So where to start with a blog about real ale? I could go with a novelty beer – a lime ale from Scotland? Possibly something unusual – Norway has a small but robust brewing industry? Maybe something plain old odd – chocolate beer infused in whiskey casks anyone? But instead I have decided to keep it classic and local. And you don’t get more classic and local than Sam Smith’s brewery.
Based about 10 miles away from York in Tadcaster, Sam Smith’s is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, not a mean feet for God’s County and its historic brewing industry. With such a heritage and a long enough time to come up with a damn good recipe I was expecting a fair amount from their Organic Best Ale.
The scent might have been a little underwhelming, almost non-existent, but this only makes the robust taste of an above average ale even more pleasant. With its golden brown hues and limited aroma I wasn’t expecting a lot. But the brewers of Tadcaster have produced a well blended hoppy flavour with just enough bite to satisfy the tastebuds without becoming a crass distraction.
Maybe a whole bottle of the stuff is a little bland. Maybe some subtle sweeter notes wouldn’t go amiss. Maybe it is only above average at best. But a decent B+ is never bad when it comes in a pint glass.