Alesmith Speedway Stout - Brewer's Blend With Vietnamese Coffee - AleSmith Brewing Company

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this ambrosia on tap and the (surprisingly small) brewery two weeks ago. This is from notes.

Pours inky, oily, pure black. The dark brown head lasts forever and coats the glass in sheets of foam. The aroma is of decadent milk chocolate, loads of roasty malts, astringent cocoa, earthy coffee beans and a piney bitter background. A lot going on there. The taste is like a Mochaccino - Sweet, chocolatey flavors with a fresh roasted, spicy, acidic coffee flavor. Like a milkshake with fine coffee added. The mouthfeel is super thick with a light carbonation. Hop and dark malt bitterness mixes with the milk chocolate sweetness in the long finish. Alcohol is shockingly well hidden for 12% (according to the tap list).

This is a sublime Imperial Stout. So balanced and nuanced, sweet but the opposite side of cloying. Coffee flavors are perfect. Roastyness is perfect. A good hop character to balance the malt-fest. This is a must try. Impeccable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2012 01:37:08 | More by CAMRAhardliner

pmarlowe

California

4.6/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewery.

A: Impenetrable brown, darkish film of brown head which recedes to a ring and some swirls layered on the surface of the beer. The head is very nice looking, like espresso.

S: Oak and vanilla are quite noticeable but still on the subtle end. The Vietnamese coffee smells phenomenal. Sooo good. Lots of chocolate and coffee, rich flavor without being cloying or over the top as some coffee beers are.

T: Barrel, vanilla, oak, bourbon are way subdued, almost hard to pick out over the rich Vietnamese base. Some nice red fruit as well, a welcome addition for balance. Masks the alcohol much better than the regular Brewer's Blend.

M: Medium carbonation and full body. The carbonation adds a velvet smooth mouthfeel to the full body. Leaves a little sticky residue on your lips.

O: A bit more barrel would have elevated this to sublime, but the lack of it does no harm to an already excellent Speedway variation.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2012 05:58:25 | More by pmarlowe

illidurit

California

4.75/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap on the RBSG bus. Good way to start the day... Pours black with root beer edges and a fluffy light-brown head. Smells like brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Deep cookie dough, really vivid and very different from the garden variety Speedway. Flavor has elements of chocolate syrup and semisweet chocolate, along with a lovely toasted oaky note that dries out the finish. The coffee is strong and lends a solid bitterness. Really a fantastic beer, a hit in every aspect.

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2012 05:55:04 | More by illidurit

scottfrie

California

4.4/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pitch black with a finger of dense, deep mocha colored head that stuck around quite a while leaving great lace down the glass.
S: I can smell this beer from afar. Huge notes of coffee come through along with strong vanilla, cream, sugary sweetness, and chocolate. Sweet bourbon, roasted malt (or coffee) and some caramel poke through the onslaught as well, and at times I get scents akin to crème brulee.
T: Tastes like I’m drinking coffee with a splash of cream, a few pieces of rock sugar, chocolate syrup and bourbon. Vanilla comes through strongly as well, and the finish is warming and boozy. The aftertaste has a nice coffee bitterness. Very rich.
M: Very thick bodied, viscous and chewy mouthfeel, warm finish, boozy, with tight soft carbonation.
O: A huge sipper of a beer. Rich and decadent are an understatement. Very drinkable for being so bold.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 00:29:11 | More by scottfrie

womencantsail

California

4.5/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Alesmith for providing this keg for RBSG 2012.

Pours a viscous black with a finger of brown head. Rich coffee aroma with plenty of milk and dark chocolate. Notes of vanilla and cream with some caramel sweetness, a bit of bourbon, roast, and oak. The flavor is quite decadent with tons of chocolate and vanilla flavors and even more coffee. A nice touch of cream and sugar with some oak, roasted malt, and molasses as well. Really excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 15:58:42 | More by womencantsail