Samuel Smith’s makes a whole range of organic beers, and its Organic Pale Ale is a clean, crisp take on the English pale ale. It is a touch lighter and hoppier than the brewery’s nut brown, and it has the same old-world quality you expect from Yorkshire’s oldest brewery. I picked up a batch for this guide.
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale at a glance
| Style | English pale ale |
| ABV | 5.0% |
| Calories | Around 150 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Samuel Smith’s, Tadcaster, England |
| Character | Biscuit malt, light citrus, gentle hops |
| Best served | Cool, in a pint glass |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a clean, crisp English pale ale, balanced with a touch more hop lift than a bitter.
The full review
It pours a clear golden-amber with a soft white head. The aroma is clean and fresh, biscuity malt with a light citrus and floral hop note.
The flavour is crisp and balanced. There is a light biscuity malt base, a gentle citrus and earthy hop character and a clean, dry, moderately bitter finish. It is a touch lighter and hoppier than the brewery’s classic ales, which makes it very refreshing.
The organic ingredients and the brewery’s traditional methods give it a clean, honest quality. It is not a bold, hop-forward pale ale, it is a well-made, balanced English one, easy to drink and hard to fault.
A clean, crisp, well-made organic pale ale from a historic brewery. A reliable, refreshing English pint.
The organic ingredients and traditional methods give it a clean, honest quality.
- Clean, crisp and well made
- Balanced with a gentle hop lift
- Organic ingredients
- Refreshing and easy to drink
- Not a bold, hop-forward pale ale
- Understated rather than exciting
Who it is for
If you want a clean, crisp, balanced English pale ale, this organic version is a reliable choice. Perfect for refreshing, everyday drinking.
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale FAQs
What does Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale taste like?
A light biscuity malt base with a gentle citrus and earthy hop character and a clean, dry, moderately bitter finish. It is crisp, balanced and refreshing.
Is Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale actually organic?
Yes. It is brewed with organic ingredients as part of Samuel Smith’s range of certified organic beers, using the brewery’s traditional Yorkshire methods.
How is it different from an American pale ale?
It is more balanced and malt-friendly, with a gentler hop character, where an American pale ale is far more hop-forward and citrusy. This is a traditional English take on the style.
Where to buy Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale is available in bottles across much of the US. Buy it using the button above.
The verdict
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale is a clean, crisp, well-made English pale ale with biscuity malt and a gentle hop lift. A reliable, refreshing pint from a historic brewery.
FAQs
Who makes Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale is brewed by Samuel Smith’s (independently, family-owned, and the oldest brewery in Yorkshire).
What kind of beer is Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale is an English pale ale, at 5.0% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale has an ABV of 5.0%.
How many calories are in Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale?
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale has Around 150 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale 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 Organic Pale Ale made?
Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale 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 Organic Pale Ale?
If you can’t find Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale, Bass Pale Ale is a close alternative in the same English pale ale category.
How do I open Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale 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 Organic Pale Ale?
Cool, in a pint glass. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
