Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale | Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
Brewed by:
Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
United Kingdom (England) | website
Style: Fruit / Vegetable Beer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.10%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by minterro on 03-19-2012
Reviews: 95 | Ratings: 380
3.85/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Summer 2016. Cloudy light and golden, lots of bubbles, but little head. Reminds me of a weissbeer or tripel. Looking forward to it.
Smell is muted I was expecting way more and only got faint fruit notes, even as the beer warms up can't figure out what that faint smell is. Fruity for sure.
Taste and Feel I am so conflicted here. Obvious apricot (jam) notes and very sweet, and there are wheat and cereal notes to make it seem like beer, but.... is it juice or beer half the time? I knew what I was getting into when I saw "Apricot beer," but am maybe wishing for a bit more in the way of bitterness/hops instead of fruit? It's tasty and refreshing, and am very glad that in spite of its sweetness it does not linger too much or feel syrupy (helped by carbonation here). This would be great for the girls.
★ 807 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Summer 2016. Cloudy light and golden, lots of bubbles, but little head. Reminds me of a weissbeer or tripel. Looking forward to it.
Smell is muted I was expecting way more and only got faint fruit notes, even as the beer warms up can't figure out what that faint smell is. Fruity for sure.
Taste and Feel I am so conflicted here. Obvious apricot (jam) notes and very sweet, and there are wheat and cereal notes to make it seem like beer, but.... is it juice or beer half the time? I knew what I was getting into when I saw "Apricot beer," but am maybe wishing for a bit more in the way of bitterness/hops instead of fruit? It's tasty and refreshing, and am very glad that in spite of its sweetness it does not linger too much or feel syrupy (helped by carbonation here). This would be great for the girls.
★ 807 characters
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
L:
-pours a hazy golden with a medium,frothy,white head
-medium carbonation visible
S:
-tangerines,apricot,acidic,lemon,lime,wheaty,almost lambic-like barnyard
T:
-Follows the nose plus grassy
-light to medium sourness
F:
-medium carbonation
-light to medium body
O:
A great fruit Beer without too much sweetness
★ 312 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
L:
-pours a hazy golden with a medium,frothy,white head
-medium carbonation visible
S:
-tangerines,apricot,acidic,lemon,lime,wheaty,almost lambic-like barnyard
T:
-Follows the nose plus grassy
-light to medium sourness
F:
-medium carbonation
-light to medium body
O:
A great fruit Beer without too much sweetness
★ 312 characters
3.67/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From notes taken 06/23/16:
Served in Samuel Smith pint glass. British beer while watching the Brexit results, seems appropriate, even for a Yank. Mostly clear golden ale with fruity orange twinge. Delicate off-white foamy head. Strong fruity aroma, apricot I suppose, but really not a far cry from the strawberry fruit ale smell. It does taste a little more overtly like apricot, at least. Light hopping noticed as it settles, but fruity throughout. Unlike the strawberry ale, I think the fact it is not extremely malt-forward makes this a good, rather than mediocre beer. Medium to full in body. Mellow carbonation, a refreshing beverage.
★ 640 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From notes taken 06/23/16:
Served in Samuel Smith pint glass. British beer while watching the Brexit results, seems appropriate, even for a Yank. Mostly clear golden ale with fruity orange twinge. Delicate off-white foamy head. Strong fruity aroma, apricot I suppose, but really not a far cry from the strawberry fruit ale smell. It does taste a little more overtly like apricot, at least. Light hopping noticed as it settles, but fruity throughout. Unlike the strawberry ale, I think the fact it is not extremely malt-forward makes this a good, rather than mediocre beer. Medium to full in body. Mellow carbonation, a refreshing beverage.
★ 640 characters
2.87/5 rDev -26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.75
Appearance: Poured with a thumb of head that didn't lacke but did stick around. The bodly a a cloudy yellow with green notes and low carbonation.
Smell: As expected, the overwhelming presence of Apricots dominates the nose. Warmning doesn't really help or harm it, but only the barest notes of malt can be detected from this one.
Taste: It starts with a pleasent mild fruity apricot taste which is nice, but then when you expect the beer elements to make some form of presence, it's like someone poured concentrated sour apricots and lemon juice over my mouth. It's incredibly tart and sour, honestly to the beer's detriment. This drinks more like cider then beer and next to no malt and certainly no hop presence can be found.
Mouthfeel: Well the aftertaste is expected, apricots so that's nice, but that's where this one ends. This beer doesn't ease you into it's sour element, but hits you like a sack of bricks. The carbonation is low so it doesn't really accent any part of the beer, it comes off as a little bit acidic feeling and I'm left asking where are the hops to reign in some of this?
Drinkability: That acidic note is really doing this beer no favours here. Well is does settle down well, it doesn't come across and refreshing, crisp or even desert like. More, like that you are eating liquidfied fuzzy peach candy.
Final Thoughts: I have no doubt this beer appeals to someone, and indeed someone else may find it superb, but that person is not me. It drinks far more like apricot cider then beer. There's no malt, no bitterness, no anything but sour alcholized apricots. It is to the point where I almost suspect a bad bottle. Regardless, I'll be sticking to St-Ambroise for my Apricot fix, because this is a pass to me. What a shame, my first bad beer from Samuel Smith's, but given this is my 12th beer reviewed from them before hitting something less appealing. I'd say that ain't bad at all, so whatever you do, don't let this poor review in any way influence you to avoid a normally spectacular brewer.
★ 2,029 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.75
Appearance: Poured with a thumb of head that didn't lacke but did stick around. The bodly a a cloudy yellow with green notes and low carbonation.
Smell: As expected, the overwhelming presence of Apricots dominates the nose. Warmning doesn't really help or harm it, but only the barest notes of malt can be detected from this one.
Taste: It starts with a pleasent mild fruity apricot taste which is nice, but then when you expect the beer elements to make some form of presence, it's like someone poured concentrated sour apricots and lemon juice over my mouth. It's incredibly tart and sour, honestly to the beer's detriment. This drinks more like cider then beer and next to no malt and certainly no hop presence can be found.
Mouthfeel: Well the aftertaste is expected, apricots so that's nice, but that's where this one ends. This beer doesn't ease you into it's sour element, but hits you like a sack of bricks. The carbonation is low so it doesn't really accent any part of the beer, it comes off as a little bit acidic feeling and I'm left asking where are the hops to reign in some of this?
Drinkability: That acidic note is really doing this beer no favours here. Well is does settle down well, it doesn't come across and refreshing, crisp or even desert like. More, like that you are eating liquidfied fuzzy peach candy.
Final Thoughts: I have no doubt this beer appeals to someone, and indeed someone else may find it superb, but that person is not me. It drinks far more like apricot cider then beer. There's no malt, no bitterness, no anything but sour alcholized apricots. It is to the point where I almost suspect a bad bottle. Regardless, I'll be sticking to St-Ambroise for my Apricot fix, because this is a pass to me. What a shame, my first bad beer from Samuel Smith's, but given this is my 12th beer reviewed from them before hitting something less appealing. I'd say that ain't bad at all, so whatever you do, don't let this poor review in any way influence you to avoid a normally spectacular brewer.
★ 2,029 characters
4.34/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: darker shade of yellow, but not too dark. Good head, with not much retention
Smell: Fully of apricot, very good smell, very lovely.
Taste: A lot of apricot taste up front, very sweet. Some maltiness creeps up at the end and dampen the apricot taste a bit, but not much.
An extremely thirst-quenching drink. Very lovely. Will recommend and buy it again.
★ 361 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: darker shade of yellow, but not too dark. Good head, with not much retention
Smell: Fully of apricot, very good smell, very lovely.
Taste: A lot of apricot taste up front, very sweet. Some maltiness creeps up at the end and dampen the apricot taste a bit, but not much.
An extremely thirst-quenching drink. Very lovely. Will recommend and buy it again.
★ 361 characters
4.09/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
550 mL bottle from the LCBO; dated Jan 18 2016 and served well-chilled. I never noticed how easy it is to smudge those bottling date stamps off.
Pours a hazy golden-orange colour, generating a full inch of frothy white foam at the surface which proceeds to wily away over the next couple of minutes. A bubbly film remains on the surface afterwards, rimmed by a thin, soapy collar and some scant lace. Visually, it's about what I'd expect from an apricot beer, and the nose only reinforces that precept - tart apricot and juicy, sweet peach notes permeate the nostrils upon each sniff. Unfortunately, I can't detect much else beyond that potent (and admittedly enticing) facet of the aroma.
Interesting stuff. Grainy, crackery wheat malts and sugar sweetness are buried beneath the apricot, providing a relatively neutral baseline flavour. The flavour of the titular ingredient starts off tart and borderline sour, much like the flesh of a slightly underripe apricot, but soon acquires a more juicy-sweet, overripe peach character towards the finish. Lingering sugary sweetness in the aftertaste; this beer is definitely on the saccharine side, but I don't find it overtly cloying. On the thicker side of light-bodied, with moderate carbonation and a mouthfeel that leans toward the crisp side. If you like apricots (or peaches, or nectarines, or any other stone fruit along those lines) then it's safe to assume you will appreciate this beer.
Final Grade: 4.09, an A-. Ontario fruit beer fans should consider Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale to be worth some serious consideration over the next few months, because it's a fabulous summer thirst-quencher that will only be available here for a limited time. Like their other organic fruit beers, this is a solid fruit beer that is worth checking out; I'll probably pick up another bottle or two to stuff into the back of the fridge for later enjoyment this summer.
★ 1,919 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
550 mL bottle from the LCBO; dated Jan 18 2016 and served well-chilled. I never noticed how easy it is to smudge those bottling date stamps off.
Pours a hazy golden-orange colour, generating a full inch of frothy white foam at the surface which proceeds to wily away over the next couple of minutes. A bubbly film remains on the surface afterwards, rimmed by a thin, soapy collar and some scant lace. Visually, it's about what I'd expect from an apricot beer, and the nose only reinforces that precept - tart apricot and juicy, sweet peach notes permeate the nostrils upon each sniff. Unfortunately, I can't detect much else beyond that potent (and admittedly enticing) facet of the aroma.
Interesting stuff. Grainy, crackery wheat malts and sugar sweetness are buried beneath the apricot, providing a relatively neutral baseline flavour. The flavour of the titular ingredient starts off tart and borderline sour, much like the flesh of a slightly underripe apricot, but soon acquires a more juicy-sweet, overripe peach character towards the finish. Lingering sugary sweetness in the aftertaste; this beer is definitely on the saccharine side, but I don't find it overtly cloying. On the thicker side of light-bodied, with moderate carbonation and a mouthfeel that leans toward the crisp side. If you like apricots (or peaches, or nectarines, or any other stone fruit along those lines) then it's safe to assume you will appreciate this beer.
Final Grade: 4.09, an A-. Ontario fruit beer fans should consider Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale to be worth some serious consideration over the next few months, because it's a fabulous summer thirst-quencher that will only be available here for a limited time. Like their other organic fruit beers, this is a solid fruit beer that is worth checking out; I'll probably pick up another bottle or two to stuff into the back of the fridge for later enjoyment this summer.
★ 1,919 characters
4.2/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours slightly hazy and honey colored; the cap retains nicely and drizzles lacing
Smell: Brilliant apricot tones; it has the floral quality of fresh apricots and the pungent sweetness of dried apricots
Taste: While the flavor captures all of the qualities of the aromatics, the sweetness ultimately reduces the drinkability, as the beer finishes quite sweet; still, there is a hint of tartness in the aftertaste
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with low to moderate carbonation
Overall: It is a rare beer that I would rather smell than taste but this is one
★ 577 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours slightly hazy and honey colored; the cap retains nicely and drizzles lacing
Smell: Brilliant apricot tones; it has the floral quality of fresh apricots and the pungent sweetness of dried apricots
Taste: While the flavor captures all of the qualities of the aromatics, the sweetness ultimately reduces the drinkability, as the beer finishes quite sweet; still, there is a hint of tartness in the aftertaste
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with low to moderate carbonation
Overall: It is a rare beer that I would rather smell than taste but this is one
★ 577 characters
3.9/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from bottle into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a lightly hazed yellowish color with a two finger head of fizzy white foam. The head has a good level of retention, slowly fading over time to leave a large sum of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is huge of an apricot jam smell mixed with some other lighter peach smells.
Taste – The taste begins with a sweet apricot jam taste that has a little bit of toast mixed within. The jammy sweetness fades a bit more toward the end only to be replaced by a bit of a more crisp apricot taste, giving a thick and sweet, but refreshing and authentic apricot flavor to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side in terms of thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is rather high. For the sweet flavors of the brew the high carbonation is great and makes for a more effervescent desert style brew.
Overall – This was a rather nice desert style brew. It had an authentic apricot taste and aroma and a very nice easy drinking feel. You will want to be in the mood for a sweeter brew if you take this on, but if so you will likely enjoy this one as it is quite nice.
★ 1,223 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from bottle into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a lightly hazed yellowish color with a two finger head of fizzy white foam. The head has a good level of retention, slowly fading over time to leave a large sum of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is huge of an apricot jam smell mixed with some other lighter peach smells.
Taste – The taste begins with a sweet apricot jam taste that has a little bit of toast mixed within. The jammy sweetness fades a bit more toward the end only to be replaced by a bit of a more crisp apricot taste, giving a thick and sweet, but refreshing and authentic apricot flavor to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the average side in terms of thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is rather high. For the sweet flavors of the brew the high carbonation is great and makes for a more effervescent desert style brew.
Overall – This was a rather nice desert style brew. It had an authentic apricot taste and aroma and a very nice easy drinking feel. You will want to be in the mood for a sweeter brew if you take this on, but if so you will likely enjoy this one as it is quite nice.
★ 1,223 characters
3.75/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Slightly hazy yellow color with white head. Aroma is fruity, slightly fermented, but you can definitely tell it's apricot. It's sweet but not cloying, even a bit tart at first but mostly it's like an apricot soda made from fruit syrup. Body is smooth but has also good carbonation. Overall it's an enjoyable fruit beer.
★ 319 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Slightly hazy yellow color with white head. Aroma is fruity, slightly fermented, but you can definitely tell it's apricot. It's sweet but not cloying, even a bit tart at first but mostly it's like an apricot soda made from fruit syrup. Body is smooth but has also good carbonation. Overall it's an enjoyable fruit beer.
★ 319 characters
3.93/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a pint glass.
The appearance was a hazy to semi-cloudy yellow with a two finger creamy white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute.
The smell had the apricots just as the brewery says so, its there just like white on rice. Strong with light floral qualities underneath.
The flavor, guess what that tasted like, you'll never believe, grapes right, just kidding, its a ton of apricots penetrating my tongue nicely.
The mouthfeel was about light bodied, and somewhat creamy with a good carbonation about it.
Overall, why the hell did I have this recently? Too cold right now for this thing, still good but this one just has the qualities to be drinking it in the Summer. As I say to this beer "cya next Summer, man!"
★ 745 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a pint glass.
The appearance was a hazy to semi-cloudy yellow with a two finger creamy white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute.
The smell had the apricots just as the brewery says so, its there just like white on rice. Strong with light floral qualities underneath.
The flavor, guess what that tasted like, you'll never believe, grapes right, just kidding, its a ton of apricots penetrating my tongue nicely.
The mouthfeel was about light bodied, and somewhat creamy with a good carbonation about it.
Overall, why the hell did I have this recently? Too cold right now for this thing, still good but this one just has the qualities to be drinking it in the Summer. As I say to this beer "cya next Summer, man!"
★ 745 characters
4.33/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look : Hazy yellow body, 70% opaque, wonderful head. Creamy looking and dense.
Smell : Floral. Fresh apricot picked from the tree.
Flavor : Sweet, intense liquid apricot; mild wheat body underneath.
Feel : Creamy, light, well carbonated.
Overall : The ultimate Apricot ale. Fruit is out front, wheat is in the background, this beer is a delight.
★ 352 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look : Hazy yellow body, 70% opaque, wonderful head. Creamy looking and dense.
Smell : Floral. Fresh apricot picked from the tree.
Flavor : Sweet, intense liquid apricot; mild wheat body underneath.
Feel : Creamy, light, well carbonated.
Overall : The ultimate Apricot ale. Fruit is out front, wheat is in the background, this beer is a delight.
★ 352 characters
3.58/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
And, for the beer, I finally picked up:
Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale.
A: 2 fingers of fluffy white head. Clear orange/sienna. Decent lacing.
S: Nice apricot aroma, but more skin and fuzz than flesh, as usual.
T/MF: More of the same as the nose. Seems a touch sweet at first, but after that it's fine.
Not as good as the other fruit ales they make, but still decent.
Poured from an 18.7 oz. bottle, into a Belgian tulip glass.
★ 437 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
And, for the beer, I finally picked up:
Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale.
A: 2 fingers of fluffy white head. Clear orange/sienna. Decent lacing.
S: Nice apricot aroma, but more skin and fuzz than flesh, as usual.
T/MF: More of the same as the nose. Seems a touch sweet at first, but after that it's fine.
Not as good as the other fruit ales they make, but still decent.
Poured from an 18.7 oz. bottle, into a Belgian tulip glass.
★ 437 characters
3/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle. Minimal to no head, clear in appearance. Very disappointing. If Woodchuck made an apricot *cider* (do they?), it would be better than this:
★ 156 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle. Minimal to no head, clear in appearance. Very disappointing. If Woodchuck made an apricot *cider* (do they?), it would be better than this:
★ 156 characters
2.31/5 rDev -40.8%
look: 3 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
Poured from a 550ml bottle (best by date was scratched off) into a pint glass. Pours with half a finger's worth of white foam that maintains. Mild bubbles. Pale yellow in color. Has mild aromas of yeast, smoke, and rotten fruit. Initial taste is of strong apricot flavors. Strong and very unpleasant bready malt flavors enter immediately after along with those rotten fruit flavors. To finish it off, mild smoke flavors kick in the aftertaste. The only thing saving this beer from being any worse in taste is that the sweet apricot flavors persist through the symphony of crap that is this beer. Medium-bodied, mild carbonation, with a slightly dry finish. I can only assume I had a bad batch because the other ratings are nowhere near to what I experienced.
★ 758 characters
look: 3 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
Poured from a 550ml bottle (best by date was scratched off) into a pint glass. Pours with half a finger's worth of white foam that maintains. Mild bubbles. Pale yellow in color. Has mild aromas of yeast, smoke, and rotten fruit. Initial taste is of strong apricot flavors. Strong and very unpleasant bready malt flavors enter immediately after along with those rotten fruit flavors. To finish it off, mild smoke flavors kick in the aftertaste. The only thing saving this beer from being any worse in taste is that the sweet apricot flavors persist through the symphony of crap that is this beer. Medium-bodied, mild carbonation, with a slightly dry finish. I can only assume I had a bad batch because the other ratings are nowhere near to what I experienced.
★ 758 characters
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a Samuel Smith nonic pint glass.
Look: Pretty clear golden body with a light cream colored head that recedes to an even film, very light spots of lacing left over on the glass.
Aroma: Sweet syrupy aroma of apricot and/or apricot juice.
Taste: So much like the aroma, just a solid base of sweetness and apricot. Steely and malty in the middle. A little tangy in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Light, a little carbonated.
Overall: These sam Smith organic fruit beers are hard to review, the are very one-dimensional and very fruity, as advertised. So I rate them high, very good. One bottle is enough, but lovely nonetheless.
★ 633 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a Samuel Smith nonic pint glass.
Look: Pretty clear golden body with a light cream colored head that recedes to an even film, very light spots of lacing left over on the glass.
Aroma: Sweet syrupy aroma of apricot and/or apricot juice.
Taste: So much like the aroma, just a solid base of sweetness and apricot. Steely and malty in the middle. A little tangy in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Light, a little carbonated.
Overall: These sam Smith organic fruit beers are hard to review, the are very one-dimensional and very fruity, as advertised. So I rate them high, very good. One bottle is enough, but lovely nonetheless.
★ 633 characters
3.92/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: The beer is relatively clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of apricots are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of apricots and has slight hints of associated sweetness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I really enjoyed this beer because the smell and taste was like natural (and not artificial) apricots. The beer is very drinkable and isn't that sweet.
Serving type: bottle
★ 702 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: The beer is relatively clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of apricots are present in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of apricots and has slight hints of associated sweetness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I really enjoyed this beer because the smell and taste was like natural (and not artificial) apricots. The beer is very drinkable and isn't that sweet.
Serving type: bottle
★ 702 characters
4.18/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A bright golden colored beer with small carbonation bubbles lifting themselves into a thin froth covering this Samuel Smith offering. Pours with a big head that falls at a decent rate but not to quickly which allowed me to snap a few pictures before just some lacing remained. Light apricot aroma with just hints of other qualities coming through which also transfers to the taste, which is a pleasing light apricot. I don't know if they brew the apricot in or if its a syrup added later (which is quite the trend) but whichever this is done pretty darn well.
★ 561 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A bright golden colored beer with small carbonation bubbles lifting themselves into a thin froth covering this Samuel Smith offering. Pours with a big head that falls at a decent rate but not to quickly which allowed me to snap a few pictures before just some lacing remained. Light apricot aroma with just hints of other qualities coming through which also transfers to the taste, which is a pleasing light apricot. I don't know if they brew the apricot in or if its a syrup added later (which is quite the trend) but whichever this is done pretty darn well.
★ 561 characters
3.06/5 rDev -21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Bright orange sunshine body with a thin white collar. Sweet apricot aroma. Sugary, candied fruits, dried apricot. Some nice things going on. This is a suitable beer for one who gravitates toward the sweeter side. Personally, I find this cloying. A few ounces is more than sufficient. A bottle to be shared several ways.
★ 319 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Bright orange sunshine body with a thin white collar. Sweet apricot aroma. Sugary, candied fruits, dried apricot. Some nice things going on. This is a suitable beer for one who gravitates toward the sweeter side. Personally, I find this cloying. A few ounces is more than sufficient. A bottle to be shared several ways.
★ 319 characters
4/5 rDev +2.6%
Bottle: Poured a bright clear golden color ale with a generous white foamy head with good retention. Aroma of fresh apricot notes is very nice with nice fruity ester notes. Taste is also dominated by fresh apricot notes with some light cereal notes and some fruity ester. Body is about average with good carbonation. Well made with nice fresh apricot notes and with good balance of residual sugar notes.
★ 403 characters
Bottle: Poured a bright clear golden color ale with a generous white foamy head with good retention. Aroma of fresh apricot notes is very nice with nice fruity ester notes. Taste is also dominated by fresh apricot notes with some light cereal notes and some fruity ester. Body is about average with good carbonation. Well made with nice fresh apricot notes and with good balance of residual sugar notes.
★ 403 characters
4/5 rDev +2.6%
Tastes like Apricot soda in the best of ways. Sweet. Obviously. Would be out-freaking-standing with vanilla icecream topped with a fruit compote.
Floral and smooth up front. More effervescent than I normally prefer, but it works here. The apricot is deep and concentrated, more like dried than fresh.
★ 301 characters
Tastes like Apricot soda in the best of ways. Sweet. Obviously. Would be out-freaking-standing with vanilla icecream topped with a fruit compote.
Floral and smooth up front. More effervescent than I normally prefer, but it works here. The apricot is deep and concentrated, more like dried than fresh.
★ 301 characters
4/5 rDev +2.6%
Appearance: gold, slightly hazy; white head is fine and full with average retention
Aroma: big, bright apricot jam leaping from the glass, with some honey and floral notes
Taste & Mouthfeel: juicy and full of apricot flavour that's surprisingly authentic - definitely sweet, but not sugary as it could have been (good thing); soft and silky body may be an attempt to imitate the fruit's skin, and if so, it's a nice touch' a medium dry finish prevents it from being cloying and lends some crispness; apply juice comes to mind too; no sign of hops which is no hindrance
Overall: funny thing is, originally thought it was a peach ale (didn't read the label closely), but taste and aroma kept me thinking of apricot - goes to show how spot on the profile is; a delight for summer, and for cider lovers
★ 801 characters
Appearance: gold, slightly hazy; white head is fine and full with average retention
Aroma: big, bright apricot jam leaping from the glass, with some honey and floral notes
Taste & Mouthfeel: juicy and full of apricot flavour that's surprisingly authentic - definitely sweet, but not sugary as it could have been (good thing); soft and silky body may be an attempt to imitate the fruit's skin, and if so, it's a nice touch' a medium dry finish prevents it from being cloying and lends some crispness; apply juice comes to mind too; no sign of hops which is no hindrance
Overall: funny thing is, originally thought it was a peach ale (didn't read the label closely), but taste and aroma kept me thinking of apricot - goes to show how spot on the profile is; a delight for summer, and for cider lovers
★ 801 characters
3.8/5 rDev -2.6%
Anything with the term "organic" in the name is sure to conjure pure, clean, natural, back-to-the-earth imagery and, indeed, Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale is bright, colourful and (more or less) clear. Any homebrewer could tell you this level of filtered, neutral complexion doesn't typically indicate use of fruit but one can practically smell apricots just from looking at this thing...
Leave it to the British to turn fruit into jam - this bouquet smells more like refined white sugar and apricot preserves, marmalade, or coulis than it does the actual stone fruit. Nevermind the orchard - think the sweets shop. Of course my limbic system goes nuts for this but the more evolved, analytical parts of my brain are urging me to read up more on diabetes.
Most people don't realize that brewing with fruit actually results in very little fruit flavour - at least not the kind of sweet, juicy fruit flavour we desire. Think about it: most fruits are made up majorly of sugar (which ferments out) and the rest is basically just water. Hence why this recipe doesn't include a single actual apricot but rather implements apricot juice and "extract".
As someone who cooks their meals from fresh and avoids processed foods of any kind, I find products made with added flavors - whether artificial or "natural", which is just another type of artificial - to be excessive, shallow, and unnatural. A real life apricot has three components: tart skin, sweet flesh, bitter pit. This beer has just the one: intense, profuse, sugary sweetness.
Like Sam Smith's Chocolate Stout this is an undeniably delicious treat that is sure to please most people immensely while undoubtedly provoking the disapproval of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Fantastic stuff - as dessert. Those unable to control themselves at bake sales should take out a line of credit and clear space in the boot of the car; everyone else buy one and go from there.
★ 1,934 characters
Anything with the term "organic" in the name is sure to conjure pure, clean, natural, back-to-the-earth imagery and, indeed, Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale is bright, colourful and (more or less) clear. Any homebrewer could tell you this level of filtered, neutral complexion doesn't typically indicate use of fruit but one can practically smell apricots just from looking at this thing...
Leave it to the British to turn fruit into jam - this bouquet smells more like refined white sugar and apricot preserves, marmalade, or coulis than it does the actual stone fruit. Nevermind the orchard - think the sweets shop. Of course my limbic system goes nuts for this but the more evolved, analytical parts of my brain are urging me to read up more on diabetes.
Most people don't realize that brewing with fruit actually results in very little fruit flavour - at least not the kind of sweet, juicy fruit flavour we desire. Think about it: most fruits are made up majorly of sugar (which ferments out) and the rest is basically just water. Hence why this recipe doesn't include a single actual apricot but rather implements apricot juice and "extract".
As someone who cooks their meals from fresh and avoids processed foods of any kind, I find products made with added flavors - whether artificial or "natural", which is just another type of artificial - to be excessive, shallow, and unnatural. A real life apricot has three components: tart skin, sweet flesh, bitter pit. This beer has just the one: intense, profuse, sugary sweetness.
Like Sam Smith's Chocolate Stout this is an undeniably delicious treat that is sure to please most people immensely while undoubtedly provoking the disapproval of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Fantastic stuff - as dessert. Those unable to control themselves at bake sales should take out a line of credit and clear space in the boot of the car; everyone else buy one and go from there.
★ 1,934 characters
4.15/5 rDev +6.4%
Pours a translucent gold with minimal lacing. Very fragrent bouquet of apricots. Tastes follows through on the nice and is reminiscent of dried apricots. Smooth mouth feel bordering on creamy with medium carbonation. The finish presents a lingering sweetness.
A nice fruit ale. Very true to it's label all be it a bit sweet. Would definitely have this again!
★ 359 characters
Pours a translucent gold with minimal lacing. Very fragrent bouquet of apricots. Tastes follows through on the nice and is reminiscent of dried apricots. Smooth mouth feel bordering on creamy with medium carbonation. The finish presents a lingering sweetness.
A nice fruit ale. Very true to it's label all be it a bit sweet. Would definitely have this again!
★ 359 characters
3.5/5 rDev -10.3%
Appears a very light colour...with minimal head.
Has a nice fruity bouquet...very enticing.
Very sweet...apricots are super prominent....very refreshing.
Mouth feel is in keeping with the abv.
Overall this is a fantastic beer....it's a little sweet to consume more than two or three...will buy again for sure.
★ 313 characters
Appears a very light colour...with minimal head.
Has a nice fruity bouquet...very enticing.
Very sweet...apricots are super prominent....very refreshing.
Mouth feel is in keeping with the abv.
Overall this is a fantastic beer....it's a little sweet to consume more than two or three...will buy again for sure.
★ 313 characters
Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale from Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)
3.9
out of 5
based on 380 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very good. Aroma’s fresh, ripe apricots, yeast, and a hint of malt. Flavor’s similar to nose, mostly sweet offset with a bit of tart and just right carbonation. Slightly chewy. Excellent finish. Goes great with an aged cheddar.
★ 231 characters