AleSmith Brewing Speedway Stout
There have only been a handful of beers that I have ever lusted after. AleSmith Speedway Stout would be one of them. Now, I’m not going to wait in line for hours to get a single wax-sealed bottle — I’m too old for that garbage. But, when a company like AleSmith finally arrives in my region, I’m going to make sure I keep an eye out for something as special as this 12% ABV imperial stout brewed with coffee.
This review is of a bottle that I purchased back in September, but I’ve had the beer a couple of times prior — in North Carolina on vacation and just recently with a partial (I got the last of it) growler fill at a local shop. To finally be able to purchase bottles of this brew is a wonderful feeling, especially when it lives up to my lofty expectations and memories of past encountered.
Appearance
Speedway Stout pours an opaque, near obsidian black in color with a creamy cap of brown foam.
Aroma
Dark coffee, a roast char, half smoked cigar, distant cocoa and a lingering hint of anise provide an enticing aroma.
Taste
The brew is fairly robust in nature with a solid amount of coffee flavor, smoky char, tobacco, a moderate sweetness and a hint of molasses late. Anise and lingering tingle of hops fade slowly after the full-bodied brew slides smoothly over the tongue. The alcohol is masked fairly well, leaving just a twinge of warmth in the chest. The long lasting finish is slightly drying.
Overall
Like I stated above, Speedway Stout is a beer that — now that it is more readily available — will be a staple in the Barley Blog basement and fridge. It embodies everything I want in a big, roast stout. The only problem will involve my greed and, well, the size of my bank account.
Rating: 4.5/5