Alesmith IPA 6Pk

AleSmith IPA 6-Pack is a 7.25% ABV West Coast IPA from AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, California, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz servings. This hop-forward flagship earned RateBeer Gold medals for Best Beers By Style in the IPA category three consecutive years (2013, 2014, and 2015) and ranks among the highest-rated IPAs on the platform.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.25%  |  Origin: San Diego, California  |  Style: West Coast IPA  |  Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

AleSmith Brewing Company operates out of a 105,500-square-foot facility in the Miramar neighborhood of San Diego, brewing on an 85-barrel system built for consistency and scale. The IPA relies on huge additions of Columbus and Citra hops — Columbus delivering deep, resinous bitterness while Citra supplies bright citrus and tropical aromatics. A sturdy malt backbone balances the aggressive hopping, a hallmark of the West Coast IPA tradition that San Diego helped define.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit peel and ripe tangerine hit first, followed by layers of fresh pine resin and tropical fruit. The hop aromatics are intense but clean, with no competing off-notes from the malt.

Taste: Orange citrus arrives on the front of the palate, bright and immediate. At mid-palate, pine and lighter tropical notes — mango and passion fruit — emerge alongside a firm malt structure that keeps the bitterness grounded. The hop intensity builds steadily without becoming harsh, showcasing the Columbus-Citra combination at full volume.

Finish: Dry and resinous, with lingering pine and a crisp, clean bitterness that invites the next sip. The malt fades gracefully, leaving the hops to close things out on their own terms.

How to Drink AleSmith IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully. Drinking straight from the can works in casual settings but sacrifices much of the grapefruit and pine nose.

• Fish Taco Pairing: The citrus hop profile mirrors a lime squeeze, making it a natural companion to Baja-style fish tacos.
• Burger Night: The resinous bitterness cuts through rich, fatty beef patties and sharp cheddar.
• Standalone Session: At 7.25%, it carries enough weight for slow, deliberate sipping on its own.

Best For

• Stocking up for a weekend barbecue with hop-savvy friends
• Introducing someone to classic West Coast IPA character
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates San Diego brewing heritage
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or grilled foods that stand up to hop bitterness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does AleSmith IPA taste like? AleSmith IPA leads with bright grapefruit and orange citrus, transitions through pine and tropical fruit at mid-palate, and finishes dry with a firm resinous bitterness balanced by malt backbone.

How does AleSmith IPA compare to Stone IPA? Both are benchmark San Diego West Coast IPAs, but AleSmith IPA tends toward a smoother, more citrus-forward profile driven by its Citra hops, while Stone IPA leans into a sharper, more aggressively bitter character. AleSmith also carries a slightly higher ABV at 7.25% compared to Stone IPA's 6.9%.

Is AleSmith IPA good for sipping neat? Yes — the balanced malt backbone and layered hop profile make it well-suited to slow, thoughtful drinking, especially when poured into a proper glass at the right temperature to release the full aromatic range.

Where is AleSmith IPA made? AleSmith IPA is brewed at AleSmith Brewing Company's facility at 9990 AleSmith Court in the Miramar district of San Diego, California, using an 85-barrel brewing system.

What foods pair well with AleSmith IPA? Grilled carne asada benefits from the citrus hop contrast; sharp aged cheddar mirrors the beer's intensity; spicy Thai curry is tempered by the malt sweetness; fish and chips find balance against the resinous bitterness; and citrus-dressed salads echo the grapefruit and tangerine aromatics.

What sizes does AleSmith IPA come in? AleSmith IPA is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz servings as well as individual larger-format options depending on market availability.

Is AleSmith IPA worth the price? AleSmith IPA positions as a mid-premium craft IPA, and its multiple RateBeer Gold medals and Great American Beer Festival Silver medal (2011) place it among the most critically recognized beers in its style, representing strong value within the competitive West Coast IPA segment.

Why AleSmith IPA?

Three consecutive RateBeer Gold medals in the IPA category (2013–2015) and a Great American Beer Festival Silver medal (2011) put AleSmith IPA in rare company among West Coast IPAs with sustained critical recognition. The Columbus and Citra hop combination delivers both depth and brightness — resinous backbone from Columbus, vivid citrus and tropical lift from Citra — in a way that rewards attention without punishing the palate. Brewed at one of San Diego's most respected independent craft breweries, this is a flagship that helped establish the city's reputation as the epicenter of American IPA production. The six-pack format makes it practical for regular drinking without compromising the quality that earned those accolades.