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AleSmith IPA

AleSmith IPA - India Pale Ale (IPA)

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 Percentile 
100
overall
Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)

San Diego, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
9744.1/5.04.09/5.07.25%100Shaker, Tulip
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Commercial Description:
AleSmith IPA used to be known as "Irie Pirate Ale." However, some nasty patent attorneys think the name is too similar to another brand, so we had to "cease and desist." It's a darn shame, but it beats an obnoxious legal battle, in both expenses and Excedrin. Don't worry though, we won't change the beer (which is a MUCH better IPA than that "other" brand). It was conceived as an American-style IPA to satisfy the yearnings of the most die-hard hopheads. Its high alcohol content may catch you unawares if you're not careful, but it's hard to resist once you've tasted it. Appearance: Deep golden to light amber color, and a nice beige head, with good retention when properly served. Flavor: Starts off with strong citrusy, resiny flavors, balanced by a nice malty sweetness, then fades to a dry finish with a lingering hoppiness and a faint hint of plums and black cherries. Aroma: Strong piney-citrusy character, with vanilla in the background. Mouthfeel (body/texture): Smooth, medium-bodied. Feels warm in the mouth from the alcohol.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 aplusbreaks (330), , Colorado, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Mar 20, 2009  
22oz bomber thanks to Douglas88. Pours orange with a nice creamy off white head. Aromas of biscuity malts and some pineapple, other citrus from the hops. Flavors very much the same, very hop forward with a nice malt backbone. Tasty stuff, I wish it was available here. Thanks again Douglas.


 andersand (271), Malmö, Sweden
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/517/20
Mar 20, 2009  
This does actually deserve it’s place as the top IPA in the world. It has the traditional American IPA profile done right, or, not just right, perfect! Extremely piney with a complex hop character, a good dose of caramell to back it up and a perfect, bitter finish. Drinkability is also just about right, fantastic.


skmikeg (70), Poway, California, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/518/20
Mar 14, 2009  
Pour a nice copper color with a lingering white head. Aroma of alot of hops, pine, and citrus. flavor heavy on grapefruit, with some pine and orange notes as well. is actully pretty smoooth and drinkable. the high abv is not that noticeable. overall, this is a wonderful IPA and belongs among the top three IPA’s in the world.


 beerfest5 (128), Simsbury, Connecticut, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/510/104/519/20
Mar 11, 2009  
After four years living in san diego while in the navy, im really pissed at myself for not knowing about this beer. had to order it from another dist. because Alesmith doesnt dist to CT. but its unbelievable, what else can i say that everyone else hasnt, for a fan of IPA, this is the zenith. well worth the trouble of ordering.


 daleharshman (181), San Diego, California, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/104/519/20
Mar 10, 2009  
Most people will say that the best thing about living in San Diego (aka "America’s Finest City") is the weather. While that’s true, I also like to point to the fact that both Alesmith and Ballast Point breweries are on my drive between home and work. That means its very easy to get growler-fuls of this amazing beverage which is truly one of the best things about living in this city. Pours from growler a murky amber-orange with one finger of lingering white head. The aroma is great -- fresh hops with notes of pine and citrus at just the right level, not overpowering. From the nose the fresh citrus carries right across, mainly grapefruit with some orange. The small amount of sweetness makes this a very well balanced IPA. Goes down fresh and smooth with some lingering bitterness. I could drink this all day, and with most of that growler let I think I might.


stoutbiiliards (17), Ohio, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/515/20
Mar 10, 2009  
golden orange color with normal head. nice hoppy aroma citrus pine pineapple maybe. taste is citrusy all the usual ipa flavors overall nice ipa little pricey against other comparable ipas


 danielcurtis81 (879), San Diego, California, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Mar 8, 2009  
Bottle Pretty fresh from the brewery. Pours a deep gold with an orange glow. Beautiful thick cream white head and some quick moving smaller bubbles. Nose is full of fresh hops. Floral, sweet citrus, and a lite pine. The nose made my mouth salivate a bit. Flavors have a nice intense pine resin with some orange flavor. Nice sweet malt background. Hints of vanilla and fruit too. Mouth is on the upper side of medium a little warm. Excellent IPA, one of the best for sure! Super clean, crisp, refreshing, and smooth.


 TearsforBeers (171), Ohio, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/516/20
Mar 4, 2009  
Beautiful beer, clear deep golden amber with white head and excellent lacing. The aroma great, sweet malt, citrus, grapefruit rind, pine, dank hops, maybe some mango. Flavor is quite nice, hops and malt are very balanced. There’s a flavor story going on: first hop bitterness and piney grapefruit, followed by some malt sweetness, and finishing with bitter hop after taste. Despite the bitterness, there’s no harshness. Mouthfeel is creamy, great, very nice carbonation level. Overall, a great IPA, though sometimes it seems like it’s technically perfect, but less inspired than some other beers.



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