Alesmith Brewing Speedway Stout
Alesmith Brewing Speedway Stout is a 12% ABV imperial stout brewed with locally roasted coffee, sold here as a single 16oz can from San Diego's AleSmith Brewing Company. It is the brewery's signature stout — pitch black, intensely flavoured yet smooth, and built to age for years. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 12%
- Size: 16oz can (single)
- Style: Imperial stout with coffee
- Bitterness: 70 IBU; original gravity 1.114 (brewery specs)
- Origin: San Diego, California
- Serving: 50–55°F in a tulip or goblet (brewery guidance); improves with age
- Awards: Silver, 2008 Great American Beer Festival (Aged Beer); Gold, 2012 and 2014 San Diego International Beer Competition (Imperial Stout) — brewery-listed
- Producer: AleSmith Brewing Company (founded 1995)
San Diego's Signature Imperial Stout
AleSmith was founded in San Diego in August 1995, and owner Peter Zien has run it since 2002; Speedway Stout is the beer the brewery is known by. A generous amount of locally roasted coffee goes into each batch, lifting the dark-chocolate character of the roasted malts, and the brewery marks the beer as one that improves with age and keeps maturing for years. Find more San Diego brewing on our craft beer shelf, browse the full beer range, or see the brewery on the Alesmith Brewing vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pitch black. Nose / Palate: Chocolate and roasted malts lead, supported by dark fruit, toffee and caramel, with the coffee raising the dark-chocolate character. Finish / Mouthfeel: Fine carbonation and a creamy mouthfeel — intense, yet smooth and surprisingly drinkable for its strength.
How to Enjoy
Serve it at 50–55°F in a tulip or goblet — warmer than fridge-cold lager service — and pair it with rich beef and char-grilled foods, chocolate and vanilla desserts, or salty blue cheese and aged hard cheeses. Or cellar it: the brewery says it will continue to mature for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is Speedway Stout? 12% ABV, with 70 IBU and an original gravity of 1.114, per the brewery's own specs.
Can you age Speedway Stout? Yes — the brewery marks it "Improves With Age: YES" and says it will continue to mature for years.
How should you serve it? At 50–55°F in a tulip or goblet, per the brewery — and it pairs with chocolate desserts and salty blue cheese such as Stilton.
A San Diego heavyweight in a single tall can — order Alesmith Speedway Stout online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.