.394 San Diego Pale Ale | AleSmith Brewing Company
Brewed by:
AleSmith Brewing Company
California, United States
alesmith.com
Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
In early 2014, Tony Gwynn’s team approached AleSmith to create a distinctive beer for the baseball legend. A meeting was called at the Gwynn household, which included a sampling of AleSmith beers to identify Tony’s preferences. He wanted the beer to be “light with a kick” which he elaborated further to mean full of hop character and light in body and color. The result of the Gwynn family’s feedback on test batches rendered a golden pale ale full of American hop flavor and aroma, with a subdued bitterness and a malty sweet finish. AleSmith San Diego Pale Ale .394 pays tribute to the city that Tony loved and the career high batting average that he achieved in ‘94. Discover what happens when a Hall of Fame perfectionist crafts a beer with a world-class brewery. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation (TAG).
26 IBU
Added by SocalKicks on 06-09-2014
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 545 | Reviews: 99
3.8/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
May 20th, 2015 - .392 is a regional beer landmark by now, but this was my tasting way back before it showed up in cans and at Costco. A lighter brown with a thinner head, it looks un assuming, but the aroma shows off a promising hop bill, and a slightly copper metallic scent. The flavor finds its excellence in balance, with a bit of soapiness, a hoppy ping and braised grapefruit. The body is lighter and refreshing and matches the flavor brilliantly. The aftertaste expresses some rye and a slight floral touch, which further impresses me.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
May 20th, 2015 - .392 is a regional beer landmark by now, but this was my tasting way back before it showed up in cans and at Costco. A lighter brown with a thinner head, it looks un assuming, but the aroma shows off a promising hop bill, and a slightly copper metallic scent. The flavor finds its excellence in balance, with a bit of soapiness, a hoppy ping and braised grapefruit. The body is lighter and refreshing and matches the flavor brilliantly. The aftertaste expresses some rye and a slight floral touch, which further impresses me.
542 characters
4.51/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.24/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
AleSmith Brewing Company ".394 San Diego Pale Ale"
12 fl. oz. can, "CANNED 04/13/18" and sampled on 06/05/18
$2.49 @ Whole Foods, South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Notes via stream of consciousness: Well this is a nice looking glass of beer! It's a slightly hazy amber beneath a frothy head of off-white. The head retention appears to be quite good, and it's already left some nice lacing where the head has dropped. There's citrus and pungent resin in the aroma. It's not bold but it's clear enough. Some malt slips through as well. Very nice. Hmmmm, as might be expected the flavor is almost exactly the same. There's more malt to it, lightly caramelish and biscuity, and it blends really well with the delicately citrusy and softly resinous notes. A firm bitterness runs through it and it finishes dry with some residual bitterness and just a kiss of everything that came before. Wow, that's a really delicious, superbly balanced American pale ale. Looking back, I just noticed that I still have a solid surface covering of foam. The lacing didn't turn out quite as nicely as I thought it would be, but it's still OK. Final item, mouthfeel: medium bodied and crisp-then-smooth. Overall just superb. It delivers on every front without being overdone at all. Well worth seeking out.
Review# 6,048
1,295 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
AleSmith Brewing Company ".394 San Diego Pale Ale"
12 fl. oz. can, "CANNED 04/13/18" and sampled on 06/05/18
$2.49 @ Whole Foods, South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Notes via stream of consciousness: Well this is a nice looking glass of beer! It's a slightly hazy amber beneath a frothy head of off-white. The head retention appears to be quite good, and it's already left some nice lacing where the head has dropped. There's citrus and pungent resin in the aroma. It's not bold but it's clear enough. Some malt slips through as well. Very nice. Hmmmm, as might be expected the flavor is almost exactly the same. There's more malt to it, lightly caramelish and biscuity, and it blends really well with the delicately citrusy and softly resinous notes. A firm bitterness runs through it and it finishes dry with some residual bitterness and just a kiss of everything that came before. Wow, that's a really delicious, superbly balanced American pale ale. Looking back, I just noticed that I still have a solid surface covering of foam. The lacing didn't turn out quite as nicely as I thought it would be, but it's still OK. Final item, mouthfeel: medium bodied and crisp-then-smooth. Overall just superb. It delivers on every front without being overdone at all. Well worth seeking out.
Review# 6,048
1,295 characters
4.79/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.14/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap into a pint
A: Light brown, thin head
S: Citrus, pine
T: Matches the nose
M: Medium bodied, crisp
O: A solid IPA tho little stands out
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap into a pint
A: Light brown, thin head
S: Citrus, pine
T: Matches the nose
M: Medium bodied, crisp
O: A solid IPA tho little stands out
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4.58/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
The Chronic!!! Holy crap....am I the only one??? This smells like chronic weed and even tastes a bit like a mix of chronic, grapefruit and tangerine. Looks very orange in a the glass....pretty....head is not great, though. Taste is very nice. But really, if you told me this was weed-beer of a high quality, I would not flinch. Totally the weed-lovers beer, imo.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
The Chronic!!! Holy crap....am I the only one??? This smells like chronic weed and even tastes a bit like a mix of chronic, grapefruit and tangerine. Looks very orange in a the glass....pretty....head is not great, though. Taste is very nice. But really, if you told me this was weed-beer of a high quality, I would not flinch. Totally the weed-lovers beer, imo.
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4.31/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This pale ale seems like a pale ale version of Sculpin IPA. Being the quintessence of what a west coast pale ale should be. With a aggresive grapefruit profile and some caramel notes. The whole is definitely bold and balanced. So drinkable
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This pale ale seems like a pale ale version of Sculpin IPA. Being the quintessence of what a west coast pale ale should be. With a aggresive grapefruit profile and some caramel notes. The whole is definitely bold and balanced. So drinkable
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4.04/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a can into a tulip glass. Fairly clear golden orange color with a brief head and decent lacin. Subdued lemon smell with a citrus taste. A bit earthy with some pleasant bitterness.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a can into a tulip glass. Fairly clear golden orange color with a brief head and decent lacin. Subdued lemon smell with a citrus taste. A bit earthy with some pleasant bitterness.
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4.24/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.63/5 rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: creamy, two-finger head; clean, clear, golden body.
S: citrus with pleasant malt undertones.
T: slightly sweet malt notes with citrus, tangerine specifically and a very slight bitterness
M: sharp and almost sticky
O: Very drinkable, very enjoyable, not outstanding, but very very good.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: creamy, two-finger head; clean, clear, golden body.
S: citrus with pleasant malt undertones.
T: slightly sweet malt notes with citrus, tangerine specifically and a very slight bitterness
M: sharp and almost sticky
O: Very drinkable, very enjoyable, not outstanding, but very very good.
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3.46/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The beer pours out a slightly hazy medium gold color, with 1 finger of white head--------------- the aromas are of orange marmalade, passion fruit, black tea and lesser floral/grass-------------- the flavors are of orange marmalade, black tea and sweet malt, the beer has a medium mouthfeel with a light bitterness on the finish---------------- overall this beer was nice it had some good things going on, but it tasted a little old to me and it was only 1 and a 1/2 months old, I got a lot of black tea flavor that I usually get in older hoppy beers, other than that it was fine ------
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The beer pours out a slightly hazy medium gold color, with 1 finger of white head--------------- the aromas are of orange marmalade, passion fruit, black tea and lesser floral/grass-------------- the flavors are of orange marmalade, black tea and sweet malt, the beer has a medium mouthfeel with a light bitterness on the finish---------------- overall this beer was nice it had some good things going on, but it tasted a little old to me and it was only 1 and a 1/2 months old, I got a lot of black tea flavor that I usually get in older hoppy beers, other than that it was fine ------
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4.33/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Can dated 02/02/18 into a tulip glass.
L: Pours bright copper with 1+ finger of variable density white head with moderate retention and left mixed lacing.
S: Vibrant citrus forward nose with tropical undertones. Orange, grapefruit, nectarine, pineapple, and mango. Perhaps some subtle floral aspects as it warms.
T: Follows the nose well, bright and refreshing, but slightly less dynamic than the nose. Finishes with mild bitterness and limited astringency, clears palate quickly.
F: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, light on the tongue, slick on the finish.
O: One of my favorite APAs, and when fresh the flavors pop more than the can I'm reviewing. It's a must grab every time I find it fresh, and a tremendous Alesmith offering, highly recommend!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Can dated 02/02/18 into a tulip glass.
L: Pours bright copper with 1+ finger of variable density white head with moderate retention and left mixed lacing.
S: Vibrant citrus forward nose with tropical undertones. Orange, grapefruit, nectarine, pineapple, and mango. Perhaps some subtle floral aspects as it warms.
T: Follows the nose well, bright and refreshing, but slightly less dynamic than the nose. Finishes with mild bitterness and limited astringency, clears palate quickly.
F: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, light on the tongue, slick on the finish.
O: One of my favorite APAs, and when fresh the flavors pop more than the can I'm reviewing. It's a must grab every time I find it fresh, and a tremendous Alesmith offering, highly recommend!
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4.24/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz can poured into a snifter.
A: Amber/orange color with some mild haze. Creamy off-white head retains well and leaves behind plenty of sticky webbing.
S: Mandarin orange, lemon rind, perhaps even a hint of pineapple. Soft pine. Sturdy malt aromas of caramel, toffee, and toast.
T: Follows the nose. Mandarin orange and tropical notes of pineapple a lemon rind kick things off. S ride of malt flavor doo backs it with plenty of toast, caramel, and toffee. Hops go earthy middle to end, with flavors of faint bark, pine, and resin. Bitterness is very tame. Earthy finish with lingering citrus.
M: Medium body with some chewy, nearly slick malt texture and mild scraping astringency. Seltzery carbonation soon blasts it off of the tongue and creates deep crispness.
O: A fantastic West-coast style pale ale. This is one of my favorite beers to drink when visiting San Diego. Well balanced and very moreish. Perfectly suited to the warm, dry climate too.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz can poured into a snifter.
A: Amber/orange color with some mild haze. Creamy off-white head retains well and leaves behind plenty of sticky webbing.
S: Mandarin orange, lemon rind, perhaps even a hint of pineapple. Soft pine. Sturdy malt aromas of caramel, toffee, and toast.
T: Follows the nose. Mandarin orange and tropical notes of pineapple a lemon rind kick things off. S ride of malt flavor doo backs it with plenty of toast, caramel, and toffee. Hops go earthy middle to end, with flavors of faint bark, pine, and resin. Bitterness is very tame. Earthy finish with lingering citrus.
M: Medium body with some chewy, nearly slick malt texture and mild scraping astringency. Seltzery carbonation soon blasts it off of the tongue and creates deep crispness.
O: A fantastic West-coast style pale ale. This is one of my favorite beers to drink when visiting San Diego. Well balanced and very moreish. Perfectly suited to the warm, dry climate too.
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.394 San Diego Pale Ale from AleSmith Brewing Company
Beer rating:
4.11 out of
5 with
545 ratings
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