What AleSmith Brewing does

AleSmith Brewing Company is a privately held, family-owned craft brewery (legal entity JDZ, Inc.) founded in 1995 and headquartered in a 109,942 sq.ft. facility at 9990 AleSmith Court in the Miramar area of San Diego, California. The company produces an award-winning portfolio of craft beer — including flagship Speedway Stout, AleSmith IPA, and the Tony Gwynn-collaboration San Diego Pale Ale .394 — alongside seasonal and barrel-aged releases, ciders, non-alcoholic offerings, fruited light lagers, and ready-to-drink cocktails. Its underlying production platform consists of a custom Steinecker 85 bbl brew system, a 20 bbl pilot system, fermenters up to 240 bbl, a high-efficiency centrifuge, a pasteurizer, and a 300-can-per-minute canning line.

The company monetizes through five primary revenue streams: (1) direct-to-consumer sales at one of San Diego's largest tasting rooms and through the shop.alesmith.com e-commerce site; (2) wholesale distribution via a network of regional U.S. distributors and international partners spanning 28 U.S. states and 8 countries, with retail placement at Total Wine & More, BevMo, and Ralph's; (3) private event bookings across multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces accommodating 10-500+ guests; (4) branded merchandise; and (5) contract beverage manufacturing through its Anvil Beverage Company division, which provides co-packing services for beer, ciders, hard teas, seltzers, kombuchas, and canned cocktails. Ancillary businesses CheeseSmith (artisanal cheese, launched 2019) and the Anvil of Hope charity (founded 2020) sit under the same ownership umbrella.

The customer base is highly diversified, with end consumers purchasing primarily for personal consumption, on-premise draft accounts (e.g., O'Brien's Pub), and community-driven traffic from partnerships with the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation, San Diego FC, and Helen Woodward Animal Center. The company has earned 18+ medals at the Great American Beer Festival, three Champion Brewery Awards at the San Diego International Beer Competition, was named #1 Brewery in California by RateBeer in 2014 and 2020, and was ranked #1 Best Brewery in the World by RateBeer in 2014.

Name

AleSmith Brewing

Legal name

JDZ, Inc.

Website

https://alesmith.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AleSmith Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery founded in 1995 in San Diego, California, producing award-winning beer, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails distributed across 28 U.S. states and 8 countries. It operates one of San Diego's largest tasting rooms and provides contract beverage manufacturing through Anvil Beverage Company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Alcohol-Free & Low-Alcohol Beer/Wine/Spirits Production (AFAFAAAJ), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD)

Keywords

• Craft beer production
• Craft brewery
• Barrel-aged stouts
• Ipa brewing
• Beer distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer (Tasting Room): Sales through the tasting room including on-site consumption, merchandise, and to-go products. Tasting room features food trucks, private event spaces, golf simulators, and family-friendly amenities.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Distribution through network of wholesale partners across 28 U.S. states and 8 countries. Products sold through retailers including Total Wine & More, BevMo, Ralph's, and independent bottle shops.
3. E-commerce / Online Shop: Direct online sales through shop.alesmith.com for beer, merchandise, and online orders with California shipping available.
4. Private Events: Revenue from private event bookings including company parties, weddings, and corporate events. Multiple event spaces available accommodating 10-15 up to 500+ guests.
5. Contract Manufacturing: Anvil Beverage Company provides co-packing and contract manufacturing services to other beverage brands, leveraging excess capacity and expertise.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels13 records

Marketing channels17 records

Core offering

AleSmith Brewing Company is a craft brewery that manufactures and sells award-winning ales, lagers, IPAs, stouts, ciders, and ready-to-drink cocktails under its own brand. The company operates one of San Diego's largest tasting rooms at its 109,942 sq.ft. facility, distributes through wholesale partners across 28 U.S. states and 8 countries, and provides contract beverage manufacturing services via its Anvil Beverage Company division.

Product overview

AleSmith Brewing Company is a craft brewery founded in 1995, offering a diverse portfolio of award-winning beers and beverages. The core portfolio centers on flagship products like Speedway Stout (12% ABV imperial stout) and San Diego Pale Ale .394 (Tony Gwynn collaboration), complemented by year-round offerings including IPA, Party Tricks IPA, Hazy .394, Nut Brown Ale, Anvil Pilsner, and Traditional Dry Apple Cider. Limited seasonal and specialty releases include Horny Devil Belgian Golden Ale, AleSchmidt Oktoberfest, and multiple Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout variants. The company has expanded into ready-to-drink cocktails (Speedway Espresso Martini, Hoptails), non-alcoholic craft brews (NA IPA, NA Speedway), and fruited light lagers (Sun Path). Beyond packaged beverages, AleSmith operates one of San Diego's largest tasting rooms with private event spaces, golf simulators, and contract manufacturing services through Anvil Beverage Company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CheeseSmith: Artisanal cheese production and retail sales operated at the back of AleSmith's building, re-stocked every Thursday. Created by Peter Zien after a decade of home cheesemaking, bringing European beer and cheese pairing tradition to San Diego.
• Anvil Beverage Company
• Anvil of Hope

Products and services

• Speedway Stout Flagship imperial stout featuring chocolate and roasted malts with dark fruit, toffee, and caramel notes, made with locally-roasted coffee. ABV: 12%, 70 IBU. Year-round release with multiple variant editions.
• San Diego Pale Ale .394
• Party Tricks IPA West Coast IPA featuring Strata, El Dorado, and Citra hops with notes of grapefruit, strawberry, and passion fruit. ABV: 6.8%. Year-round release.
• Tropical Party Tricks IPA Fruited version of Party Tricks IPA with fresh mango and pineapple, combining tropical fruit with West Coast IPA boldness. ABV: 6.8%. Year-round seasonal.
• AleSmith IPA West coast-style India pale ale with massive hop aromas of grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruits from Columbus and Citra hops. One of the all-time highest rated IPAs on RateBeer. ABV: 7.25%, 40 IBU. Year-round.
• Hazy .394 Hazy version of .394 showcasing intense tropical fruit and citrus hop aroma with fuller body and smooth, creamy finish. Tribute to Tony Gwynn. Year-round release.
• AleSmith Sun Path Fruited Lagers Fruited light lagers line featuring Peach, Passionfruit, Lemon, and Grapefruit varieties. 4% ABV, made with real fruit, crisp clean finish. Gold Medal Winner at 2026 San Diego County Fair.
• Anvil Pilsner Crisp and clean pilsner inspired by European lagers, representing pinnacle of craftsmanship. ABV: 4.9%. Year-round release.
• Pace Car Nitro Coffee Stout 6% Coffee Stout inspired by legendary Speedway Stout. Features coffee and chocolate aromas with notes of roasted barley and subtle toffee. Nitrogenated pour for creamy texture. Year-round.
• Nut Brown Ale British-style nut brown ale with deep mahogany color, rich malt-forward flavor with biscuit, mild cocoa, and earthy hops. Creamy mouthfeel and full body. ABV: 5%, 12 IBU. Year-round.
• AleSchmidt Oktoberfest German-style amber lager, traditional Märzen style characterized by clean, elegant, toasty malt character. Seasonal release. Gold Medal at 2021 California Craft Brewers Cup. ABV: 5.5%.
• Horny Devil Belgian-style Golden Ale brewed with authentic Belgian ingredients including candi sugar and Trappist yeast. Fruity and spicy aromas with orange, banana, and peppercorns. ABV: 10%. Limited release.
• Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout: Islander Joy Edition Barrel-aged imperial stout blending Tahitian vanilla, Vietnamese coffee, and creamy coconut with rich chocolate flavors. Silky and decadent. ABV: 14.29%. Limited release.
• Rum Barrel-Aged Old Numbskull Special 30th Anniversary edition of American Barleywine spent extended time in rum barrels, developing layers of caramel, vanilla, oak, and molasses. ABV: 11.65%.
• Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout: Rye Vietnamese Coffee Edition Imperial stout aged 12 months in rye whiskey barrels with Vietnamese cà phê sữa đá. Notes of toasted oak, dark cocoa, smooth vanilla, and dry peppery finish. ABV: 13.89%.
• Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout: Hammerhead Edition 30th Anniversary release aged in bourbon barrels, inspired by Hammerhead coffee drink with espresso. Brewed with Ethiopian and espresso beans. ABV: 13.46%.
• Speedway Stout: Choco-Hazelnut Spread Edition Imperial stout inspired by hazelnut cocoa spread, layered with roasted coffee, cocoa nibs, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla beans. Seasonal May 2026 release. ABV: 12%.
• Speedway Stout: Salted Caramel Edition Speedway Stout variant inspired by coffeehouse flavors, combining rich roasted coffee with buttery caramel and sea salt. Smooth and full-bodied. Seasonal February 2026.
• Speedway Stout: Toasted Coconut Vietnamese Coffee Edition Fan-voted winner of 2024 Speedway Grand Prix Mixed 4-Pack. Features toasted coconut layered for both aroma and taste, balancing chocolate malt and Vietnamese coffee. Seasonal August release.
• Traditional Dry Apple Cider Dry cider crafted with fresh-pressed West Coast apples. Bright, crisp taste with refreshing tartness and dry finish. Naturally gluten-free, vegan, no added sugars. ABV: 6%. Year-round.
• Imperial Dry Apple Cider Crisp, tannic, effervescent imperial cider with fresh-pressed West Coast apples. Full-bodied flavor experience. Naturally gluten-free, vegan, no added sugars. ABV: 8.4%. Year-round starting February 2025.
• Speedway Espresso Martini Ready-to-drink canned cocktail featuring Vietnamese coffee, vodka, and demerara sugar. Bartender-quality espresso martini experience. Serve cold, shake well. ABV: 10%.
• Hoptails Sparkling Vodka Hop Water First spirit-based hard hop water on the market, crafted with real fruit juice, premium vodka, sparkling water, and hops. Bright lemon flavor with refreshing hop character. Gluten-free, 100 calories. ABV: 5%. Year-round starting 2026.
• AleSmith Non-Alcoholic IPA Non-alcoholic IPA bringing satisfying hoppy aromas and flavors without alcohol. Tangerine and pine notes, smooth and crisp with bready malt notes. Under 75 calories. ABV: Less than 0.5%.
• AleSmith Non-Alcoholic Speedway Non-alcoholic version of classic Speedway Stout with bold complex flavor featuring dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malts. Same quality without alcohol.
• Session .394 Lower alcohol version of .394 Pale Ale featuring City Connect colors. Sessionable take on the Tony Gwynn tribute beer.
• Private Event Space Award-winning brewery with private event spaces including Upstairs Mezzanine (up to 200 guests), Dugout 19 (50-75 guests), Anvil & Stave speakeasy (20 guests), and Barrel Cellar (up to 500 guests). AV equipment and golf simulators available.
• Tasting Room & Gift Shop One of San Diego's largest tasting rooms located at 9990 AleSmith Court. Family-friendly with kids and dog-friendly atmosphere. Onsite tastings, beer to-go, rotating food trucks, private event spaces, TVs for sports viewing.
• Anvil Beverage Company (Contract Manufacturing) Contract manufacturing division of AleSmith for Southern California beverage co-packing. Services include beer, ciders, coffee drinks, hard teas, seltzers, kombuchas, and canned cocktails. Features custom Steinecker 85 bbl brew system, 20 bbl pilot system, high-efficiency centrifuge, and canning line up to 300 cans per minute.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18+ Great American Beer Festival medals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Diego FCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2025AleSmith Brewing is an Official Partner of San Diego FC (SDFC), hosting official watch parties and soccer-related events at the tasting room. The partnership includes live music, raffles, giveaways, and soccer simulators during match events.
• Tony Gwynn FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with the Gwynn family through the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation (TAG). A portion of .394 Pale Ale proceeds go to the foundation supporting underprivileged San Diego youth. The collaboration began in 2014 with Tony Gwynn directly.
• Helen Woodward Animal CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual PAWmicon event partner - Helen Woodward Animal Center's pet cosplay event held at AleSmith venue. Event includes pet costume contests, vendor fairs, and family activities.
• Ground Floor MuralscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with local muralists for Tony Gwynn tribute artwork. Ground Floor Murals creates Tony Gwynn murals featured on beer labels for Mr. Padre commemorative releases. Social media contests select locations for murals.
• Vegan Food Popup EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly San Diego Vegan Night Market hosted at AleSmith. First event held June 7th, featuring 30+ vendors with diverse cuisines. AleSmith provides venue, food truck partners rotate daily.
• Biersal Food Truck, The Raclette Stand, Pretzels and PintsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman-style food vendors for annual Oktoberfest celebration. Food trucks provide Bavarian cuisine during festival weekends at the AleSchmidt Biergarten.
• CODO DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign and branding collaboration for cider product line launch. Isaac Arthur and Cody Fague from CODO Design created visual identity and packaging for AleSmith Craft Ciders.
• Chad Stevens / Schaerbeek Cherry GrowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego-based brewer Chad Stevens collaborated to bring Schaerbeek cherry trees to California for Handgeplukt Kriek production. 200 trees shipped from Belgium in 2020, grown in Jamul, CA.
• Bavarian Beer Garden BandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive music entertainment during Oktoberfest celebrations. Band performs 2 PM to 6 PM during festival weekends.
• CheeseSmithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeter Zien's professional cheese operation launched in 2019, operated in back of AleSmith building. Available for purchase in the gift shop restocked every Thursday. Classic European beer and cheese pairing concept.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Stone Brewing: Iconic San Diego craft brewery producing IPAs, stouts, and barrel-aged beers at materially larger scale (~325K bbls at peak). Operates its own taproom and restaurant venues, with strong awards pedigree and broad national distribution—directly comparable to AleSmith on geography, awards, and product mix.
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company: San Diego-founded craft brewery (1989) with multiple brewpub locations, regional distribution, and a diversified portfolio of year-round and seasonal beers. Highly comparable in scale, San Diego heritage, and DTC-plus-wholesale business model.
• Green Flash Brewing Company: San Diego-based craft brewery (founded 2002) known for hop-forward IPAs and barrel-aged programs. Operates a tasting room and distributes nationally; comparable in geography, age, and emphasis on hop-forward styles, though AleSmith has outperformed Green Flash on award velocity.
• Ballast Point Brewing Company: San Diego craft brewery (founded 1996) famous for Sculpin IPA, now owned by Constellation Brands. Comparable to AleSmith on heritage, geography, and product mix (IPAs, stouts, and barrel-aged releases) but at significantly larger scale post-acquisition.
• Russian River Brewing Company: Platinum award-winning craft brewery (Santa Rosa, CA) renowned for Pliny the Elder/Elder double IPAs and barrel-aged sour programs. Comparable to AleSmith on awards pedigree (multiple RateBeer top rankings), premium positioning, and barrel-aged specialization.
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company: California craft brewery (Paso Robles) with strong barrel-aging program (Proprietor's Vintage Series), multiple GABF medals, and broad distribution. Comparable to AleSmith on awards caliber, barrel-aged expertise, and California craft positioning, though at larger scale.
• Bell's Brewery: Michigan-based craft brewery (founded 1985) with strong IPAs (Two Hearted), barrel-aging programs, and broad Midwest/East Coast distribution. Comparable to AleSmith on family ownership, beer-first focus, and awards reputation.
• Deschutes Brewery: Oregon craft brewery (founded 1988) producing Mirror Pond and Black Butte Porter, with broad regional distribution and a pub/tasting room. Comparable to AleSmith on portfolio breadth, regional craft positioning, and pub-anchored DTC experience.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Company: One of the largest U.S. craft brewers (~1.1M bbls), founded 1979 in Chico, CA. Comparable to AleSmith on innovation portfolio (NA beer, IPA leadership, hop-forward styles) but operates at much greater scale with national and international distribution.
• New Belgium Brewing Company: Fort Collins, CO craft brewery (founded 1991), now part of Lion Little World Beverages. Comparable to AleSmith on innovation (Voodoo Ranger IPA, NA offerings) and sustainability positioning, though at substantially larger scale and broader distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AleSmithBrewing
• Facebookfacebook.com/AleSmithBrewingCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alesmithbrewing
• Instagraminstagram.com/AleSmithBrewing
• TikToktiktok.com/@alesmithbrewing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AleSmith Brewing