The English brown ale is one of the great sessionable ale styles, and Samuel Smith’s version is the benchmark. It is smooth, nutty and gently sweet, with a lovely toasted-malt character, and it comes from Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, which still ferments the old way. If you want to know what a proper brown ale tastes like, this is it. I picked up a batch for this guide.
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale at a glance
| Style | English brown ale |
| ABV | 5.0% |
| Calories | Around 150 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Samuel Smith’s, Tadcaster, England |
| Character | Toasted nut, caramel, biscuit, smooth |
| Best served | Cool, in a pint glass |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a smooth, malt-led brown ale, nutty and gently sweet rather than bitter or roasty.
The full review
It pours a clear, deep reddish-brown with a soft tan head. The aroma is warm and inviting, toasted nuts, caramel and a biscuity malt base.
The flavour is smooth and malt-led. There is a lovely toasted-nut and caramel character, a light biscuity sweetness and a soft, low bitterness that keeps it clean. It is rounded and easy rather than complex, and all the better for it.
That smooth nuttiness is exactly what a great brown ale should be. It is a proper sessionable ale, satisfying and moreish, and the quality from Samuel Smith’s shines through. At 5% it is drinkable but has a bit more depth than a bitter.
It is the benchmark English brown ale and a lovely, characterful pint. If you have never tried the style, start here.
That smooth nuttiness is exactly what a great brown ale should be.
- The benchmark English brown ale
- Smooth, nutty and gently sweet
- Sessionable and moreish
- From a historic Yorkshire brewery
- Malt-led, low on hops
- Understated if you want big flavour
Who it is for
If you want a smooth, nutty, characterful English ale, Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown is the benchmark. Perfect for anyone who loves malty, sessionable beers.
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale FAQs
What is an English brown ale?
An English brown ale is a smooth, malt-led ale with a nutty, toasted, gently sweet character and a low bitterness. It is a classic sessionable pub style. Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is a benchmark example.
What does Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale taste like?
Toasted nuts and caramel over a biscuity malt base, with a light sweetness and a soft, low bitterness. It is smooth, rounded and very easy to drink.
How strong is Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
It is 5% ABV, a touch fuller than a standard bitter but still very sessionable.
Where to buy Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is available in bottles across much of the US. Buy it using the button above.
The verdict
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is the benchmark English brown ale, smooth, nutty and gently sweet with lovely toasted malt. A characterful, sessionable pint from a historic brewery.
FAQs
Who makes Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is brewed by Samuel Smith’s (independently, family-owned, and the oldest brewery in Yorkshire).
What kind of beer is Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is an English brown ale, at 5.0% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale has an ABV of 5.0%.
How many calories are in Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale has Around 150 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale made?
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is brewed by Samuel Smith’s in Tadcaster, England. For more from that country, see our best England beers guide.
What is a good alternative to Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
If you can’t find Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, Newcastle Brown Ale is a close alternative in the same English brown ale category.
How do I open Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale?
Cool, in a pint glass. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
