Style: Barrel Aged Coffee Stout

ABV: 12.0

100/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	5

AleSmith Brewing Company Barrel Aged Speedway Stout

What the brewers say

“We’ve matured our Russian imperial stout in premium bourbon barrels for up to one year. Notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon add another level of complexity to this beer’s flavor profile of chocolate, Ryan Bros. Coffee, and roasted barley.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Coffee and vanilla, bourbon notes up front with a touch of sweetness and a bit of alcohol in the nose. Some dark fruits, vanilla, and bourbon. Mild barrel flavors emerge as it warms—almond, vanilla, toasted oak.”

Flavor: “Rich chocolate and coffee flavors dance on the tongue, hitting all flavor centers. Medium barrel characters do emerge above the chocolate/coffee copulation, but the complex malt profile is the feature. Caramel and coffee are intricately bound with oak tannins to create this gorgeous palette of flavors. Finish is spicy, earthy, and sweet.”

Overall: “Awesome. Unreal. The coffee was insanely good and this beer is amazing. Dark fruit and chocolate and smooth coffee in perfect balance. Coffee and barrel character create a truly unique and incredible experience. A delicious beer that everyone should seek out.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: The Dark Side (Winter 2014) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

AleSmith Brewing Company Speedway Stout

**Aroma:** “Some bittersweet chocolate notes up front with a pleasant coffee note. Dark and roasted malt notes. Coffee is restrained but pleasant.” **Flavor:** “Very smooth malt roast character. Malt sweetness of caramel, some toffee, slight vanilla, and coffee that rounds out the beer in the finish with a slight sweetness. Great chocolate profile and a nice balance of malty sweetness and delicious roast and coffee/dark chocolate character. A wonderfully sophisticated chocolate character that hides the booze well.” **Overall:** “Well-executed coffee stout that exhibits great coffee flavor on top of solid base beer support. Chocolate and a touch of dark fruit character lend a nice complexity. Alcohol is present but not overwhelming. Excellent body—has a nice fullness without being heavy. A delicious beer that was well designed and well executed.”

Boochcraft Apple Jasmine

“Orange peel, lemon meringue, lime, apple, and green tea in the nose create a clean, fruity, and inviting aroma. The apple flavors are supported by a cinnamon-like spice and a tart, citric acidity that balances the sweet spice. The package comes across like an autumn-spiced version of the style.”

Sidras Bereziartua Sagardoak Bereziartura

“Great nose: _Brett_-like goaty funk, earthy, leathery with hints of cinnamon. Dry, well-crafted with funky complexity and nice depth.”

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