strong flowers and pine, but also a real malty character. Hints of vanilla and dark fruit in the background. Slightly boozy, but nothing that detracted from the flavor. Awesome!!


 kempicus (159), Wellington, New Zealand
4.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/59/105/520/20
Aug 9, 2008  
Tried thanks to Jason! Pours an orangey light brown with a lovely fluffy white head. Tangelo oranges on the nose, it has an amazing soft palate with a full body. Huge overstated flavours which are also balanced at the same time, it has hints of vanilla and oak with an extremely orangey finish almost like a Fullers 1845 on steroids. This beer is what I’d imagined an IPA in the 18th and 19th centuries would taste like….obviously more refined and not subject to a sea voyage…but an absolutely amazing beer!




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