San Diego Pale Ale .394 San Diego-Style 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
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Ratings: 480 | Reviews: 81
4.05/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
3.76/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Two fingers of light tan to off white foam, airy enough to swiftly dimple yet retention is excellent once it closes in on the liquid surface, the lacing is initially broad, lacks stickiness so the sheets easily fall prey to gravity. The liquid is a dark coppery orange with a mild haziness, the carbonation bubbles are super tiny but active, few beads. Tart and penetrating nose of crackers, salt and pepper, fresh leafy green matter, no softening elements such as pine or citrus, unvarnished, the malts stick to the shadows and do not offer any distinct aromas, overall persistence is average. Medium-bodied, fluffs up immediately as the carbonation pushes it out towards the cheeks. However, it’s too dry to really be soft and the overall discernible bitterness does not make for a satiny smooth ride. Here tangerine, blood orange citrus and a tiny bit of pine do freshen the mouth entry, the pineapple, nectarine, peach fruit yet struggles to find a clear voice, not that juicy. More cracker and biscuit, not that much salving maltiness. The alcohol level is low and entirely unobtrusive. Some metallic, minerally residue at the end. Drinkability is fine but hard to imagine having more than two in a row.
1,210 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Two fingers of light tan to off white foam, airy enough to swiftly dimple yet retention is excellent once it closes in on the liquid surface, the lacing is initially broad, lacks stickiness so the sheets easily fall prey to gravity. The liquid is a dark coppery orange with a mild haziness, the carbonation bubbles are super tiny but active, few beads. Tart and penetrating nose of crackers, salt and pepper, fresh leafy green matter, no softening elements such as pine or citrus, unvarnished, the malts stick to the shadows and do not offer any distinct aromas, overall persistence is average. Medium-bodied, fluffs up immediately as the carbonation pushes it out towards the cheeks. However, it’s too dry to really be soft and the overall discernible bitterness does not make for a satiny smooth ride. Here tangerine, blood orange citrus and a tiny bit of pine do freshen the mouth entry, the pineapple, nectarine, peach fruit yet struggles to find a clear voice, not that juicy. More cracker and biscuit, not that much salving maltiness. The alcohol level is low and entirely unobtrusive. Some metallic, minerally residue at the end. Drinkability is fine but hard to imagine having more than two in a row.
1,210 characters
4.18/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz can. 6/5/17 can date. Appearance: Deep golden orange, slightly hazy, with a robust thick bubbled off white foam head and nice lacing. Aroma: Grassy, lemon, resinous hop character on a caramel and light roast maltiness Taste: Starts with a moderate caramel and crackery maltiness, turning to a strong grassy, resinous bitterness that builds to an aggressive crescendo on the swallow, which brings the arrival of strong toasted bread crusts and a touch of nuttiness. Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, leaning towards heavy for the style, with a moderate carbonation. Finish: Dry bitterness is most prominent, but also a strong bread crust and light caramel maltiness. Overall: Beautifully balances a strong malt backbone against an aggressive hop bitterness, yet remaining very drinkable despite the intense flavor. Definitely a stronger malt presence than typical for the style, with a blend of caramel, bread crust, and even some nuttiness. Hop character is very traditional American with lots of grassy, resinous, and lemon notes.
1,028 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
12oz can. 6/5/17 can date. Appearance: Deep golden orange, slightly hazy, with a robust thick bubbled off white foam head and nice lacing. Aroma: Grassy, lemon, resinous hop character on a caramel and light roast maltiness Taste: Starts with a moderate caramel and crackery maltiness, turning to a strong grassy, resinous bitterness that builds to an aggressive crescendo on the swallow, which brings the arrival of strong toasted bread crusts and a touch of nuttiness. Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, leaning towards heavy for the style, with a moderate carbonation. Finish: Dry bitterness is most prominent, but also a strong bread crust and light caramel maltiness. Overall: Beautifully balances a strong malt backbone against an aggressive hop bitterness, yet remaining very drinkable despite the intense flavor. Definitely a stronger malt presence than typical for the style, with a blend of caramel, bread crust, and even some nuttiness. Hop character is very traditional American with lots of grassy, resinous, and lemon notes.
1,028 characters
4/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sweet and malty, but also a good bit of hops in it!
51 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sweet and malty, but also a good bit of hops in it!
51 characters
4.11/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Tasted in a pint glass from draft at Half Day Brewing Company on August 27, 2017. Look is gold. Smell and taste is hoppy and slightly bitter with a malty sweet finish. Feel is light to medium in body.
203 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Tasted in a pint glass from draft at Half Day Brewing Company on August 27, 2017. Look is gold. Smell and taste is hoppy and slightly bitter with a malty sweet finish. Feel is light to medium in body.
203 characters
4.27/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.14/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy orangish pour. Great head and lacing. Body is medium in appearance.
Smell is terrific juicy mango with citrus/ orange.
Taste is a pleasantly bitter pale ale with zesty citrus notes, some pine, a tad bit of earthy malts, a flavorful concoction. Peppery finish.
Smooth mouthfeel. Creamy. Medium carbonation, medium-light body.
Nice. Rock solid pale with inspiration from a late great ball player.
403 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy orangish pour. Great head and lacing. Body is medium in appearance.
Smell is terrific juicy mango with citrus/ orange.
Taste is a pleasantly bitter pale ale with zesty citrus notes, some pine, a tad bit of earthy malts, a flavorful concoction. Peppery finish.
Smooth mouthfeel. Creamy. Medium carbonation, medium-light body.
Nice. Rock solid pale with inspiration from a late great ball player.
403 characters
4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
5/5 rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This San Diego-Style Pale Ale is outta this world. BEST Pale Ale to date! Tony Gwinn ("Mr. Padre"') worked with AleSmith to perfect this just before he passed. Drinks like an IPA, hoppy like an IPA,Citrusy, but not to much. My personal go-to, crisp refreshing... AMAZING!
272 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This San Diego-Style Pale Ale is outta this world. BEST Pale Ale to date! Tony Gwinn ("Mr. Padre"') worked with AleSmith to perfect this just before he passed. Drinks like an IPA, hoppy like an IPA,Citrusy, but not to much. My personal go-to, crisp refreshing... AMAZING!
272 characters
3.9/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Alesmith sticks to its knitting. Famous for solid renditions in the British tradition without slipping into a West Coast dependence on bitter hops, I respect their stouts and maltier pales. 394 follows that strategy on a milder level.
Looks darker and more orangey than I expected, 394 Smells malty and citrusy. Tastes are largely the same with just enough bitter hops to keep its balance. Feel has enough carbonation to refresh, yet has a clean finish.
OA: Had after exercising, 396 is a decent pale that I would like to try again with mild food from south of the border.
574 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Alesmith sticks to its knitting. Famous for solid renditions in the British tradition without slipping into a West Coast dependence on bitter hops, I respect their stouts and maltier pales. 394 follows that strategy on a milder level.
Looks darker and more orangey than I expected, 394 Smells malty and citrusy. Tastes are largely the same with just enough bitter hops to keep its balance. Feel has enough carbonation to refresh, yet has a clean finish.
OA: Had after exercising, 396 is a decent pale that I would like to try again with mild food from south of the border.
574 characters
4.21/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
3.6/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
4.25/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
San Diego Pale Ale .394 San Diego-Style Pale Ale from AleSmith Brewing Company
Beer rating:
91.9% out of
100 with
480 ratings
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4