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

1759Girl

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance> I must say that I'm a bit impressed. This looks every bit as a fruit beer should. It's got a beautiful rosy glow, medium liveliness. Big white head that dissipates slowly and thick lacing. It has me even wanting to try it... and while I try to review them fairly for the style, I'm not a big fan of the style in general.

Smell> Leads with the fresh cut strawberry nose, but also has grain and alcohol.

Taste>Also, must claim that I'm impressed. This is the second fruit beer that didn't make me want to hurl just a little. While it's sweeter than I prefer to drink, it's great for it's style. There is a nice subtle complexity to the beer, where it goes through moments of sweetness, and tartness to a crisp lageriness, and then to a mellow hang of strawberries.

Mouf> Average. Nuffin fancy.

Drink> Not everyday, and not many, but sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 03:01:19 | More by 1759Girl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-17-2013 23:13:38 | More by kylehay2004

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.2%

05-15-2013 18:24:38 | More by twenty5

Tmckeithan

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-15-2013 02:42:40 | More by Tmckeithan

ajtorres311

Florida

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-10-2013 17:05:49 | More by ajtorres311

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

04-29-2013 00:01:45 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

JMS1512

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

04-27-2013 22:48:26 | More by JMS1512

Caskaway

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.4%

04-24-2013 10:56:10 | More by Caskaway

smartassboiler

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.4%

04-21-2013 07:27:17 | More by smartassboiler

JHurley

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

04-21-2013 01:44:45 | More by JHurley

constantine_272

Oregon

3.66/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Hazy red with light cream head. Good semi-sticky foam retention.

S: Sweet strawberry. Almost like syrup. Mild vanilla.

T: Sweet up front and finishing very sweet. Reminds me of a strawberry Italian soda. Mild tart sourness finishes longer. Hard to pick out much more than sweet. The mild tartness is its saving grace.

M: Light and crisp and epravescant. Would be great served freezing on a hot summer day.

O: I liked it but it lacked a depth of flavor; the strawberry took over. Well done for a fruit beer, but I prefer a little more sour or a little less sweet.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:29:19 | More by constantine_272

DrunkenMonk

California

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

04-10-2013 04:13:52 | More by DrunkenMonk

shehateme

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -20.2%

03-30-2013 21:21:05 | More by shehateme

wrightst

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

03-28-2013 21:48:43 | More by wrightst

bigbeers84

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +6.4%

03-26-2013 09:42:58 | More by bigbeers84

vicsju1991

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

03-25-2013 20:53:42 | More by vicsju1991

Phillyz

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

03-24-2013 01:09:13 | More by Phillyz

Hendry

Vermont

4.09/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A friend recently stated that some beers are meant to "share," and Sam L. Smith's Organic Starwberry Ale fits squarely into that category. Not so much because of the quality, but the drinkability factor: a little of this goes a long way!

Pours into the glass an opaque dark red color with a tiny white head, has the aroma of Swiss strawberry jam with a yeasty-barley funk to it. The flavor and the mouthfeel is not far off from a Belgian Lambic fruit brew, and any British Ale qualities are that were once present before the organic strawberry juice was added are lost in the mix.

By itself, and particularly followed by another beer, this bottle is a chore to get through. I would recommend this as a desert beer or one to share with a freind or two. With a price tag of $3.59 for the 16.9 oz bottle, the gamble is small and might be worth a try for a change of pace, but overall not nearly as drinkable as the Wells Banana Bread Beer which does not wallop your palate and still retains the quality of a decent British Ale.

One last caveat: Sam L. Smith's never dates their product, so there is an inherent roll of the dice as to the freshness of what you are purchasing whenever buying this brand, and is not a positive attribute by any means. Keep in mind I have always been a fan of their original Pale Ale and recognize their Stouts/Porters are highly regarded.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 05:09:21 | More by Hendry

BlackAura

Alberta (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

03-17-2013 05:03:09 | More by BlackAura

Lare453

Florida

4/5  rDev +6.4%

03-13-2013 02:43:25 | More by Lare453

alelover

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

03-11-2013 20:26:26 | More by alelover

draftpunk

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

03-08-2013 20:04:55 | More by draftpunk

match1112

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

03-03-2013 00:28:12 | More by match1112

brock146

Minnesota

4.31/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - Copper in color with reddish white head

S - Smells like strawberry jam!

T - Sweet like strawberry candy with a hint of fermented alcohol flavor.

M - Smooth and carbonated, sticky feel.

O - A terrific fruit ale. Samuel Smith's delivers another fantastic beverage. I love this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 20:35:26 | More by brock146

Kerrie

Michigan

4.59/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I just died and went to fruit beer heaven!

A- An opaque copper color, frothy head with high retention, and heavy lacing.

S- Smells like strawberry jam!

T- Tastes like strawberry jam as well. I have a sweet tooth and I'm loving this right now. If you're one to dislike sweet things, I wouldn't recommend it, but it is highly recommended to anyone who does. While it says it's made with fruit juice, it doesn't taste artificial to me, which is a huge plus.

M- Like a heavily carbonated juice.

I can't believe I didn't try this sooner! I kept passing it up for the other Sam Smith stouts (also awesome) but I'm interested in their other fruit beers now.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 02:00:51 | More by Kerrie