AleSmith’s My Bloody Valentine

AleSmith Brewing Company My Bloody Valentine Ale: Part of the pioneering mid-1990s wave of San Diego brewing history that also includes the development of Stone and Pizza Port, AleSmith likes to get weird with creative seasonal releases, and this one, perfectly timed for this week’s love holiday, is really just a tweak on Halloween’s Evil Dead Red Ale. (Hence the 6.66% alcohol.)

The beer is about as red as beer gets, and features a sweet maltiness (which makes is pleasurably slurpable) with enough flowery hops to keep it intriguing, but not so much that only hopheads will enjoy.

Though you can share it with your significant other, it’s proudly positioned to be your date all by itself.

Available at Bin 2860 in Los Olivos. See bin2860.com and alesmith.com.