Samuel Smith's Organic Raspberry Fruit Beer - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

550 mL bottle from the LCBO; bottled on Apr 11 2012.

Pours a deep reddish-bronze colour, with a bright ruby-red tinge under the light. Atop the surface, nearly two fingers of dense, pinkish-beige head is seated. It wilts away over a period of a few minutes, smearing the glass with a ring of lacing, and leaving a thin cap on the surface. Potent aroma with lots of sweet tartness; it really reminds me of raspberry jam, but there are also notes of cranberry and red vinegar.

One thing's for sure, they certainly didn't skimp with the fruit flavouring - the taste is just as intense as the aroma, with jammy raspberry juice being an ever-present factor throughout the profile. A little wheat malt sweetness, but mostly quite tart with a pronounced sourness that vaguely reminds me of the only framboise lambic I've ever had. Some slight earthy, vinous notes toward the finish, with a tart aftertaste. Medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation and a fairly crisp mouthfeel. Not very sessionable... one bottle is plenty, after that I imagine it would get cloying for most people.

I've been on a bit of a fruit beer binge over the last week or so, and of the whole lot this is definitely one of my favourites. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone - obviously if you don't like raspberries or fruity beer in general, this will probably be either unimpressive or unappealing to you. As for me... raspberry brews tend to rank among my favourite fruit beers, and this one is much more of a pleasure to drink than any of the domestic counterparts I've tried.

Final Grade: 4.23, a very respectable A-. Samuel Smith's Organic Raspberry has a nearly overwhelming fruity character to it, one that I enjoyed immensely - though I can certainly understand why another drinker might not have the same reaction. It isn't for the faint of heart, nor is it for purists who dislike the style in general. It is, however, one damn fine fruit beer that I'd love to have again some time. Definitely worth a try - a great summer refresher. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 04:42:19 | More by thehyperduck

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

05-09-2013 05:01:11 | More by Kelp

Tumble

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%

05-01-2013 21:24:14 | More by Tumble

Angryzen

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +11%

05-01-2013 01:34:34 | More by Angryzen

JMS1512

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

04-27-2013 22:48:09 | More by JMS1512

GraduatedCashew

California

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

04-25-2013 16:55:04 | More by GraduatedCashew

wedge

North Carolina

3.74/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a beautiful, deep ruby color with a billowy pink head that compresses to a dense, lumpy slab in the center. Deep, sweet, almost creamy raspberry juice in the nose. Big raspberry flavor as well...juicy, sweet, and somewhat tart. Slightly dry in the finish, medium bodied, and a little slick. Very fruity, but thankfully not too sweet or syrupy. Quite the refreshing beverage, but pretty much just raspberry juice.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 23:42:32 | More by wedge

alex_hart

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

04-20-2013 16:19:35 | More by alex_hart

alamode

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

04-15-2013 10:36:50 | More by alamode

jsurfs82

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

04-05-2013 23:57:06 | More by jsurfs82

tbryan5

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

04-05-2013 14:47:22 | More by tbryan5

Zach136

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

04-01-2013 20:03:08 | More by Zach136

grittybrews

Washington

4/5  rDev +4.4%

03-31-2013 03:17:12 | More by grittybrews

Lanstrum

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +24%

03-30-2013 01:31:48 | More by Lanstrum

Herky21

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

03-25-2013 12:39:17 | More by Herky21

Lare453

Florida

4/5  rDev +4.4%

03-24-2013 19:20:17 | More by Lare453

HollyHops

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%

03-22-2013 02:38:24 | More by HollyHops

vicsju1991

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +24%

03-14-2013 20:45:19 | More by vicsju1991

Phillyz

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +11%

03-14-2013 02:40:54 | More by Phillyz

match1112

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +11%

03-03-2013 00:28:31 | More by match1112

Kerrie

Michigan

4.16/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I reviewed the Organic Strawberry last week and loved it, so it's time to give this one a shot!

A- Looks dark copper with a pinkish head (one finger or so, which doesn't last too long) and some decent lacing.

S- Smells like tart fruit, thankfully not artificial. Not sure if I'd be able to tell it was raspberry simply due to the smell, though.

T- Tastes like tart raspberries. The aftertaste is pleasant and lingers for quite a bit.

M- Light and fruity, but not thin or watery. Perfect for this type of beer.

Overall, I like it, but I was far more impressed with the strawberry. I suppose it depends on your fruit preference, though. That said, the Organic Strawberry had more of a strawberry/sweet flavor than this does a raspberry one.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 01:25:17 | More by Kerrie

bdonley5

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +11%

02-24-2013 02:31:37 | More by bdonley5

Danielr26

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

02-18-2013 19:02:02 | More by Danielr26

oline73

Maryland

3.46/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a wine glass.

Pours a hazy reddish color with some off white head. The smell is quite mild and not overly fruity. The flavor is quite sweet and full of raspberries. A bit like fruit juice with an acidic note as well. Nothing I need to have again.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 23:00:26 | More by oline73

buckyp

South Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

02-13-2013 03:00:28 | More by buckyp