Alesmith Speedway Stout - Vanilla - AleSmith Brewing Company

gregshead

California

4/5  rDev 0%

01-16-2012 21:50:54 | More by gregshead

ehammond1

California

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap

Alesmith Brewing Company
San Diego, CA

Speedway Stout has always been one of the most beautiful imperial stouts, and this one is no exception. Black, thick, and oily with a moderately sized brown head that leaves the glass messy.

The vanilla shines through in the aroma, along with the coffee and roast elements from the base beer. However, the vanilla character seems a bit overly sweet and perhaps a bit artificial.

The flavor is too sweet for my tastes, and I significantly prefer the base beer. The vanilla flavor is a bit artificial and overly sweet, though the base beer still shines through nicely.

Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation. This beer always has great mouthfeel.

An interesting take and I'm glad I tried it, but I prefer the base beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 18:24:49 | More by ehammond1

pmarlowe

California

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at AleSmith tasting room during 2012 CBC/WBC week.

A: Pours an impenetrable brown, with a dark film of foamy brown head which recedes to a ring and some swirls layered on the surface of the beer. The head is exceptionally fine and persists for the entire glass. Looks like the head on an espresso. The lacing coats the entire wall of the glass.

S: Vanilla notes meld with a prominent roastiness and coffee in the background. Definitely vanilla forward but balanced with enough of the base beer to stay interesting.

T: The vanilla dominates the other flavors, reminiscent of a frosting and leaning towards an extract flavor, with dark coffee in secondary, leading into a long finish with kind of an extract-y flavor. The vanilla doesn't really meld with the coffee.

M: Medium carbonation and full body. Leaves a little sticky residue on your lips.

O: The vanilla doesn't quite integrate or elevate the base beer, but it's still pretty enjoyable. Part of the problem is the high expectations going in for a vanilla version of one of the best stouts out there.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2012 04:34:20 | More by pmarlowe

HopHead84

California

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11/05/10

On tap at O'Brien's Night of a Million Zillion Speedways.

Appears near black with a creamy light brown head.

The aroma is a blast of vanilla. After taking a few sips, I set this down and it was momentarily lost amidst a sea of Speedways, but it was easily found by the huge vanilla character. Coffee and dark chocolate are evident, but mere appurtenances to the powerful vanilla notes. Coffee is very restrained. This reminds me of the toasted coconut version, in that it's dominated by one note, but it has the luxury of being dominated by one very good note, so it's very nice. The flavor is more balanced than the nose, with an even mixture of vanilla, coffee, and dark chocolate. Finish displays more vanilla and a mild coffee astringency. Mouthfeel is creamy, carbonation is good.

Overall: Exactly what the name suggests (or blatantly states), a vanilla version of Speedway that is quite enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2010 20:55:11 | More by HopHead84