Speedway Stout - Kopi Luwak
AleSmith Brewing Company

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From:
AleSmith Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
12%
Score:
97
Avg:
4.37 | pDev: 8.92%
Reviews:
81
Ratings:
546
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 03, 2018
Added:
Nov 11, 2009
Wants:
  428
Gots:
  74
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by tectactoe:
Photo of tectactoe
Reviewed by tectactoe from Michigan

4.3/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Enjoyed the toddy cat poop beer version alongside the regular and barrel-aged versions of Speedway, thanks to Kevin for sharing. The Kopi version pours an extremely deep shade of brown, appearing pitch black when it finally gets to the glass. This one seems just a slight touch lighter than the regular and BA Speedways, with a light tan head that perches itself on the beer and shows the best retention of the three.

To my surprise, the aroma is actually a little more muzzled and quiet than I would like. I was expecting a huge explosion and was just a bit let down. The aromas that I am picking up, however, are full of coffee big-time. And it's an extremely different and almost strange coffee aroma. I've never smelled Kopi Luwak coffee beans for myself, but if they smell anything like this beer, then they are very unique.

There is also a borderline acidic sweetness on the nose, much akin to apple skins or grapes. Not sure if this is a characteristic of the special coffee beans or not. One thing is certain - the aroma on this beer is undeniably unlike anything else out there. I think it would benefit if it were less acrid, but the underlying malt sweetness helps keep things in check.

The taste starts off with an almost harsh, bitter roastiness. I get the feeling that I'm drinking burnt, used coffee grounds, minus the grit and smashed beans. Very roasty and ashy, coming through with that Kopi Luwak uniqueness. The sweetness comes through on the palate as well, with that light apple skin flavor that quickly transitions into a deeper, darker licorice - much more suitable for this style of beer.

There is a nice balance of sweetness to offset the initial surge of bitterness, but in the end, the heavy roast comes back for seconds. The aftertaste is full of bitter and burnt coffee beans with a light ash and charcoal that scrapes the mouth. Some cocoa notes pop out here and there, but are nothing compared to the Kopi coffee flavors. Heavy body, creamy on the palate with the highest amount of carbonation between the three Speedways.

Wow, this beer was certainly different. Definitely tasty, unique, and roasted to hell, big-time. There really is nothing quite like it. But in the end, I think I'd have to go with the regular Speedway as my favorite. The balance on this one is a bit lopsided, but it's still a very delicious beer. In my honest opinion, maybe a touch overrated.
Feb 25, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by edthehead from Maryland

Dec 03, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by teamwiggum from Wisconsin

Nov 19, 2018
Photo of BeanBump
Reviewed by BeanBump from California

4.3/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Kopi Luwak has a bunch of hype surrounding it but lets be real, its animal sh*t coffee, right? Nonetheless, this is a great beer. Like most Speedway variants, this is a nicely balanced beer but what stands out to me is that the coffee flavor really comes through. I feel like a lot of "coffee" stouts just taste like...well, stout. No real coffee flavor to them. This one is different; rich, roasty, dark. Ive never had a cup of straight up Kopi Luwak coffee to compare this to but this is one tasty beer.
Jul 10, 2018
 
Rated: 4.39 by grapeshops from California

Apr 20, 2018
 
Rated: 4.42 by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland

Dec 12, 2017
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours black like the usual Speedway and with 3/4" brown head. Aroma hits you in all of the roasted coffee feels.

Taste a little more coffee than the regular Speedway. Hides the alcohol awesome as always. Usual stuff like a ton of chocolate malt. Tons of roast and shit. All the Speedway variants I've had are always good, but not exactly reinventing the wheel, they're all around that 4.5/5 range outside of the barrel aged ones. Which you know, is an amazingly high score for me.

Chasing it down isn't worth it though, just take ol' regular Speedway off the shelf instead of chasing it through BPT and pickup windows.
Jan 24, 2017
Photo of brians52
Reviewed by brians52 from Virginia

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is a very solid beer all around and appears to be improving very nicely with age! I am definitely looking forward to trying the barrel-aged version.
Jan 24, 2017
 
Rated: 5 by TheBlueJerzzzz from Virginia

Jan 22, 2017
 
Rated: 5 by Mpontiakos from Virginia

Jan 22, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by t2grogan from Arizona

Jul 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.42 by HoppyCrop from New York

May 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.46 by smanson56 from New Hampshire

May 23, 2016
Photo of Lochnessmonster
Reviewed by Lochnessmonster from Florida

4.63/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
I don't think I've had a bad beer with Kopi Luwak in it, and this delicious Speedway variant continues that trend. Wonderful coffee flavor, and the rich thickness of AleSmith's signature stout. Could drink 100 of these!
May 23, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by JMFP from Delaware

May 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.63 by kristinc from Canada (BC)

Apr 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.78 by Andy_Luft from England

Mar 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Mar 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.28 by 1424IpA from California

Mar 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.81 by sjstraub from Wisconsin

Feb 23, 2016
Speedway Stout - Kopi Luwak from AleSmith Brewing Company
Beer rating: 97 out of 100 with 546 ratings