Samuel Smith's India Pale Ale Beer, Tadcaster, England

Samuel Smith's India Pale Ale Beer is a traditionally made English ale with a full, malt-led character balanced by expressive fruity hops. Brewed with hard well water drawn from the Old Brewery's original 1758 well, malted barley, yeast, and a generous amount of aroma hops, it is fermented in traditional stone Yorkshire squares to develop depth, texture, and complexity. At 5% ABV, the beer retains a measured balance between rounded malt richness and aromatic hop character, reflecting Samuel Smith's longstanding commitment to traditional Yorkshire brewing methods.

Product Details:

• Ingredients: Water, malted barley, yeast, and hops
• Water Source: Hard well water drawn from the Old Brewery's original well, sunk in 1758 and reaching 85 feet underground
• Hops: Generous addition of aroma hops
• Fermentation: Fermented in traditional stone Yorkshire squares
• ABV: 5%
• Dietary: Registered with The Vegan Society; suitable for vegans and vegetarians
• Production: Brewed with well water, malted barley, yeast, and aroma hops, with Yorkshire square fermentation contributing to its full-flavoured malt and fruity hop character

Sensory Description:

Samuel Smith's India Pale Ale Beer opens with a pronounced malt character accompanied by fruity, aromatic hops. The palate is full-flavoured and complex, with rounded maltiness providing depth while the generous hop component brings fruit-driven lift and definition. Rather than emphasizing aggressive bitterness, the beer balances its malt richness with fragrant hop character, carrying both elements through a persistent, flavourful finish.

Awards & Accolades:

• Silver: The Global Beer Masters, The Global Masters 2017

Brewer's Background:

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery occupies one of the historic brewing sites of Tadcaster's long brewing tradition. The brewery's original well was sunk in 1758 and remains in use, supplying hard water from 85 feet below ground for beers including India Ale. Samuel Smith established the brewery under his own name at the Old Brewery in 1886 after the earlier John Smith brewing operation moved to new premises. Traditional production remains central to the brewery's identity, including the continued use of stone Yorkshire squares for fermentation. India Ale also carries a direct visual connection to the brewery's Victorian history: its bottle label is based on Samuel Smith's Victorian letterhead from the period when the brewery was a contractor supplying Her Majesty Queen Victoria's forces.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 51°F (11°C), ideally in a nonic pint, English ale glass, or tulip that allows its malt and fruity hop aromas to develop. Its combination of rounded maltiness and aromatic hop character works particularly well with roast beef, meat pies, aged cheddar, grilled sausages, fish and chips, and other savory dishes where the beer's malt depth can complement richness while its hops provide balance.