Samuel Smiths Old Brewery Bitter (Cask)

Brewed by Samuel Smith
Style: Bitter
Tadcaster, England

One of the great drinking travesties is that the dross brewed at Tadcasters other Smiths goes global whilst this little gem stays at home. Proper session bitter that tastes just as nice at 11pm as it did at 7. SAm Smiths pubs are pretty much a love em or hate em experience, but they can never be accused of putting branding ahead of brewing.

Sam smiths is known round our way as producing cracking ale at dirt cheap prices (<£1.30), and if the landlord is up to his job, their bitter is a good "quantity" beer - forget what it tastes like after a half, it's good for a serious session without being sickly or gassey. I went to tadcaster on a brewery trip from my local, and it was markedly better out there to be honest, though if the pub doesn't shift enough it can be a bit iffy, but get it at a good pub and you'll be a regular. Blathered for <15 quid, no hiccups on a good bitter! it does lack a bit of an edge for perfection though. I've read all the other reviews, and don't always recognise the fella, but "dull" would maybe sum it up IMO.

Pint pulled at The Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street (London), a milky white that settles to an orange body with a full creamy head. A floral aroma with hints of citrus. Citrus strong again in the flavour (oranges I think) with further hints of melon. Very smooth on the palate with a slight bitterness left on the tongue.

In the Kings Arms, York, dark amber and a good head, fruity aroma, very nice bitter taste, good beer.

A lovely, endlessley drinkable creamy session bitter when stored and served well, but beware; on draft this sours very easily if the bar staff aren’t on the ball. If it doesn’t taste right, it probably isn’t; don’t be afraid to send a bad pint back.

A pleasant beer, not my favorite, but very drinkable. malts and hops well balanced and tastey.

Draught: pours a dark amber with a nice creamy head. Light malty hop aroma that isn't all that unique. . . great flavour with toffee, clean, bitter hops and some wood. Good clean finish, spot on with the fish and chips at the pub in London.

On cask at the Princess LOuise in London. Pours beatifully with cascades of foam and a brilliant amber color. Slightly tan, creamy head and not-quite-complete sheets of lace. Fruity aroma with hints of citrus and toffee. Exceptionally flavorful for a bitter. Strong notes of apple with a crips, tart edge. Slightly vinous. Soft and fuzzy on the palate. Perfect cask-condition carbonation. A memorable beer drinking experience.