Beer of the Weekend #761: AleSmith IPA
Happy National Beer Day, everyone!
Tonight I was at Sweets and Zaza’s for dinner. When their kiddos were calmed and sleeping, we uncapped another bottle from my Colorado haul: IPA, brewed by the AleSmith Brewing Company of San Diego, California.
AleSmith IPA pours a cloudy, medium amber. A finger of eggshell-colored, bubble-spotted head leaves spots of lacing on the glass, a ring around the edge, and a bubbly skim. The aroma is enticing and citrusy, but a light, boozy edge foreshadows the slightly higher ABV. It is floral and piney with scents of orange, pineapple, tangerine, and maybe kiwi. The flavor is hop-centric with pine and floral notes. There are characters of orange, grapefruit, a little pineapple, kiwi, and tangerine. The tropical fruit is not as prominent as the citrus, which is a bummer because I like prominent tropical fruit. The alcohol is noticeable but not overwhelming or obtrusive. The bitterness coats the taste buds, lingering especially on the tonsils. The bitterness and slight booze are the stars of the beer, which is unfortunate. I was expecting better.
Fun facts about AleSmith IPA:
• Style: IPA.
• Price: $6.99 per 22-ounce bottle at Tipsy’s Liquor World on Alkire Street in Littleton, Colorado. Though I did not buy any beer to bring home while in San Diego, I bought a beer from San Diego in Denver. Go figure.
• Serving temperature: 45–50ºF.
• Alcohol content: 7.25 percent ABV.
• Food pairings: AleSmith IPA’s webpage says, “The beer’s citrus and pine notes pair well with fresh, aromatic herbs, citrus-based dressings, and Asian-inspired flavors. IPA’s refreshing bitterness and dry finish also help temper the heat of spicy foods and contrast the tanginess of farmhouse cheddars and spice blue cheeses.”
• IBU: 73.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
Tonight I was at Sweets and Zaza’s for dinner. When their kiddos were calmed and sleeping, we uncapped another bottle from my Colorado haul: IPA, brewed by the AleSmith Brewing Company of San Diego, California.
AleSmith IPA pours a cloudy, medium amber. A finger of eggshell-colored, bubble-spotted head leaves spots of lacing on the glass, a ring around the edge, and a bubbly skim. The aroma is enticing and citrusy, but a light, boozy edge foreshadows the slightly higher ABV. It is floral and piney with scents of orange, pineapple, tangerine, and maybe kiwi. The flavor is hop-centric with pine and floral notes. There are characters of orange, grapefruit, a little pineapple, kiwi, and tangerine. The tropical fruit is not as prominent as the citrus, which is a bummer because I like prominent tropical fruit. The alcohol is noticeable but not overwhelming or obtrusive. The bitterness coats the taste buds, lingering especially on the tonsils. The bitterness and slight booze are the stars of the beer, which is unfortunate. I was expecting better.
Fun facts about AleSmith IPA:
• Style: IPA.
• Price: $6.99 per 22-ounce bottle at Tipsy’s Liquor World on Alkire Street in Littleton, Colorado. Though I did not buy any beer to bring home while in San Diego, I bought a beer from San Diego in Denver. Go figure.
• Serving temperature: 45–50ºF.
• Alcohol content: 7.25 percent ABV.
• Food pairings: AleSmith IPA’s webpage says, “The beer’s citrus and pine notes pair well with fresh, aromatic herbs, citrus-based dressings, and Asian-inspired flavors. IPA’s refreshing bitterness and dry finish also help temper the heat of spicy foods and contrast the tanginess of farmhouse cheddars and spice blue cheeses.”
• IBU: 73.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
