Beer pick of the week: Old Brewery Pale Ale

Old Brewery Pale Ale

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery (Tadcaster)

North Yorks, England

5% ABV

One of England's oldest breweries knows a little something about brewing great ale. Wonderfully balanced and smooth, this is a beer that is meant to be enjoyed by the imperial pint with friends around a pub table. It pours a sparklingly-clear cooper red with a clingy but not sticky head. Floral, grassy aromas from the venerable English Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops are evident, along with earthy, toasted grains from the malts and a bit of overripe apple fruitiness as it warms. The taste emphasizes the toasted caramel malts. A hint of the mineral tang and cidery pear that characterize many British ales comes through mid-palate, but its overall character is dry and crisp, with a slightly citric finish. This is a nuanced brew, with subtle complexities that make it perfectly quaffable and yet intriguing, right down to the last sip. Along with Fuller’s London Pride, it is probably the quintessential example of a British pale ale available in the states.

(photo by Jeff Holland)