AleSmith Brewing Company
AleSmith Brewing Company is a brewery from San Diego, California, founded in 1995 in Miramar. They are known for Speedway Stout, a 12% stout, and for strong ales with European roots. In 2008 AleSmith was named Small Brewing Company of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival.
- LocationSan Diego, CA
- Founded1995
- TypeRegional brewery
- Untappd 3.94 · 1.2M ratings
- At Hoptimaal0 in stock · 1 in total
In stock now 0
Right now we have nothing from AleSmith Brewing Company in stock. Below you can see what we had before; new beers from AleSmith Brewing Company show up here automatically.
Previously at Hoptimaal 1
Sold out. If a new batch is coming, you can ask for a heads-up on the product page.
Sold out
From a strip mall in Miramar to AleSmith Court
Skip Virgilio began his career in 1992 as head brewer at Pacific Beach Brewhouse, which has since closed. In 1995 he founded AleSmith in Miramar together with business partner Ted Newcomb. The first brewery was in a 3,000-square-foot strip mall and worked with a kettle meant for soup and open dairy tanks as fermentation tanks.
The early years were hard, because few drinkers knew the European ales Virgilio made. In 2002 Peter Zien bought the company from the founders. He was a homebrewer and first worked as a volunteer at AleSmith. In 2015 the brewery moved to Empire Street, today AleSmith Court, a 110,000-square-foot production building with an 85-barrel brewhouse. That is a lot bigger than the 17 barrels they started with.
Strong ales inspired by European classics
AleSmith makes craft ales inspired by European classics. Speedway Stout is the best-known example: a pitch-black 12% stout with chocolate and roasted malt, with coffee from nearby Ryan Bros. Coffee added. According to the brewery, this beer keeps maturing for years.
They also brew AleSmith IPA (7.25%) with grapefruit, mandarin and pine needles in the aroma. San Diego Pale Ale .394 (6.0%) is theirs too, made with the team of baseball player Tony Gwynn. Part of the proceeds goes to the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation.
In 2013 Zien said that half of their beers were 10% alcohol or more. According to him, that takes precision, because you don't make such beers by simply using more malt and hops. In 2008 they sent five beers to the Great American Beer Festival and came back with four medals and two trophies.
AleSmith at Hoptimaal
We used to carry a barleywine from AleSmith: AleSmith Rum Barrel-Aged Old Numbskull, in 47.3 cl and with more than 11% alcohol. This beer is highly rated on Untappd. We don't have it in stock at the moment.
You drink heavy, barrel-aged beers slowly and not too cold. Take the bottle or can out of the fridge half an hour before opening and pour into a small glass, so the vanilla, rum and malt come into their own. With hoppy AleSmith beers, such as the IPA, you go for fresh and cool instead.
Frequently asked questions
Where does AleSmith Brewing Company come from?
AleSmith comes from San Diego in California. The brewery started in 1995 in Miramar and since 2015 has been in a larger building on AleSmith Court, also in Miramar.
What kind of beer does AleSmith make?
AleSmith makes craft ales inspired by European classics, often with a high alcohol percentage. Well-known beers are Speedway Stout, AleSmith IPA and San Diego Pale Ale .394.
Can you store Speedway Stout?
Yes, according to the brewery Speedway Stout matures well and keeps developing for years. Store it cool and dark and drink it slowly, in a small glass.
