The main excitement of the holidays is over with the opening of gifts and the large gathering for Christmas meals. Many of our flights are not until this weekend and now we have to find ourselves in a second day of activities until then. What better way to pass the time with a well established beer from a longstanding brewery.
Samuel Smith Brewery dates back to 1758 and still uses old world techniques such as copper mash tuns, whole hops and not pellets, and the stone Yorkshire square. The stone Yorkshire square is a method of fermenting beers where there is an open air fermentation with the yeast being scrapped off to top of the krausen at the end of fermentation. This combined with the same yeast strain being used since the 1800s give a unique flavor to this beer. This established well made beer will be a great base for the day long conversations you will be having with people you all talked out yesterday.
The initial strong yeast smells coming off the pour combines with the earthiness of Noble hops coming shortly behind. The yeast aromas are the first to float off leaving a stronger detection of hop scents off the glass. The dissipating head leave a thin sheen of bubbles which allow more of the malt smells to come out. This light caramel malt scents become the dominating aroma as the glass is lifted for the first taste. The beer has a lovely amber color that is crystal clear. You could read your christmas cards through the glass. The malt flavor of cooked caramel sweetness continues on the first sip with a light bitterness coming across the back of the tongue. Bitterness is quite pleasant and not at all harsh or lingering. Definitely a malt forward beer with hops providing a fine finish to each sip. This would be a great beer to enjoy with dinner. Nothing spectacular to sip alone but would complement with multiple main dishes and side dishes or any Christmas leftovers from the day before.
Beer Information:
Style: Strong Beer
Packaging: 1 Pint bottle, Best by 31 Jan 2027
Ingredients: Includes malted barley, yeast, and hops. Stats: ABV 6.0%, SRM not listed but estimated at 15, IBU not listed but estimated at 30-33
Luke Pernotto 
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