Interesting news in collegiate beer, as AleSmith Brewing recently announced a partnership with San Diego State University to become its official craft brewery, and brew the official beer—San Diego State Ale. It’s a sessionable and light 4.7% ABV and is now available year round.

Press release:

AleSmith Brewing Company announced as the Official Craft Brewery of San Diego State University

With the opening of Snapdragon Stadium this Saturday and the upcoming fall sports season, AleSmith Brewing Company and San Diego State University are excited to announce AleSmith as the official craft beer. This partnership kicks off the 2022-2023 football season with the launch of State Ale, a collaboration beer between the University and brewery that will be available throughout San Diego.

“We look forward to partnering with AleSmith Brewing, one of the premier craft breweries in the world,” said San Diego State Director of Athletics John David Wicker. “San Diego State shares AleSmith’s similar values of family and community, and we’re excited to have AleSmith as our official craft brewery.”

“We are proud to collaborate on State Ale with a world-class brewery such as AleSmith,” said San Diego State Executive Associate Athletic Director, Mission Valley Development Derek Grice. “We were committed to bring a beer to the San Diego community for all to enjoy, and I think we’ve created something that all San Diegans can be proud of.”

In addition to the collaborative brew, SDSU and AleSmith will partner on future projects around the University and athletic department.

“As an alum from SDSU, starting a relationship and working with my alma mater is an especially exciting opportunity for me and AleSmith,” said AleSmith President Brandon Richards. “San Diego State and AleSmith are built upon similar ethos with a commitment to excellence and our community making this an ideal partnership.”

AleSmith x SDSU State Ale is an easy-drinking, light ale that is crisp and refreshing. Coming in at 4.7% ABV, this light ale was brewed to complement stadium tailgates, backyard barbecues, and ritualistic pregame traditions. A State Ale in hand while cheering on the SDSU Aztecs is a winning combination on game day or at any time.

“We’re excited to bring this beer to San Diego State supporters, we promise to deliver on fun and innovative ways to experience our collaboration,” Richards said. “We strive to be San Diego’s hometown brewery, with our .394 Pale and now San Diego State Ale we made a big step toward serving up great options for San Diegans. We want to see fans all across San Diego raise a State Ale together and proudly yell ‘I believe that we will win.’”

AleSmith, best known for it’s .394 Pale Ale, a collaboration with Tony Gwynn, is home to San Diego’s largest tasting room with a 109,942 square-foot facility and state-of-the-art brewery located centrally off Miramar Rd. The brewery plans to partner with SDSU on events at their location including Aztec watch parties, alumni gatherings, and more.

State Ale will be available in 12oz 6-pack cans, 12-pack cans, and on draft at Snapdragon Stadium along with bars and restaurants throughout San Diego, and at the AleSmith Tasting Room. To find out more about State Ale or to find it on draft near you, click here.

ABV: 4.7%

AleSmith Brewing Company and San Diego State University are dedicated to responsible drinking, please enjoy responsibly.

About AleSmith Brewing Company:

Forged in 1995, AleSmith has been recognized by consumers and critics alike as one of the world’s foremost craft brewing companies, with accolades that include medals won at prestigious national and international beer competitions. In addition to being well-established within its hometown of San Diego, AleSmith was acknowledged by the RateBeer community as one of the Top 10 Best Breweries nationwide in 2019 and 2020. The brewery is also a three-time winner of the Champion Brewery Award at the San Diego International Beer Competition, where it received a Gold Medal in 2019 for Nut Brown English Brown Ale. Further recognition for individual beers includes a 2016 Gold Medal for Old Numbskull and a 2022 Gold Medal for Wee Heavy at the World Beer Cup. AleSmith occupies a 109,942 square-foot facility with a state-of-the-art brewery. AleSmith’s range of acclaimed beers includes Speedway Stout, Nut Brown Ale, and San Diego Pale Ale .394, distributed in 21 U.S. states and nine countries.

Colleges getting officially licensed beers seems to be something of a trend in recent years, or so Google indicates. It’s an interesting idea, but on the other hand, a good number of the student body aren’t officially old enough to drink either…