Our fifth of 12 candidates for America's Next Top Beer ...

Anvil ESB Ale
AleSmith Brewing Company -- San Diego

The beer craftsmen at AleSmith might be the best thing to happen to San Diego since Dan Fouts. "AleSmith makes truly artisan beers, holding true to its company beliefs and values," The Beer Sommelier, Matt Simpson, notes. "[They make] hand-crafted, blue-ribbon ales for true beer lovers."

And the top of the AleSmith line may be their Anvil ESB Ale. Healthy notes of caramel and hops make this English-style extra special bitter a virtually perfect brew -- sweet at first taste, but crisp and dry on the way down. The refined palates at the World Beer Championships agreed, sending gold back to San Diego.

The final word:

The Beer Sommelier: "Traditional"

To see a roundup of all the nominated beers, and to get more information on our Microbrewed Beer of the Month giveaway, check out our America's Next Top Beer hub.

Which microbrew should be America's Next Top Beer?
AleSmith Anvil ESB Ale104 (1.2%)
Alpha King252 (2.9%)
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout 411 (4.8%)
Bell's Two-Hearted Ale882 (10.3%)
Brooklyn Lager649 (7.5%)
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA 262 (3.0%)
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA1198 (13.9%)
Lagunitas Brewing's IPA417 (4.9%)
New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber2488 (28.9%)
Ommegang Abbey Ale369 (4.3%)
Stone Pale Ale1204 (14.0%)
Surly Brewing Co.'s Furious361 (4.2%)