AleSmith X - AleSmith Brewing Company

viverlee

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Is it fair to discount any review of this beer that says it “marks the spot” without any irony or self-awareness? I think so. But let’s do talk about the packaging. Bold, largely utilitarian, but not without a sense of style or dimension. I’m not asking for a facsimile of the beer, but there it is.

STYLE: American Pale Ale

ABV: 5%

LOOK: Pours a golden carrot with a head that’s billowy at first but soon settles to a creamy half-finger. Wee bubbles march purposefully from the bottom to the top, never breaking rank, never slowing, never speeding.

NOSE: Hoppy and lemony, almost IPA. Garden fruits and vegetables, mostly sweet corn husks and strawberries.

MOUTH: Bonfire of riches. Cucumber, celery root, pine, IPA citrus. The real draw is the soft butter and hardworking oils. The butter soothes while the oil coats the mouth, literally sticking around for the next pull, and maybe calling for it. The balance and finish remind me of Victory Hop Wallop, a DIPA for DIPA drinkers. To my surprise, AleSmith has packaged that profile in this typically lighter style.

Beeradvocate Rating: 89

ratebeer Rating: 97

Hayward Abbey Rating: 93

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 02:56:19 | More by viverlee

SadMachine

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

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

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 00:09:15 | More by jakeox

AL89BR

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 19:46:35 | More by AL89BR

megamass

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

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

Zbeetleman

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%

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

Gatordaddy

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

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

TheBadger0289

New Zealand (Aotearoa)

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

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

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-10-2013 14:23:10 | More by twenty5

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.5%

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

MADPolo

Florida

3/5  rDev -23.9%

05-07-2013 17:16:28 | More by MADPolo

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
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 +0.3%
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 +1.5%

05-01-2013 05:46:02 | More by jmmy3

BillRoth

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1.5%

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

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

04-29-2013 06:06:03 | More by Kelp

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

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

KiMiRaiK

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

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

jjd315

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

04-13-2013 13:11:40 | More by jjd315

Hugonaut13

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

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

Cattlehound

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +25.6%
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

MacStinson

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.5%

03-27-2013 04:44:22 | More by MacStinson

buzzy

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

03-21-2013 01:32:02 | More by buzzy

grahamboudreaux

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +20.6%

03-19-2013 13:16:40 | More by grahamboudreaux

Howlader

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

03-18-2013 22:38:21 | More by Howlader