AleSmith Vietnamese Speedway Stout
No ratings yet — be the first to log it.
Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with cold-brew coffee, condensed milk, and a faint vanilla sweetness — the Vietnamese coffee influence is upfront and genuine. On the palate, roasted malt runs deep alongside dark chocolate, a hint of cinnamon spice, and the lactic-adjacent richness that evokes ca phe sua da. The body is full and almost chewy, with residual sweetness holding it together rather than letting the roast turn harsh. The finish is long, warm, and bittersweet, with the coffee note lingering well past the swallow.
About the Brewery
AleSmith is a San Diego-based brewery founded in 1995, operating out of a large production facility that has become a fixture in Southern California's craft scene. They built their reputation on high-gravity, technically precise beers — their Speedway Stout line is arguably their flagship achievement, with a rotating series of adjunct variants that have earned serious followings among stout enthusiasts. They also produce well-regarded interpretations of classic styles, including a widely praised San Diego Pale Ale.
Food Pairings
A Vietnamese iced coffee alongside a slice of dark chocolate cake creates an almost redundant richness that works in the beer's favor. Banh mi with pork and pickled daikon cuts through the sweetness with salt and acid, offering genuine contrast. Flourless chocolate torte mirrors the beer's bittersweet character without fighting it. Smoked brisket pairs well because the meat's char echoes the roasted malt, while the fat softens the beer's intensity. Vanilla ice cream used as a float base amplifies the condensed milk quality already present in the aroma.
Style Guide
American Imperial Stout is a high-gravity extension of the stout family, typically running from around 8% ABV into the low teens, built on a dense foundation of roasted barley, chocolate malt, and dark crystal malts. It originated as American craft brewers pushed British stout conventions toward greater intensity in both alcohol and flavor. What separates it from its Russian Imperial Stout forebears is a tendency toward more pronounced hop presence and a willingness to incorporate adjuncts — coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and spices appear frequently. Compared to a standard stout, the body is heavier, the finish longer, and the alcohol warmth a deliberate part of the experience.