Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale - Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

marc77

California

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Copper in color and very clear. Moderate, but persistent head. Unfortunately, this bottle was a tad skunked (you might get lucky and get a better bottle) What would be a leafy and earthy Fuggles hop nose has become masked by skunky mercaptans. The skunkiness does dissapate as the beer breathes, and thankfully signature fruity British yeast esters and a butterscotch note assert themselves. Luckily, the skunkiness didn't make its way into the flavor. The moderate hop bitterness is quite clean and adequately balances sweetness from crystal malt and residual sugars left by the yeast. Pleasant mild diacetyl rounds out the flavor. This pale finishes w/ dry biscuit malt notes. The skunkiness prevented this from reaching its potential. My suggestion is to pour the entire bottle into an imperial pint glass and let it "breathe" for several minutes before tasting.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2002 19:24:15 | More by marc77

MMansfield

Nova Scotia (Canada)

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Samuel Smith's gift set.

Appearance: Pours a lovely golden/copper colour with a nice white head, retaining to a beautiful lace.

Aroma: Solid malt backbone with some hops. Hops hidden behind the malt, but still there. Grass, honey, florals, some bread and alcohol.

Taste: Lots of malt. A tad sweet, with medium bitterness in the finish. Yeasty and somewhat astringent, but still good.

Mouthfeel: Nice carbonation, drinkable, a nice EPA.

Final Statement: A bit of a dissapointment for me. As a pale ale fiend, I was excited about this one. Hop presence was minimal, tasted somewhat astringent. I should note that I am a hophead, and the lack of hop character in this beer made me pretty dissapointed. I was a bit harder on this Ale because they have a big reputation, however, It was not bad. It was worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2007 02:08:44 | More by MMansfield

pavandal

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Beer poured a deep ruby color. There was some head to start, but the beer settled and the head dissapeared.

I smelled butterscotch and citrus scents, along with a spicey, almost olive like scent. Interesting!

The taste was lacking something though. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad beer, it just didn't have a lot of flavor depth. A slight hop bite to start things off, followed by a slight citrus burn in the back of the tongue. Overall, this was rather weak on flavors, as far as my tongue can tell.

The mouthfeel and drinkability, though, are excellent. This would make a great sippin' brew, being that it is very light bodied and it's not an all out assault on the senses.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2007 04:09:43 | More by pavandal

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A. Copper color, head dissipates quickly.

S. Slightly hoppy.

T. Sweet like honey with a bit of bitter hops. Well balanced.

M. Light and smooth.

D. Could put a few down. I will say Samual Smith offers better.

Overall: A weaker IPA, left me wanting alittle more.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2008 21:28:35 | More by Stinkypuss

bosox941827

North Carolina

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served cold from a 0.5L bottle into an imperial pint glass....allowed to warm as I tasted.

A - Classic "British" pale ale look, dk. orange/amber/brown, with thin head
S - Some malts and sweetness on the nose, but not much in the way of hops. Not unexpected from a British-style pale ale
T - I'm getting mostly toasted malts, and believe it or not, a bit of alcohol even though it's only 5.0%. Hops are there are there at the end if you wait for them, but they are not prominent.
M - Very smooth, low carbonation as is typical of the style
D - Quite drinkable, but not a "go-to" beer for me, like a bit more assertiveness in my pale alses.

Realize that, as one who is used to an American Pale Ale, this needs to be judged on a different scale, but this doesn't really do it for me. It's a bit "blah", and though the hops start to come through a bit more as it warms, it's still not what you expect from a pale ale. The fact that you can sense the alcohol (not in a good way, for me) is telling. This is a classic and I'm in the minority here, but this one's not in my wheelhouse.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 22:26:31 | More by bosox941827

mscudder

Georgia

3.23/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Into a pint.

A - Deep amber hue, much darker than a traditional pale ale. Two-finger off-white head sits atop. Good retention with some nice lacing.

S - Some sweet caramel malts and biscuit notes. Nothing big going on here.

T - Lots of pale buttery malts with some mild dryness on the finish. This pale ale is on the sweet side but by no means is the sweetness robust.

M - Slightly watery medium body with average carbonation.

O - There seems to be a decent reason why I looked past this brew for such a long time. The other brews out of Sammy Smith's dwarf what this beer presents.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 03:13:29 | More by mscudder

umfskibum

Maine

3.25/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Had a beautiful pour, with a nice finger-width head. Beautiful copper/yellow hue, very clear and nicely carbonated body.

Scent: Very strong malty scent, with a hint of plum. No noticable scent of alcohol.

Taste: As betrayed by the scent, the beer had a very malty taste. Hints of plum and spicyness, and had the biscut/bready taste typical of english pales. Not a particularly complex drink. Becomes more sour towards the bottom of the pint, although that taste is far from unpleasant.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, with just the right amount of carbonation. Nothing spectacular.

Drinkability: All in all, I found this a very average and unremarkable pale. It is wicked easy to drink, even with the sour finish. All in all, I can suggest this as a session beer but would go for a pale with a bit more to distinguish it from the pack.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2006 22:09:25 | More by umfskibum

mj001jk

California

3.25/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear amber color, decent head but little lacing.

Sightly nutty aroma with some dried apple and apricot with aromatic subtle hops.

Silky smooth mouthfeel and a light round sweetness with good bittering. This is a nice light beer with a medium richness that is satisfying. Not too complex but leaves a good taste on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2009 04:18:57 | More by mj001jk

CraftAleRookie

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured in a Dogfish Head Pint Glass

A- Nice clear, deep amber color; 1 finger white head that turned into thick foamy lace. Nice retention.

S- slight sweet hop up front, followed by malt notes. Not an overpowering aroma at all, very light scents.

T- Suprisingly mild taste for such a good looking amber ale- I was expecting more forward flavors. Malts dominate the flavor with just a hint of hops- for a pale ale, the lack of forward hop notes is disappointing.

M- Again, the look of this brew hints to a much livelier feel than is actually experienced. Tame- a bit on the flat side.

D- A malty, light to medium body amber ale that I'd only choose if the only other choices were regular lager.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 17:34:10 | More by CraftAleRookie

Reidrover

Oregon

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

One of the excellent Sam Smith beers I had yet to taste.
Comes in the Sam Smith 550 cl CLEAR bottle of course..with the White rose of Yorkshire prominent on the label.
After pouring into my British Imperial pint mug the beer looks nice crystal clear darkish brown with a rather large frothy off white head..good lacing.
Oh man..this does not smell to good..I detetct a little skunk! I had heard this was a problem with Smiths beers but this is the first time I have had it happen.
The taste is not too badly affected by the skunkiness though..so maybe it was just slightly skunked?Its a well balanced pale ale to be sure malts preedominate..but the hops are ever present underneath.Not a great falvour though.
rather average mouthfeel.
Its drinkable..but I would rather have an American Pale..this is below my expectations for Sam Smith.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2003 15:00:28 | More by Reidrover

Shiloh

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is of a dull murky brown product with a full fingered head which is very typical for these British ales IMHO.
Body is medium/full with very light carbonation.
Aroma initially is lightly skunked with no linger.
The taste starts to the hops but finishes to the malts and continues to linger in a mild syrupy sort of way thanks to the mouthfeel.
Not a big fan of Samuel Smith's Brewery...but, me thinks this may be there best product.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2003 05:16:29 | More by Shiloh

kimcgolf

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

22 oz. bottle. This has an okay aroma and appearance of pale orange with an off-white head, and decent lacing. I thought it tasted good, slightly malty, but unfortunately, it seemed to have a sour, slightly metallic finish that really did not leave me wanting more anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2006 04:00:40 | More by kimcgolf

srandycarter

California

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into the tulip...

A - Dense honey, small head, light sudsy lacing.

S - Malt up front here. Bread-like yeasty note.

T - Simple grain and hop combo. Nothing out of the realm here.

M - Thinner than I hoped but not bad.

D - Good beer. Wish it was a little more complex and fuller bodied.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2007 03:45:42 | More by srandycarter

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Weird appearance, a red and copper color, not seen too often, if ever in a pale ale. Aroma is not apparent.

Taste, a little earthy grassy minimal hop presence. Tastes mild and balanced. Easygoing. Smooth mouthfeel. Approaches the nut brown ale in that characteristic. Tea flavor. Toffee too.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 16:34:22 | More by Beerandraiderfan

EStreet20

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

550 ml bottle poured into a Sam Smith's nonic pint glass.

A - A nice deep amber color topped by a gorgeous fluffy two finger head. Lots of lacing on glass.

S - nice hoppy aroma ( bit grassy) with some sweet malts.

T - Extremely dry witht he tiniest bit of malt sweetness. Not a whole lot going on flavor wise though.

M - A bit more watery than exepcted.

D - I could see this being a good session beer for some but it really just lacks too much in the flavor dept in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2005 02:33:43 | More by EStreet20

jrallen34

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I drank this from a bottle into a chalice.

This beer pours amber with a 2 finger white head and good lacing.

It smeels sweet with vanilla and spices.

Its a very light tasting beer, smooth throughout but nothing to distinguish itself.

This is nothing like a true English Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2009 20:53:13 | More by jrallen34

prosper

Alberta (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours a deep copper. very clear. Big, dense head.

Smells of dark malts - toasty, slight acridness.

Tastes strongly of dark caramel - molasses, dried fruits. Sweet. Not much hop flavour, and only just enough bitterness to balance out the sticky-sweet malt.

Mouthfeel is medium.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2010 01:59:01 | More by prosper

dpasotti

Indiana

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

This is an attractive-looking beer all around. Translucent, light copper shade under a long-lasting, fine ivory head. The aroma is comprised of lightly sweet caramel malt, English hops, and a fruity ester presence.

The taste is quite a bit different, with the yeasty apple/grape flavor in front. The English hop presence is well-balanced and not intrusive. A slightly biscuity and sweet malt base rounds things out. There is also a prominent metallic taste that is appropriate for the style.

Excellent mouthfeel. A medium-full body and modest carbonation render quite a smooth texture. This beer is good but not great, as it falls short in the flavor department. Not one of my favorite styles, nor my favorite brew from Mr. Smith.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 02:22:37 | More by dpasotti

BeerManDan

California

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The color when poured was a dark amber, with a reddish hue. Very little foam, but fair lace retention on the glass. The taste was of mild roasted malts with a lack luster hoppy flavor. Weak on the aftertaste, but a bit to bitter. Overall, not a big smell, weak flavor and a little to bitter.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 00:23:02 | More by BeerManDan

Cpherg

District of Columbia

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Darker apple juice with little to no head, hazy with no suspended particles

S: A cidery, nutty nose with a total absent of hops.

T: Sweet apple with a dry finish. Nice hoppyness. Little beyond apple.

M: Medium bodies beer with a fizzyness that leaves the mouth dry

O: An easy beer to drink, light for a medium bodied beer

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 01:38:19 | More by Cpherg

Damian

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Drank from a 1pt. 2.7fl.oz./550 ml bottle
Served in a Samuel Smith's imperial pint glass
Thanks to my dad for this bottle

The beer poured a slightly hazed, deep crimson-amber. A two-finger crown of tight, frothy, beige colored foam topped the liquid and slowly faded to a lasting cap. Patches of lacing trickled down the glass.

The nose was very British. A bit steely and quite mellow overall. Good dose of biscuity malts. Somewhat toasty. Mild toffee notes. Slightly fruity and moderately sweet.

The flavor profile was decent. Biscuity malts dominated. Some toffee. Touch of noble hops. Fruity in the center. Earthy, bittering hops came through in the finish. Crisp and drying.

The mouthfeel was slick, smooth and somewhat creamy on the palate. Medium bodied with a fine and mild effervescence.

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale might be spot-on for the style, but I found it rather boring. If you have an affinity for British session ales, this might be your cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:22:32 | More by Damian

mnstorm99

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pour looks goo with a nice white head on top on a clear copper beer.
Aroma is malty and floral hops, nothing pronounced, but there, smells a little skunky even.
Taste is lacking, not exciting, not even that good, but ok. It has a malty mix that tastes like almost every other EPA I have had with a touch of spicy floral hop that is kind of nice, but nothing out of the ordinary.
mouthfeel is ok, but over carbonated for me, I could have a couple of these they just really seem plain, but not even that good.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2008 14:26:48 | More by mnstorm99

changeup45

Florida

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pretty good beer but not as good as some of their others. The color is a little darker than most Pale Ales I've tried. It does have a nice foamy tan head and a lot of lace on the glass. The aroma is mild, I just didn't get a whole lot. Malty and spicy flavors with a hoppy, fruity finish. Decent EPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 15:27:28 | More by changeup45

bundy462

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Copper with an off white head.

S: Dominant fruity smell and slightly buttery. Reminds me somewhat of a sweet wine smell.

T: Dominant fruity malt taste that finishes dry. Very slight hops.

M: Medium bodied, carbonation seems a little light.

O: Good, it's a complex pale ale that is a nice change of pace.

A good beer by Samuel Smith, but doesn't even compare to their Nut Brown Ale or Oatmeal Stout.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2010 01:59:44 | More by bundy462

jampics2

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

8oz or so, enjoyed at a beer tasting with Samuel Smith, the son of the current head of the brewery @ the Winking Lizard. Consumed in a branded English half-pint glass.

The beer is copper with some amber and orange highlights. It's not cloudy; instead, it's quite clear and has just a small film of head. Great color but poor head retention.

The smell of this beer is enjoyable but not what I like in the style. I prefer just a touch more expression from the hops. I know English Pale Ales should be more malty than their American counterparts and lack the citrus and pine aromas, but this had very little from the Golding hops Samuel said they use. Some bready malt, caramel, and minor wet cardboard I can only assume was mild oxidation.

The mild malt in the taste sets the stage for what could be an epic beer. But there's little to balance it, just some earthy hops and medium bitterness. Just not as flavorful as I like, and there's no contrast of sweet and bitter flavors.

The mouthfeel is decent, with a crisp medium bodied beer having nice carbonation and a lingering mildly bitter finish.

The pale ale, unfortunately, was my least favorite of the evening. But it paired well with the roast beef, horseradish mashed potatoes, and yorkshire pudding we enjoyed with it. I just wish it was a bit more flavor-forward and expressive. While discussing this with Samuel, we talked about American Pale Ales and he mentioned he enjoyed a few in Seattle the previous evening and said they were fantastic but certainly too hoppy for a session ;)

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 21:07:22 | More by jampics2