This brewery looks like it won’t be available for much longer in Ireland. If you have ever had anything from these guys, you’ll know how much the Irish market will miss them.

A few hours after posting, we were informed by the supplier that Samuel Smith is staying available in ROI! That’s brilliant news! So keep an eye out for the rest of the range.

This is probably one of my favourite lagers, so I’m delighted to get this beer for our Advent Calendar before it leaves the Irish market.

Samuel Smith Pure Brewed Organic Lager

• ABV: 5%
• Style: Lager
• Brewery: Samuel Smith
• Origin: Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England

Samuel Smith uses stone Yorkshire squares (for fermentation), made of solid blocks of slate, to ferment all its ales and stouts (except Sovereign and Extra Stout) and the same yeast strain has been used since the 1800s. The yeast is roused during fermentation to get oxygen to the yeast underneath the roof of the stone square. The system of fermentation results in a particularly full-bodied, rich, malty tasting beer.

They are Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, founded in 1758. Samuel Smith is known as a highly traditional and somewhat eccentric operator of around 200 pubs due to its continued use of dray, bans on music, mobile devices, bad language, and low beer prices.

Having had the pleasure of getting to visit one of these pubs, it just reaffirmed my love of this traditional brewery.

Tasting Notes:

• Appearance: Bright, golden with short lived white fluffy head.
• Aroma: Corny sweetness, doughy bread, very slight herbal notes.
• Flavour: Grainy malt with Corny sweetness, clean, dry finish.
• Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium carbonation.