AleSmith X - AleSmith Brewing Company

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to BdubleEdubleRUN for this generous extra in a recent trade.

From a bomber with no freshness dating into a SA sensory glass, this brew pours initially with only an inch of liquid in the bottom of the glass and 6+ fingers of mountainous fluff composed of very large bubbles. Even carefully pouring down the edge of the glass didn't help tame this brew which is comical because the writing on the back of the bottle instructs you to do a careful pour in order to leave the sediment on the bottom of the bottle. Well, unfortunately simply popping the cap off made the carbonation surge to the surface and that disrupted the yeast more so than a careless pour. After 5 attempts of letting the head die down and re-pour do I finally have more than 10 ounces of brew in my glass. It appears a golden yellow color that for the most part is clear except for some particulate floating through the body. A constant stream of bubbles rises to the surface endlessly creating support for the already excessive head. The cap of foam is tireless, it maintains more than a finger of refreshed head that is composed of large bubbles. There are pillows of thick lace coating the glass, its unlike almost anything i've ever seen before.

The aroma of this brew is fairly bold with hop characteristics smelling grassy with light citrus and some sulfur across the middle. As the brew warms, it picks up a bit of a fruit aspect somewhat reminiscent of pear with a mellow cereal grain sweetness to the back. There is a persistent green yeastiness about this brew that seems a bit out of place but it isn't dominating so it is tolerable for the most part.

The taste of this brew is grassy and bitter with herbal hops that are not nearly as bold as the aroma led me to believe I was in for. However, the bitterness is mellow and enjoyable leaving the window open to taste not only the hop inclusion but also the mild cereal-like grain character through the back. It finishes crisp with a tingling warmth that seems a bit exaggerated for only 5%. As the brew warms, there is a light fruit flavor almost like pear skins coupled with some green yeastiness.

This is a medium to light bodied brew that is excessively carbonated. It took some effort and a number of swirls to try and tame this brew to be able to enjoy it. Even after constant swirling, the bubbles continuously stream off the etching on the bottom of the glass. The alcohol is quite bold for 5%, it is not hidden at all. Overall it is not that bad of an offering, I enjoyed the opportunity to give this brew a try but I would be hesitant on trying this brew again.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 00:35:28 | More by stakem

Dirksen

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-24-2013 18:38:40 | More by Dirksen

jakecattleco

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-21-2013 17:49:16 | More by jakecattleco

vidisad

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

05-21-2013 05:08:30 | More by vidisad

IP-EH

California

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-19-2013 21:59:44 | More by IP-EH

SadMachine

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-19-2013 04:59:28 | More by SadMachine

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-19-2013 00:09:15 | More by jakeox

AL89BR

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-18-2013 19:46:35 | More by AL89BR

megamass

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

05-18-2013 04:21:49 | More by megamass

Zbeetleman

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%

05-15-2013 05:06:32 | More by Zbeetleman

Gatordaddy

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

05-13-2013 06:38:17 | More by Gatordaddy

TheBadger0289

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

05-11-2013 01:24:48 | More by TheBadger0289

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

05-10-2013 14:23:10 | More by twenty5

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-09-2013 18:40:26 | More by JustinMatthew

MADPolo

Florida

3/5  rDev -24.1%

05-07-2013 17:16:28 | More by MADPolo

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

a - A very clear bright yellow with a 1/2 inch of foamy head that sticks to the sides of the glass. Not as much lacing as the IPA but it's forgiven.
S - A very nice toasted grain malt is lead with a juicy citrus and tangerine hop bitterness. Nice!
T - Not sure why this isn't rated higher the malt, grains, and hops are all in perfect sync. I love how easy drinking this beer is. Seriously.
M - Light to medium, very crisp and refreshing. Man this is tasty.

Overall I am blown away since I never had Zombie Dust this may be the best pale ale I ever got my hands on at the moment. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 04:46:43 | More by DrDemento456

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Bright tangerine orange with a good clarity reveals a subtle rise of effervesce. Things are topped off by a flour white head that had a frumpy, cottage cheese consistency. Good size head at 1.5 fingers it holds it's ground rather well, with a mostly lasting appeal throughout the drink. Moderate stickage and coverage rate on the collar.

S: Fresh wet orange-citrus, fresh pine scents backs things up with a well established level aroma for a pale. Sweet notes come from the grains, fresh citrusy-piney with orange grinds is the highlight here.

T: The flavor is crisp upfront, toasted grains and pine establish themselves on the opening impression. Tangerine, and oranges grinds with an ever so slight dry hop presence. Orange-pine citurs fade off the tongue. The flavor is sharp, well defined, and balanced nicely between the malts and hops.

M: Crisp mouthful, good malt depth, nice tingle of carbonation with some frothiness.

O: Bright appearence, bright well defined flavor, crisp drinking experience with a light and dry toasted malting. Whats not to like. Very nicely balanced the abv is just right for a few more.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 00:05:41 | More by beerthulhu

jmmy3

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-01-2013 05:46:02 | More by jmmy3

BillRoth

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1.3%

04-30-2013 02:11:32 | More by BillRoth

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

04-29-2013 06:06:03 | More by Kelp

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

04-27-2013 12:52:16 | More by DrunkinYogi

KiMiRaiK

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

04-21-2013 20:33:57 | More by KiMiRaiK

jjd315

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

04-13-2013 13:11:40 | More by jjd315

Hugonaut13

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%

04-13-2013 03:16:07 | More by Hugonaut13

Cattlehound

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

What can I say, after a long night in a hot San Diego kitchen there is not much more life saving than an Alesmith X! An extremely drinkable bottle conditioned xtra pale ale does it all with a great combination of hops and malts, and if you get the chance to visit the brewery it's tucked away in north San Diego county, but full of great people with great beers on tap for tasting!

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 23:25:09 | More by Cattlehound