Alesmith Horney Devil 750ML

AleSmith Horny Devil 750ML is a Belgian-style Golden Strong Ale brewed at 10% ABV in a 750ml bottle by AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, California. Fermented with a yeast strain originating from a Belgian Trappist monastery, this ale earned a Gold Medal at the 2017 Los Angeles International Beer Competition and holds a 95/100 on RateBeer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10%  |  Origin: San Diego, California  |  Style: Belgian-Style Golden Strong Ale  |  Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

AleSmith Brewing Company has operated out of San Diego, California, building a reputation as one of the West Coast's most respected craft breweries. Horny Devil is brewed using authentic Belgian ingredients, including candi sugar and coriander seeds, and fermented with a yeast strain sourced directly from a Trappist monastery in Belgium. This commitment to traditional Belgian brewing techniques — executed in a Southern California brewery — gives the beer a genuine Old World character that distinguishes it from domestic interpretations of the style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe orange peel and banana, moving into warm peppercorn spice and candied sugar. A subtle floral quality from the Belgian yeast rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is soft and honeyed, with sweet malt and dried fruit flavors establishing a rich foundation. At mid-palate, coriander-driven citrus notes emerge alongside peppery spice from the yeast, while the candi sugar lends a smooth, almost vinous sweetness. The 10% ABV is well-integrated, warming without becoming harsh.

Finish: Lively carbonation lifts the palate toward a refreshingly dry close, preventing the sweetness from lingering too long. Faint echoes of honey, white pepper, and alcohol warmth trail off gradually.

How to Drink Horny Devil

Pour into a tulip glass or Belgian goblet at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to allow the complex yeast-driven aromatics to fully express themselves. The high carbonation and dry finish make it surprisingly food-friendly despite its strength. A Belgian Mule — substituting this ale for ginger beer alongside vodka and lime — plays off the existing spice and citrus character. A Bee's Knees riff using Horny Devil in place of a portion of the spirit component adds honey-like depth and effervescence. For a simple long drink, a Shandy with fresh lemon juice tempers the ABV while highlighting the coriander notes.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate Belgian brewing traditions
• Pairing alongside a multi-course dinner party as a wine-alternative centerpiece
• Cellaring for 1–3 years to observe how the yeast character evolves over time
• Gifting to someone exploring high-ABV Belgian-style ales beyond Trappist imports

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Horny Devil taste like? Horny Devil delivers sweet malt and honey up front, followed by orange peel, dried fruit, and peppery spice from its Trappist-origin yeast. It finishes dry and effervescent despite its 10% ABV.

How does Horny Devil compare to Hoegaarden? Both draw on Belgian brewing heritage, but Horny Devil is a Golden Strong Ale at 10% ABV — considerably heavier and sweeter than Hoegaarden, which is a 4.9% witbier. Horny Devil shares the use of coriander but layers in more pronounced dried fruit, honey, and alcohol warmth.

Is Horny Devil good for sipping? Absolutely — its complexity, high carbonation, and dry finish reward slow, attentive drinking from a proper Belgian glass. The 10% ABV is well-concealed, so pacing is worthwhile.

Where is Horny Devil made? Horny Devil is brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, California. Despite its American origin, it uses authentic Belgian ingredients and a Trappist monastery yeast strain.

What foods pair well with Horny Devil? Roasted chicken with herbs complements the beer's spice and malt sweetness. Aged Gouda or Gruyère mirrors its honeyed richness. Mussels in white wine sauce echo the Belgian roots. Crème brûlée matches its caramelized sugar notes. Spiced charcuterie like soppressata bridges the peppery yeast character.

What sizes does Horny Devil come in? Horny Devil is commonly available in the 750ml bottle format, a traditional size for high-ABV Belgian-style ales meant for sharing or cellaring.

Is Horny Devil worth the price? Horny Devil positions as a premium craft ale within the Belgian Strong category, and its use of genuine Trappist yeast, candi sugar, and multiple competition medals — including Gold at the 2017 LA International Beer Competition — support its standing against imported Belgian alternatives at a similar price point.

Why Horny Devil?

What separates Horny Devil from the many American-brewed Belgian-style ales on the market is its direct lineage to Trappist brewing: the yeast strain sourced from a Belgian monastery is not a generic Belgian pitch but a living connection to centuries of monastic tradition. That pedigree translates into the glass — a 95/100 RateBeer score, a 90 on BeerAdvocate across over a thousand reviews, and consistent medal wins from 1998 through 2017 confirm this is not a one-vintage wonder. The addition of coriander seeds and candi sugar creates a layered, deceptively drinkable strong ale that rewards both first-time tasters and seasoned Belgian beer devotees. In a 750ml format built for sharing, it stands as one of AleSmith's most enduring and distinctive releases.