AleSmith Brewing Co

Founded in 1995, AleSmith is one of the county’s oldest and largest brewers. They moved into this expansive brewery and tasting room in 2015.

The Beer

The Big Board

The beer menu on April 27, 2022

Number of Taps

  • 22 main room taps, including a Michelada and 2 non-alcoholic offerings, plus Order of the Anvil membership program beers
  • 25% of the full-alcohol beers are IPAs

Signature Beers

  • Speedway Stout. A 12% ABV Imperial Stout, AleSmith usually has limited release variants on tap here, and also hosts a Speedway Grand Prix every December where they feature 12 or more specialty versions, including barrel-aged versions.
  • Horny Devil. AleSmith is prolific enough to have two signature beers. This Belgian Golden Strong Ale put AleSmith on the map by winning a silver medal at the 1998 Great American Beer Festival.

“What’s the Best Thing Ya Got?”

  • I was recommended the Beach Run West Coast IPA, a new-to-the-menu collaboration with local brewer Pizza Port.

eBay Platinum Reserve

  • For the rare and barrel-aged beers, visit the Anvil & Stave, a small semi-hidden room off the main tasting room with its own bar. This room is only open during busier periods and has its own menu of heavyweights which will look similar in character to the Order of the Anvil pours listed above.

A Little Help From My Friends

  • AleSmith brews collaboration beers with everyone from local brewers to across-the-country heavyweights like Brewery Ommegang (Three Philosophers). You have a fair chance to find one on the menu or in the to-go store.

For the Couch

  • AleSmith fills growlers and crowlers, but would rather you took home bottled and canned beer from their three refrigerator cases in the gift shop. If you don’t see it here, ask and they may have it in the back. They occasionally have CheeseSmith cheese curds, as well.

The Space

Indoor Capacity

  • AleSmith has a large indoor space with 17 tables on the main level and a bar that must run 30 feet in length. There is also a mezzanine level with additional tables and its own bar.

Outdoor Space

  • A patio space has 15 tables and a firepit with large garage doors connecting it to the indoors.

Food Service

  • AleSmith has daily rotating food trucks parked alongside the patio space

Exit Through Gift Shop

  • The large gift shop sells clothing, glassware, and other souvenirs.
Gift shop space with to-go beers at right

The Scene

AleSmith draws a crowd at all hours, but is busiest in the 5-7PM timeframe, when parking may be hard to find

Entertainment

  • Music at a medium volume. Padres games are shown on two televisions, though with the sound down. Some board games are available.
  • AleSmith hosts events centered around the major holidays, such as their AleSchmidt celebration of Oktoberfest and a haunted brewery tour around Halloween.

Babies and Bowsers

  • Children and dogs are both welcome

Extras

  • AleSmith is home to the Tony Gwynn museum, which hosts an impressive collection of baseball memorabilia from Gwynn’s career in a separate room off the main floor. Entrance to the museum is free.