IPA
AleSmith Brewing Company

IPAIPA
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From:
AleSmith Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American IPA
Ranked #80
ABV:
7.25%
Score:
94
Ranked #2,266
Avg:
4.23 | pDev: 8.75%
Reviews:
1,396
Ratings:
4,410
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 13, 2024
Added:
Jul 29, 2002
Wants:
  523
Gots:
  823
One of the all-time highest rated IPAs on RateBeer, AleSmith IPA is back for our 25th Anniversary and better than ever. Bursting with massive hop aromas of grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruits from huge additions of Columbus and Citra, this classic IPA is perfectly balanced by a healthy malt backbone and a smooth, bitter finish.

40 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by superspak:
Photo of superspak
Reviewed by superspak from North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 5/10/2016. Pours lightly hazy/cloudy golden orange color with a 2 finger dense and rocky off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Dense soapy lacing clings around the glass. Awesome appearance. Aromas of big grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pineapple, mango, lemon zest, orange peel, pine, light caramel, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Incredible aromas with awesome complexity and balance of juicy citrus/tropical/pine hops and moderate bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pineapple, mango, lemon zest, orange peel, pine, light caramel, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness. Good amount of pine/citrus rind bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of grapefruit, tangerine, peach, pineapple, mango, lemon/orange rind, pine, toasted bread, and floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of juicy citrus/tropical/pine hops and moderate bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitterness balance, and minimal astringent hop flavors lingering after the finish. Moderate dryness from bitterness, that increases through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, sticky/resinous, and fairly creamy/bready balanced mouthfeel that is awesome. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an insane IPA! All around incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of juicy citrus/tropical/pine hops and moderate bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink. A highly amazing offering.
Jul 16, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of Einfald
Reviewed by Einfald from California

2.88/5  rDev -31.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Canned 01/25/24, drink 03/12/24. I am not sure what all of the hype is on this. This is not a typical San Diego WCIPA. I wouldn't consider it smooth like a Stone or Ballast Point or even a Pizza Port "drinkable". There is a strong citrus/pine that kinda drowns out the hops. It is bitter on the back end for sure and at a 7.25 ABV, the alcohol is definitely not hidden. Fair to me at best.
Mar 13, 2024
 
Rated: 4.79 by Beergod420 from Michigan

Feb 26, 2024
 
Rated: 4 by MGibbons from Maryland

Dec 23, 2023
 
Rated: 4.37 by Nitty703 from Virginia

Dec 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.02 by not2quick from Missouri

Oct 15, 2023
Photo of Griffin2
Reviewed by Griffin2 from Virginia

4.16/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 16 oz can dated 7/05/23 into a shaker pint glass.
L - Pours a clear medium amber color with a fluffy white head that dissipates slowly.
S - Smells malty and citrusy.
T - Tastes piney, hoppy and bitter.
F - Medium body and carbonation.
O - Delicious West Coast IPA. Not sure why I didn’t try this one sooner.
Sep 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4.85 by RoyalKaiju from Kentucky

Aug 27, 2023
 
Rated: 4.35 by ryancl from Minnesota

Aug 04, 2023
 
Rated: 4.59 by Rocketmn from Minnesota

Aug 01, 2023
Photo of Mdog
Reviewed by Mdog from Minnesota

3.39/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
Appearance: Gold, haze from particles, ok head, pretty good retention.

Smell: Mild pine and citrus aroma.

Taste: I think the age might be starting to hit this, a bit of sweetness then moderate citrus bitterness but feels like it's coming part with a watery body. Instead of a blended taste, tastes are kind of clashing.

Overall: This was canned 8/22/22, bought and reviewing in June 2023. Usually I don't review old beers, but the 12 pack was refrigerated at the store most of its life, and frankly, most Alesmith is pretty old around here, so it serves as a valid review in my opinion. It's not bad, I'm sure it's better when fresh.
Jun 24, 2023
Photo of Braunmeister_1943
Reviewed by Braunmeister_1943 from Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Purchased as a 4 pack from Wegmans in Collegeville, PA. Can date: 3/2/23.

L- Bright amber slightly hazy.

S- Pine , citrus, slight booze.

T- Crisp, bitter citrus. Good malt
backbone.

F- Very dry, crisp and clean.

O- A fantastic WCIPA!
May 27, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by joran from Kansas

May 21, 2023
Photo of Bryan-K
Rated by Bryan-K from Pennsylvania

4.52/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
wow.
Mar 31, 2023
Photo of TheWaySheGoes
Reviewed by TheWaySheGoes from Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Overall extremely drinkable. Always happy to buy this classic, but the new can art is not doing it any favors. The pattern hop art on the side is more at home on the can of a much smaller, newer brewery.
Jan 10, 2023
 
Rated: 4.08 by LA2ED7

Jan 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.31 by LunchMoney from Minnesota

Nov 14, 2022
Photo of LucidoMMA
Reviewed by LucidoMMA from California

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a golden color with a thick foamy head.

Smells of bread and yeast straight up.

Well not much to say here. Straight up, simple, and delicious.
Nov 12, 2022
Photo of LampertLand
Reviewed by LampertLand from Canada (BC)

3.94/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Alesmith Brewing 'IPA' @ 7.25% , served from a 330 ml can
A-pour is gold from the can to a dark gold in the glass with a medium size white head leaving a spotty lace along the tulip
S-Columbus & Citra hops give off a hints of citrus & pine
T-American west coast IPA , malt dominates with a decent bitter swallow
MF-ok carbonation , big full body
Ov-very drinkable
prost LampertLand
Oct 15, 2022
Photo of Manta200
Reviewed by Manta200 from Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Single 16oz can from Party Town
Deep golden color with a thick foamy head, good retention.
Evident grapefruit and pine in the aroma.
Taste follows suit with a smooth delivery of hops and a firm bitterness balanced by a malt backbone.
Sep 30, 2022
IPA from AleSmith Brewing Company
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 4410 ratings