For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be drinking the Organically Produced Ale brew by the Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (Tadcaster) located in Tadcaster, England.

This brewery needs no introduction, so let’s just get to the website, samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk, and find out what this beer is all about.

A delicately flavoured golden ale in which subtle fruity esters from the Samuel Smith yeast strain interact with a background of maltiness and fresh hops. Brewed with water, organic malted barley, organic hops and yeast; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’.

Into the glass it goes. 

This brew comes in a 12 oz. bottle and it has an ABV of 5.0%.

The beer poured a golden brown to deep rustic orange color.  It was somewhat hazy with some burnt orange highlights showing through around the curves of the glass.  The cap was off white, mostly smooth and semi-creamy.  It was kind of small in stature from a medium aggressive pour and the retention time was just “ok”.  The lacing was only average, but it did subside to a nice little ring around the edge of the glass.

The aroma revealed a very earthy and herbal hop punch to begin with.  Followed by hints of butter, sour dough breads and biscuits.  Some definite fruity aspects along the lines of apricot and cranberry juice.  A little bit of sweet caramel malt really started to become more prevalent once the brew began to warm.  Overall, the nose was quite harmonized and balanced.

The taste divulged a bit more of that earthy and herbal hop profile.  I got quite a bit more of that cranberry juice flavor too along with some other types of dried fruit, of which I was having a hard time identifying.  A very firm toasted grain profile was distinguished and some sweet bread gave the savor a bit of “roundness”.  A decent snap of bitterness danced on the tongue for a parting shot while the malt handled the stability.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied, smooth, slick, dry and crisp.  The carbonation was spot on and a decent amount of flavor was left behind after each sip.

I think we have a pretty good beer here.  Like all Samuel Smith’s brews, this one fits the style very well.  This product would make for a great session beer on a lazy afternoon that’s for sure.  I enjoyed the nice little “twist” with the cranberry juice tones.  I think that sets this apart, albeit ever so slightly, from other English Pale Ales.  If you have the opportunity to try the Samuel Smith’s Organically Produced Ale, I’d say give it a try.  I think you would enjoy it.  For me, it’s just a solid, worthwhile and enjoyable drink.   

Thanks for reading and commenting folks.  I really appreciate it.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  3.75 out of 5
Grade:  B