Alesmith Speedway Stout 4Pk

AleSmith Speedway Stout 4PK is a 12% ABV American imperial stout brewed with locally roasted coffee, sold as a four-pack. Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Untappd with over 147,000 ratings, it has become one of the most celebrated coffee stouts in American craft brewing.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: San Diego, California  |  Style: Imperial Stout with Coffee  |  Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Company  |  IBU: 70

Production & Heritage

AleSmith Brewing Company, based in San Diego, California, has built a reputation for ambitious, full-flavored ales. Speedway Stout distinguishes itself through the addition of coffee beans sourced from Ryan Bros. Coffee, a roaster operating out of San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood since 1998. The locally roasted coffee is added to each batch, amplifying the beer's dark chocolate character while maintaining remarkable drinkability for a 12% ABV brew. With an original gravity of 1.114 and 70 IBUs, this is an intentionally dense, complex beer engineered for depth rather than bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense roasted coffee — nearly espresso-like — leads the nose, followed by bittersweet dark chocolate and a layer of molasses. Subtle dark fruit and caramel emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, with dark chocolate and strong black coffee dominating the palate. Mid-palate reveals toffee, caramel, and hints of dark fruit that provide balance against the roasted bitterness. A measured hop bitterness and gentle ethanol warmth emerge toward the peak, reminding you of the substantial ABV without becoming harsh.

Finish: Long and warming, with roasted malt, espresso, and bittersweet cocoa lingering well after each sip. Fine carbonation and a creamy mouthfeel keep the finish smooth and surprisingly inviting for a beer this heavy.

How to Drink Speedway Stout

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at 50–55°F to allow the coffee and chocolate aromas to fully develop; this beer rewards patience and slightly warmer serving temperatures. Speedway Stout is best enjoyed on its own as a sipper, but it also works in creative cocktail and beer-cocktail applications. Try it in a Beer Float with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, where the espresso notes mirror an affogato. Use it as the base for a Black Velvet variation, pairing it with Champagne for a striking textural contrast. It also stands up in a Stout Flip — shaken with a whole egg, simple syrup, and a dash of nutmeg — where its body and sweetness create a dessert-like experience.

Best For

• Sharing among craft beer enthusiasts during a tasting flight of imperial stouts
• Pairing with a dessert course at a dinner party
• Gifting to a coffee lover exploring the intersection of specialty coffee and craft beer
• Cold-weather evening sipping as an after-dinner nightcap

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Speedway Stout taste like? Speedway Stout delivers bold dark chocolate and strong espresso-like coffee flavors, supported by toffee, caramel, and dark fruit, all wrapped in a creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel. Despite its 12% ABV, fine carbonation keeps it surprisingly smooth.

How does Speedway Stout compare to Founders Breakfast Stout? Both are widely respected coffee stouts, but Speedway Stout is significantly stronger at 12% ABV compared to Founders Breakfast Stout's 8.3%, resulting in a heavier body and more pronounced warmth. Speedway leans harder into dark chocolate and espresso intensity, while Breakfast Stout balances its chocolate and coffee with oatmeal smoothness at a more sessionable strength.

Is Speedway Stout good for sipping neat? Yes — its creamy mouthfeel, layered flavor profile, and dessert-like complexity make it an ideal beer to sip slowly from a snifter. Allowing it to warm slightly in the glass unlocks additional dark fruit and caramel nuances.

Where is Speedway Stout made? Speedway Stout is brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, California. The coffee used in production comes from Ryan Bros. Coffee, a specialty roaster located in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood.

What foods pair well with Speedway Stout? Dark chocolate truffles accentuate its cocoa backbone. Smoked brisket stands up to its roasted intensity. A rich chocolate lava cake mirrors and amplifies the espresso and dark chocolate notes. Blue cheese or aged Gouda provides a savory counterpoint to the beer's sweetness. Vanilla bean crème brûlée plays off the toffee and caramel layers.

What sizes does Speedway Stout come in? This listing is a four-pack format, and Speedway Stout is also available in other configurations including individual bottles and draft depending on market availability.

Is Speedway Stout worth the price? Speedway Stout positions as a premium imperial stout, and its 12% ABV, specialty coffee sourcing from Ryan Bros., and consistently high critical ratings justify its place in the upper tier of the American craft stout category.

Why Speedway Stout?

What separates Speedway Stout from the crowded field of imperial coffee stouts is the specificity of its coffee sourcing — Ryan Bros. Coffee has been roasting carefully selected gourmet beans in Barrio Logan since 1998, and that partnership gives this beer a genuine espresso depth that generic "coffee stout" additions rarely achieve. With over 147,000 Untappd ratings holding steady at 4.2 out of 5, its reputation is built on consistency across years of production. The 12% ABV and 70 IBU framework delivers power without brutality, and the pitch-black pour with its creamy head signals exactly the kind of serious, rewarding drinking experience that follows. In a category where many beers aim for bigness, Speedway Stout earns its standing through balance and intentional ingredient sourcing.