Alesmith Brewing .394 Pale Ale
Alesmith Brewing.394 Pale Ale — full official name San Diego Pale Ale.394 — is a 6.0% ABV (13 IBU) American pale ale in a six-pack of 12oz cans, brewed in San Diego, California. Per AleSmith, it was created in early 2014 with Hall of Fame Padre Tony Gwynn, who asked for a beer "light with a kick": golden and light-bodied, full of American hop flavour and aroma, with subdued bitterness and a malty sweet finish. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 6.0%
- IBU: 13
- Size: 6-pack, 12oz cans
- Style: San Diego / American pale ale
- Character: Golden, light-bodied; American hop flavour; subdued bitterness; malty sweet finish
- Tribute: Created with Tony Gwynn (2014); a portion of proceeds supports the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation
- Origin: AleSmith Brewing, San Diego, California (founded 1995)
The Beer Tony Gwynn Helped Brew
Most tribute beers borrow a name; this one had its namesake in the room. In early 2014 Gwynn's team approached AleSmith, and at a meeting at the Gwynn household he described what he wanted — light, with a kick. Test-batch feedback produced this golden pale ale, named for the.394 average he hit in 1994, with a portion of proceeds going to the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation. Line it up in our craft beer range next to its hazy sibling, or visit the Alesmith Brewing vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: American hop flavour and aroma, per the producer. Palate: Light-bodied and golden, hop-forward without harshness. Finish: Malty sweet with subdued bitterness — exactly the balance Gwynn asked for.
How to Enjoy
Serve cold (the brewery suggests 45–50°F) in a pint glass. It is brewed for the ballpark and the backyard alike — burgers, carne asada, and anything off the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Tony Gwynn really help make this beer? Yes — per AleSmith, Gwynn described the beer he wanted ("light with a kick") at a 2014 meeting, gave feedback on test batches, and the finished pale ale carries his.394 average as its name.
Is.394 a pale ale or an IPA? A San Diego-style pale ale — 6.0% ABV and an official 13 IBU, golden and light-bodied. (Some databases list 26 IBU; AleSmith's own page and shop both say 13.)
How does it differ from Hazy.394? Same official ABV and IBU — the original is clear and golden with a malty sweet finish and year-round availability; the Hazy is fuller-bodied, more intensely aromatic, creamy-finished and seasonal.
A San Diego original, built with a legend — order Alesmith.394 Pale Ale online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.