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 #2,270
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 ThomasMetal75:
Photo of ThomasMetal75
Reviewed by ThomasMetal75 from Massachusetts

3.87/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
*Review sample was bottled 11/30/15*

A- Dark orange body out of the light. But in the light, the body color is a nice honey, yellow color. It is on the hazy side, but I do not notice any sediment in the beer. The head is 2 finger, frothy, and bright-white in color. Head died to a nice 1 finger in size. It is leaving some very nice lacing. Great looking west coast style IPA> But as of lately, I'm really fond of the New England "hazy" IPA/Pale Ale look.

S- Lots of pineapple and sweet bready malts. I also get the typical grapefruits in there as well. I detect some caramel notes as well. Light notes of pine and leather. Pretty standard west coast IPA, but good.

T- This is how a good west coast IPA should taste. It's fairly balanced between the hop notes and the malty taste. I notice that compared to New England style IPAs that this has a darker, caramel malt, kind of taste. Upfront I get the pineapple and grapefruit notes. Light pine notes and some oily, resinous notes. Slightly dank towards the end, but I'd say Alesmith IPA finishes fairly clean. It's not overly dry.

F- The body is medium in feel. It's crisp, clean, and pretty refreshing. This doesn't quite drink like citrus juice in the way some New England style IPAs do, but I'd say the drinkability is quite high on this.

Overall this is a great tasting west coast IPA. It's not too bitter at all. And it's not super, super dank. I can't stand an IPA or Imperial IPA that is way too hoppy and dank. It's almost undrinkable to me. This is really well balanced between the malts and hops. I tend to like the IPA's that are on the citrus juice side of the mouthfeel, but this a great IPA I would never hesitate to drink when I'm in the mood for this style.
Jan 24, 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