AleSmith has a new Speedway racing to you. This time Speedway Stout German Chocolate Cake Edition “an imperial stout with cacao nibs, toasted coconut, roasted pecans and coffee.”
CakeWay
No Speed
If I were doing a N/A beer, I would certainly use big flavors or loads of hops. AleSmith is going the big flavor route with a non-alcoholic version of their flagship Speedway Stout.
Racing in Hawaii
AleSmith Brewing is bringing back a Speedway Stout variant instead of a new one with their, Hawaiian Edition. This island favorite is the same imperial stout but brewed with Hawaiian coffee, toasted coconut and vanilla beans.
The TartWay
AleSmith has their second Speedway Stout variant for 2022 ready: Tart Cherry Edition.
Here is the brewery description, “An ample amount of tart cherries, vanilla, and artisanally roasted coffee combine to create the perfect blend of complex, delectable flavors.”
It is a cool side street of this series, taking it away from bigger and more loaded to tart.
Speed to these Barrels
I usually am not a breaking news guy but AleSmith has a new beer coming, like in an hour. It has been waiting though for much longer.
Here is the beer description: “We’ve matured our Russian Imperial Stout in premium bourbon barrels for up to one year to create Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout, with the perfect blend of flavors. Notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon add another level of complexity to this beer’s already massive flavor profile of chocolate, locally roasted coffee, and roasted barley. Designed to be enjoyed now or aged in the bottle for years to come, this special release is truly a unique beer that is smooth as it is rare.”
Head to their webstore to pick-up a bottle or head to a finer beer bottle shoppe in the coming week to possibly find a bottle.
Beer Review – ANOTHER new Speedway Stout variant!
The second beer box in the mail prize also goes to AleSmith! Another intriguing Speedway Stout variant, Double Fudge.
When I see a name like Fudge, I expect some chocolate. When I see a name like Double Fudge, well I expect CHOCO-lot. This Speedway has a one fudge amount of chocolate to me. There is milk chocolate there but it isn’t big. I did not get much in the way of coffee either. Taking the name out of the equation, this is a very good beer. The vanilla and cocoa powder mix well. Almost like a milkshake. I would amp the cocoa and remove the coffee to use in a Ryan Bros. specific Speedway.
Beer Review – Speedway Stout NEW variant from AleSmith
First beer box in the mail prize goes to AleSmith! And it is a long name. Speedway Stout with Madagascar vanilla and Ceylon Alba cinnamon.
This stout pours a pitch black. Lovely coffee cream head and lacing as well. I wondered, as I opened the can, would the vanilla out sweet the cinnamon? Or would the spice blow away the creamy notes?
To me, the two disparate ingredients meld together. The cinnamon has a red hot thing going on but it is tamped down by the vanilla making the mouthfeel less spiky. It is almost as each sip highlights one then the next sip focuses on the other.
Thankfully both flavors represent making this a grand start to the 2022 Speedway year.
Next Speedway
The last Speedway Stout variant of the year is here. Speedway Stout Variant #4: Madagascar Vanilla & Ceylon Alba Cinnamon is the AleSmith 2021 finale. Despite those two ingredients, this will not be a pastry beer. This is a stout with big flavor.
Review – 2 from AleSmith
Two new releases hit my doorstep courtesy of AleSmith Brewing and I couldn’t choose which to review, so I chose both!
Here are the brewery details on the latest Speedway Imperial Stout variant, “We used the comforting trio of Mexican dark chocolate, sea salt, and Mexican coffee to give the beer delectable notes of cacao and dark fruit, a subtle touch of cinnamon, and a kiss of roasty earthiness.”
The Tower of Flower is described thusly, “We’ve teamed up once again with our good friends at Beachwood Brewing to make this behemoth west coast-style India pale ale that has been double dry-hopped with Galaxy, Cashmere, and Nelson hops. This monstrous hop blend gives this beer intense notes of passion fruit, citrus, peach, and melon.”
On to the reviews…
The Tower of Flower pours a medium yellow shade. Initial thoughts are that it is crisp and bright, almost like an IPL. The dominant flavor for me is Concord grape. The four fruits listed in the description elude me. I also get a grasy bitterness as well. And that really sticks.
I expected more from the Speedway. Chocolate, coffee and sea salt are big flavors. I didn’t get much of a hit of that trio. Slightly like a milk chocolate covered espresso bean but really toned down.
On Track 3
Variant #3 in the Speedway Stout series is here and AleSmith is going for a specific chocolately profile according to their press release…
“For this special edition of our signature imperial stout, we were inspired to feature ingredients from our neighbors to the south,” says Ryan Crisp, Head Brewer and Director of Brewery Operations. “We used a trio of Mexican dark chocolate, sea salt and Mexican coffee to give the beer notes of cacao and dark fruit, plus a subtle touch of cinnamon and roasty earthiness.”