AleSmith Brewing (San Diego) | Excellence Across Every Style

Hi there! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. It’s no exaggeration to say I planned my entire August 2025 San Diego trip around visiting AleSmith Brewing Company! From Kolsch to IPA to Imperial Stout, every single style is outstanding, making this one of San Diego’s most elite breweries.

Access & Basic Info

Brewery	AleSmith Brewing Company
Address	9990 AleSmith Ct, San Diego, CA 92126
Hours	Mon-Thu 12:00-8:00 PM / Fri 12:00-10:00 PM / Sat 11:00 AM-10:00 PM / Sun 11:00 AM-8:00 PM (check the official site before visiting)
Access	About 20-30 minutes by Uber from downtown. Bus access available on Fridays
Website	alesmith.com

Venue, Atmosphere & Brewery History

AleSmith started in 1995 and was taken over by current owners Peter Zien and Vin Smith in 2002, steadily building their reputation on the world stage ever since. In 2014, they moved to their current massive facility at 9990 AleSmith Ct, with a spacious, open taproom to match.

The taproom features high ceilings that retain an industrial feel while incorporating refined interior design. A glass-walled section lets you enjoy your beer while gazing at the brewing tanks — guaranteed to get any beer lover excited. Food is primarily from food truck partnerships, so check the official site for food availability before visiting.

Notably, the recipes for Modern Times Beer‘s classic beers are being continued here at AleSmith through contract brewing. Great news for fans!

Beers I Had

I covered multiple styles including Kolsch, IPA, Pale Ale, and Imperial Stout! Every single one was expertly crafted with each style’s unique character beautifully expressed.

Kolsch	Clean and smooth. A meticulous brew that rivals authentic German Kolsch
IPA	A hop-forward WCIPA true to San Diego style. Exquisite bitterness-aroma balance
Pale Ale	Approachable and well-balanced. Friendly to newcomers
Imperial Stout	Rich and complex flavors. Dessert-beer-level heft with overwhelming completeness

Web Reviews & Ratings

Untappd	Speedway Stout: 4.1/5.0+ (100K+ check-ins). AleSmith IPA: 3.9/5.0. All beers maintain consistently high ratings
RateBeer	Speedway Stout has ranked among the world’s best, earning elite international recognition
Google Maps	Around 4.5/5.0. Reviews praise the “spacious comfortable facility” and “every style is delicious”

Awards & Notable Info

AleSmith has multiple GABF (Great American Beer Festival) and World Beer Cup wins. Speedway Stout is a perennial top-ranker on RateBeer’s world rankings, giving the brewery exceptional international recognition. They also have notable collaborations like Tucker Bell’s Persona Non Grata. Visit the official site (alesmith.com) for details.

For Stout Lovers

Inspired by AleSmith’s stouts? Here are some rich, bold stouts you can enjoy at home.

Browse Imperial Stouts on Rakuten

Overall Rating

References & Related Articles

If you’re interested in the San Diego craft beer scene, check out these as well.

• West Coast Brewing (Shizuoka, Japan) – Enjoying West Coast Style in Japan
• What is DDH (Double Dry Hopped) Beer? Explained

References: Instagram caption (August 15, 2025) / AleSmith official site: alesmith.com

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Where is AleSmith Brewing Company located?

Located in San Diego, California. They have a massive brewing facility and are known as an elite, all-style brewery.

Q2. What are AleSmith Brewing’s recommended beers?

Speedway Stout, IPA, and Barleywine all receive top ratings across all styles. The taproom also offers limited-edition beers.

Q3. What are AleSmith Brewing’s hours?

Hours may vary by season. Please check the official website for the latest information before visiting.

Q4. Can you take a brewery tour at AleSmith Brewing?

They may offer brewery facility tours. Check the official website for the latest tour availability.

Q5. Where can you buy AleSmith Brewing’s beers?

In addition to taproom takeout, some bottles and cans are available at select retailers and online shops.

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