AleSmith Horny Devil - AleSmith Brewing Company

clvand0

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a copper color with a small head that sticks around for some time. The aroma is comprised of an orange/corriander feel and sweetness. Smells great. The flavor is very malty and sweet with some spices (corriander/orange) and a bit of grainyness. Extremely well crafted beer. Loved this one and I'm looking forward to the other AleSmith beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2004 02:39:00 | More by clvand0

SheepNutz

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

750mL bottle poured into a pint glass (no tulip-style glass present, boo!). It pours a medium amber-red color with two fingers of head. There is no lacing on the glass. The smell is sweet and fruity, very inviting. A little spicy and a little citrusy. The taste is sweet and malty, with some fruity characters. So complex I can hardly describe it. The body is fairly thick and strong. The drinkability is deadly. Great stuff! A shout out to clvand0 for making my brew day a little bit better.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2004 04:05:08 | More by SheepNutz

Wildman

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured a copper amber color and formed a small bubbly off white head that left trace lace as it subsided quickly. A small amount of carbonation is present. A nice aroma of malt, hops, coriander and plums. The flavor consisted of both malt and hops with background of corinader with some sweet fruity undertones. The body was slightly creamy and the finish a touch astrigent, yet bittersweet. Not a bad beer, but a bit pricey.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2004 02:13:40 | More by Wildman

garthwaite

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on tap at Father's Office in Santa Monica. Lighting wasn't great, but this looked to be a faded orange with a long lasting bubbly white head that laced gently down the tulip glass. First and foremost in the aroma is coriander...lots of coriander. Swirling it around a little & trying to get past the coriander (which I like) allowed me to pick up some some additional scents of sweet orange liquor and rock candy. In the mouth, this ale really burst with flavor. More coriander across the top of the flavor profile, but not as dominant as in the nose & complimented gorgeously by more subtle spices, candied sweetness, & deep ripe fruit (banana, lemon, & orange). Some mild earthy hops are present in the background & contribute to this brew's complexity. Subtle, but warming alcohol evident throughout. Medium bodied with a very dry finish. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2004 19:53:08 | More by garthwaite

CRJMellor

Arkansas

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy, glowing amber/orange with a very interesting color. Almost a neon hint to it.
Aroma of heavy candy sugar and coriander as advertised also picked up some depp orange and lemon zest. Hint of grain also present.
Flavor of depp matly and candy sugar his with some grain and a the advertised spicy, coriander. Very nice taste.
Mouthfeel is smooth and malty like a classic Belgian style should be.
Drinkability is excellent. Very true to Belgian style. Another Alesmith classic.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2004 02:10:29 | More by CRJMellor

silenius

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Not much of a head on this beer that should have a big rocky one. Head was almost non-existent and quickly disappears after I swirl. Beer is a warm golden yellow with hints of orange. Slightly cloudy.

Smell is moderate yeasty funk, coriander, light spice, canned pears, apple preserves, and orange marmalade. A slight toasty oak as well.

Taste probably warrants a little more than 4.0, but not a 4.5. Canned pears, oak, honey, oxidized marmalade and did I mention the spicy coriander. They were a little heavy handed with that here.

Mouthfeel is moderately heavy, but the carbonation keeps it from getting too thick feeling. Overall, If I had to guess, I'd say it is more like a Tripel than a Belgian Strong Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2004 01:55:11 | More by silenius

meathookjones

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

This one came in a very cool looking 750ml capped bottle. In the goblet this looked a cloudy golden orange color with a small white head that dropped to a light bubbly cap. Very nice lacing was left around the goblet as it was consumed. The nose was filled with spice, coriander I am guessing along with a slight sweetness. The taste was very similar as a fruit sweetness was backed by spiciness and a bit of alcohol. There was also a slightly bitter aftertaste as well. Mouthfeel is full and rich, as most Alesmith offerings are. Overall this is a very interesting beer that is tasty but the drinkability is hindered by the over use of spice as is wears on you by the end of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2004 19:51:25 | More by meathookjones

Rastacouere

Quebec (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Glorious looking bottle Mondial saturday gathering at tiggmtl’s. Thanks a ton to Captaincougar for his legendary generosity Amber yellow, clear, light off-white head. Fruity aroma, yeasty coriander, orange, pears, alcohol and ginger. Pleasant enough, but I’d like some funkiness in the yeast, or something farmy. Palate is also moderately yeasty with more fruity notes (lime, pear). The cookie malt feels a little stale though, like a fruit juice and the balancing bitterness seems a bit restrained. Alcohol burn is considerable. Top notch alesmith mouthfeel though, full bodied with nice medium carbonation, creamy. I like the fruitiness, but don’t find much else to contemplate.. Slightly disappointing in that regard.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2004 22:10:39 | More by Rastacouere

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazed pale appearance. Dark golden. Very little head. Slight off white collar. Lacing is spotty. Whiffs of alcohol, corriander, a little doughy yeastiness and spice come across my nose. Sweet aroma. The sweet corriander and orange hit the palate first, but it is quickly washed away by the sting of ethanol. But the alcohol blends into the nice biscuity maltiness and doughiness of the beer. Yeast properties are pretty big. A little fruitiness. Some baker's yeast. Phenolics. Pretty nice, eclectic flavor profile. The mouthfeel is lightly carbonated. And the body is about medium. Good drink.

Thank's for the horny beer Mr. Bum.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2004 04:05:17 | More by Bighuge

jonnylieberman

California

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a champange bottle a beautiful copper. Very bright. Very little head, very little lacing.

Smell: Yep, that's coriander. Loads of it. A little malt and some alcohol is present. A little bit of peach perhaps.

Taste is great. This is what Belgian beers in Belgium taste like. Sweet and spicey. Definate plum/prune type of thing going on. Alcohol is the aftertaste.

Mouth feel is just beyond... I mean, talk about warming. The medium body is deceptive. Alcohol all down your throat. Almost bournon like. Warming is an understatement. I love it.

Note: 11% per bottle unlike the 10% listed above. Definately going to pick a bottle (or ten) and age it. Yums...

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2004 04:02:27 | More by jonnylieberman

Crosling

Colorado

4.72/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Another superb beer from Alesmith.

Poured a light peach. Nice head. Some lacing.

Fantastic nose loaded with banana esters, pears, mandarin oranges, sweet malts and lots and lots of coriander.

Delicious flavor. Mango, pineapple, peanut butter, green grapes, black peppers, banana and coriander throughout. This was one awesome tasting beer. Fluffy in the mouth and quite lovely. I want more.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2004 04:28:08 | More by Crosling

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served in the green 750 mL bottle into a goblet. The color is hazy golden, with a bit of wispy head. The smell is a very strong coriander. The taste is dominated by the coriander spicing, with a bit of tripel sweetness and alcohol. Mouthfeel is average. As for drinkability, probably wouldn't have too many more.

A bit too dominated by the coriander to be easily enjoyable, but still an interesting experiment. Not great and not something I'd really seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2004 03:30:19 | More by beergeek279

Jables

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a hazy and bright orange. With a beautiful frothy white head.

The smell was good but not too good. Spicy yeast ala belgian witbier but much sweeter. Candy sugar also evident on the nose.

The flavor is rich and fruity with spicy notes. Dried apricots, peaches, with coriander and some nutmeg.

The mouthfeel is rich, heavy, and creamy. The alcohol is more and more evident as it warms.

Overall, a great beer for sitting and sipping during those terrible movies that your significant other insists you watch on Valentine's Day. A special thanks to Gusler for this brew!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2004 23:30:34 | More by Jables

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Horny Devil has an orangey/golden color, with some haziness (without even swirling in the sediment from the bottle; that'll be later...). The head is a sturdy 1" of fine, tight, off-white colored bubbles which last and last. It does thin down a bit, but maintains at 1/2" for the duration of quaffing. Carbonation within consists of a plethora of minute, slow-moving bubbles heading top-side in an endless procession. Lacing on the sides is fairly decent too! All-in-all, this bier looks lovely!!! The aroma has lovely suggestions of fruit, with some peach, mango, and other tropical styles thrown in. A smidge of peppery spiciness is also present. Body has a medium feel to it; just the right amount of heft for this style. The abundant carbonation makes for a bubbly/creamy/foamy feel on the tongue, yet without the bite, or roughness, of some biers. The flavor is loaded with tropical fruit, making for a "dee-li-shus" mouthful of bier! I pick up some mango, peach, a touch of orange and other citrus notes at the outset of tasting. Malt present is of the bready/crackery variety. Near the finish, I get some mild pepperiness and yeasty spiciness. (Swirling in the yeasties near the finish only enhances the spicy characteristics). Though having eaten prior to this quaffing session, I still can feel a warming glow within my stomach from the ABV, listed as 10% on the bottle. This is a lovely bier, and 25 minutes after starting and about 2/3's through, I can feel the alcohol. Mmmm....good stuff! Big thanks go to a great westcoast BA, drewbage1847! Vielen Dank, und Zum Wohl!!!

overall: 4.35
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4.5

684

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2004 20:50:58 | More by Bierman9

freed

Oregon

4.65/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Many thanks to weefishheads for sharing this. It was a large, nicely decorated 750ml bottle. About as attractive an item can be with horny painted on it. Poured, it shone pale yellow, a haze due to the sediment suspended in it. A very slight wisp of foam graced the top, but it was brief.

The aroma was ripe of apples and orchard. Yeast contributed greatly to the smells, though it was not overwhelming.

The taste was marvelous. mild pale malts, gala apple yeast and delicate spice combine to create a very subtle and pleasing drink. The near puree of sediment brush across your tongue as you drink, enhancing the experience greatly, and further suggesting fresh pressed apples.

Though a strong Belgian, there were not overtly strong flavors or sensations. It came across as a much lighter beer, and I was surprised to learn it was so highly alcoholic. I can't wait for next thanksgiving to share this at the table.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2004 01:32:11 | More by freed

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Golden honey tone with a suprisingly thin white head leaves specks of lacing quite disappointing appearance. Aroma: Rich complex honey tinged fruit tones tropical fruit like some pineapple and mango type flow. Taste: Very sweet with the alcohol leaving it's mark on the palate very heavy in the plethora of flavor going on here with rich syrupy notes of pear, mango, and pineapple comes a dry finish. The sweetness is this beers primary flavor attribute but also one that cuts back on the drinkability. Mouthfeel: I would say medium bodied ale with a lot of texture from the syrupy fruit a bit cloying due to the sweetness. Drinkability: Very tasty and flavorful however the lack of carbonation takes away from the crispness turning into a strong alcoholic syrup, it's better than that but I am quite disappointed from this offering from Alesmith. The IPA, ESB, and X were fantastic so far just a lot of rich flavors take away from the drinkability here.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2004 21:51:55 | More by WVbeergeek

Gueuzedude

Arizona

2.8/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

No real head on this beer. It is a very clear golden color. There is a bit of weird aroma emanating from my glass, I am not quite sure what it is though. It tastes a bit cidery. It is thin bodied, lightly alcoholic in the finish, and there is a light sweetness running throughout. I detect an astringent mustiness as well. This really needs to be highly carbonated, this is just lightly carbonated. Does this get better? It must, right? Not too interesting at all. So disappointing coming from this brewery, it is in fact a drain pour for me, I have much better things in the fridge waiting for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2003 14:57:25 | More by Gueuzedude

winomark

Missouri

3.4/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Clear pale gold with a miniscule white head.

Aroma: Citrus and spice notes. Some faint estery components also.

Taste: Quite interesting. Can taste the coriander, but also a strange candy/sugar/sweet something. Malt and any hops are well hidden.

Mouthfeel: Slightly sweet and syrupy, but pleasant. Some flavor I can't describe; maybe vanilla?

Drinkability: Oddly enouhg, a very enjoyable brew, especially on Halloween night. Not what I expected at all. I like it, but I don't know why.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2003 13:27:56 | More by winomark

hyuga

North Carolina

4.63/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Interesting pour, couldn't get as much of a head out of this one as I usually expect from Belgian pale ales. The head that did form settled quickly. Nevertheless, it's a nice looking beer, golden with a red hue, accented by lots of ascending bubbles. Huge peppery spiciness in the aroma, followed by a little lemon and coriander. A bit estery, small amount of tart apple and some dried fruit. A bit yeasty. Sharp and zesty on the palate. Smooth and malty sweet at the start with spicy pepper on the edges of the tongue. Candi sugar is detectable here. Spiciness increases as it hits the middle, and a bit of dried fruit shows up here as well. I'm getting some banana too. Lemony and sharp near the back, with hoppiness showing up right before the finish. Pepper and coriander all the way through. Spicy and dry finish. Excellent take on the style. I love peppery spiciness in beers. There aren't too many of these brewed in America outside of Unibroue's, and this one is right up there with the best. Another impressive offering from Alesmith, a brewery that definitely lives up to the reputation given to it by the many beer lovers who speak so highly of it.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2003 07:13:14 | More by hyuga

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I just had this for the second time, and I enjoyed it both times. Certainly a unique, tart taste. Cloudy, almost orange hue. Decent sized head, but not huge. Some retention, little lacing. Orange taste makes you pucker. Smooth and drinkable, alcohol hidden well. I never knew what coriander was, but I assume it adds to the flavor here. Nice beer, well worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2003 20:36:33 | More by JohnnyDuvel

beerguy101

California

4.58/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2000 Version.Medium orange color. Medium head. Aroma is coriander, orange and malt. VERY Smooth. Coriander and orange flavor. Nicely balanced. Creamy smooth sweetness. Very tasty and fruity. Amazingly smooth. Hides the alcohol very well. Nice beer. Ages very well. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. YUMMY beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2003 19:11:34 | More by beerguy101

jcalabre

California

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Originally sampled on 23 July 2002. The cork was harder to get out than it should have been. That problem aside, this reminded me of a grand cru. Poured w/ a frothy white head, and had a beautiful, complex flavor. It's a hazy golden color, but don't let that fool you into thinking that this is a simple beer. It has some very complex flavors: banana, spices & others. Any serious beer drinker needs to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2003 12:33:55 | More by jcalabre

Gusler

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

As it sets in my Belgian Triple Glass, a slightly hazy golden orange color, the head pertinent, spumous in texture, an a winsome light tan in color, as it dissolves, the lace formed is a nice satiny sheet to cover the glass. The nose a bit plummish, sweet malt, lightly crisp and fresh, a decent sniffer, with the start fruit sweet, thickly malt, the top middling in its feel to the palate. Finish is vinous, temperate in its acidity, the hops perky in their spiciness, very dry and lingering aftertaste. The 11 percent ABV makes itself known as it leaves a trace of bitterness upon the palate, and a nice “Tummy Warming” sensation.

Alesmith is my second most favorite California Brewery, just a tad behind Stone, two find Breweries that are a must visit when in Southern California, which is on my schedule for the fall.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2003 16:15:21 | More by Gusler

aracauna

Georgia

3.18/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Fairly thin golden amber. Thin fizzy head needs a rough pour just to exist ephemerally. Aroma is good - coriander, peaches, a bit of pipe smoke - but a bit harsh. Flavor continues with spice, bit of alcoholic heat but edges on cloying with excessive sweetness. It also has an excessive butteriness that adds to the cloyingness. To me, this is just another Alesmith beer that I can't see what the fuss is about.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2003 23:39:07 | More by aracauna

MJR

Missouri

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a dull orange with gold highlights. Clarity is pretty good, with just a bit of chill haze and the yeast left in the bottom of the bottle. There's not much of a head to speak of, even with an aggressive pour, just a small ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.

Smell: Strong coriander presence with lots of honey. A bit vinous... There's a fair amount of fruitiness, of which pear is the most obvious component. Slight peppery spiciness. Hint of earthy yeast, with a shot of alcohol.

Taste: Slighty sweet, with lots of coriander, honey, and pear showing up first to the party, followed by more spicy fruit and a touch of nutty, bready yeast. Hefty alcohol undercurrent, which delivers a nice warmth. A touch of a phenolic character shows up late. Not much activity in the hop department, just a faint bitterness that provides a bit of balance. Interestingly enough, the flavors are integrated well, but not so much that they aren't easy to pick out one by one.

Mouthfeel: This brew has a medium mouthfeel that tends to feel a bit syrupy due to the lighter carbonation. Very round and full. Ends dry from the alcohol.

Drinkability: Fair drinkability. This is a very well done brew, but it's high alcohol prevents it from being anything but a nightcap.

Another great beer from Alesmith...not as good as the other ones I've had, but still a winner...

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2003 22:13:43 | More by MJR