AleSmith Speedway Stout (365 Day 60)

By scot in 365 Days of American Craft Beer on Sunday, January 30th, 2011

An American craft beer sitting in the cellar is always on the back of your mind as a beer geek. You wonder if the fluctuations in temperature are causing harm. You wonder how long to leave the beer in the cellar before drinking it. You wonder if the cap is on tight, especially if there is no wax, in case old man oxidation comes for a visit. You wonder, when you decide to drink, if the beer will live up to expectations. You wonder if the occasion that you decide to drink the cellared beer is worthy enough of said beer.

The list could go on, but you get the picture. Speedway Stout by AleSmith Brewing Company was one of the first good beers I ever placed in my cellar. Who knows, if when I first started collecting beers, if I was cellaring them correctly. I wondered if this might not be that good.

Once I opened the bottle and poured the liquid into my pint glass with its nice brown head, I knew this was going to be something good. The aroma and taste are very similar and outstanding. Chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee are all blended seamlessly into a very drinkable large stout. I would say the body is a bit thin, but that is based on expecting a huge, thick beast. Sometimes the viscous nature of big stouts can be too much, this was pleasant. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9, Taste: 10, Look: 10, Drinkability: 8, Overall: 9.1

Useless Fact: The bagpipe was originally made from the liver of a dead sheep.