AleSmith My Bloody Valentine - AleSmith Brewing Company

beagle75

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft served in a pint glass at Tustin Brewing Co. Since I was unfamiliar with this beer, the server described it to me as a "hoppy red".

A: Hazy deep reddish-brown with less than one finger of off-white head. Moderate lacing remains.

S: Weak spicy hops accompanied by little else. I expected more malty richness in the smell. This beer looks like it should smell much bigger and better than it does. The one caveat I can offer is that this beer was served too cold (as all but the cask seem to be at TBC).

T: Fairly balanced, with hops and malt components blended to the point that neither really stands out over the other. There's nothing aggressive about the flavor here, but it probably won't disappoint either. That said, I guess I was expecting a bit more aromatic hops to define this beer.

M: Medium body and low/moderate carbonation are appropriate for the style.

D: This beer is good overall, with the qualities to please drinkers with varying tastes. I would choose it over a hoppier beer to accompany a meal, since there is less aromatic hops here to get lost in the mix than in a typical IPA.

In a comparison of this beer with "hoppy red" offerings such as GF Hophead Red and Rogue Dry Hopped Red, I think this beer just misses the sweet spot. Stood alongside standard ambers such as Mendocino Red Tail, BP Calico, and AV Boont, it is a very strong offering.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2010 05:38:20 | More by beagle75

halo913

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-18-2013 14:05:00 | More by halo913

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-18-2013 04:19:12 | More by megamass

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.96/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Great as a red ale. Really good hoppiness and not overdone, with chocolate in the secondary to give it an added dimension. Very good drinkability. Bottle from Campone's, well worth the $12 and email to keep aside for me.Hoppier than its scent. Above average mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:56:17 | More by northyorksammy

Zbeetleman

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-15-2013 04:59:27 | More by Zbeetleman

Dave_Treat

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

05-14-2013 01:40:10 | More by Dave_Treat

IPeteA91

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

05-12-2013 23:14:09 | More by IPeteA91

SalMineo

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.7%

05-06-2013 15:37:14 | More by SalMineo

BillRoth

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

04-30-2013 02:06:25 | More by BillRoth

Devilman

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-27-2013 23:09:04 | More by Devilman

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

04-26-2013 23:52:49 | More by spycow

IrishColonial

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

04-26-2013 22:34:42 | More by IrishColonial

readbaron

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

04-26-2013 21:38:48 | More by readbaron

Rhettroactive

Virginia

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-26-2013 01:44:16 | More by Rhettroactive

billab914

Virginia

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-26-2013 01:15:47 | More by billab914

Lare453

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

04-24-2013 01:30:13 | More by Lare453

tbeq00

California

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-22-2013 03:11:12 | More by tbeq00

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

04-20-2013 15:01:01 | More by drgonzo2k2

2beerdogs

California

3.25/5  rDev -19.4%

04-19-2013 05:15:13 | More by 2beerdogs

cvm4

Mississippi

3.86/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - Pours a subdued red mahogany with brown highlights. Two finger light tan head.

S - Citrus hoppy goodness with light caramel malts. I'm not picking up the cocoa/chocolate notes though.

T - Good malt base with caramel/toffee entwined. I'm picking up cocoa midway through then it fades into a bitter citrus ending.

M - Creamy and medium carbonation with medium body.

O - An above average red ale that delivers on all fronts.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 23:24:59 | More by cvm4

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Bomber split with friends. Big thanks to BA anotherjoe for gifting me with as an extra in a recent box exchange. The brew appears a mahogany to burnt amber color with a finger of khaki head. A full wall of webby lace sticks to the glass.

The aromatics are quite fruited seemingly from a mixture if alcohol notes and hops. A mild chocolate note is present before more of an herbal to dank backing of more hop character.

The flavor of this brew suggests raw cacao or green nib quality with a fruity alcohol and floral hop aspect just like the aroma suggests. Some toasty grain to molasses persists into the aftertaste. Overall not bad.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Such a strange and unique combination of characteristics but decent enough to pay a visit to if given the opportunity. I am appreciative of the chance to try this but I probably would not have it again if I had other options available.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 18:00:28 | More by stakem

juliusseizure

New York

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%

04-15-2013 01:23:56 | More by juliusseizure

Cdunk11

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-12-2013 23:37:38 | More by Cdunk11

Omensetter

Illinois

3/5  rDev -25.6%

04-10-2013 03:18:47 | More by Omensetter

mattafett

Iowa

4/5  rDev -0.7%

04-07-2013 22:04:09 | More by mattafett