September 27, 2006

Samuel Smiths India Ale

All right, tonight's beer of choice is Samuel Smith's India Ale by Samuel Smith old Brewery in (Tadcaster) N. Yorks, England. This is another beer I've seen on the shelves for a long time and just never tried. When I was out looking for a new beer, it just didn't catch my eye like others have in the past.

Samuel Smith's India Ale

This ale came in a 1 pint 2.7 fluid oz brown bottle that had the Samuel Smith logo molded into the glass. On a blue and white label it had the name of the beer with a little back-story into the ale. It also is very proud of its English origin as it has product of England on it as well as an English flag.

The copper color is very enticing. There is a slight cloudiness to it that gives it thick appearance. When I poured it, there was almost no head, and it dissipated to a thin frosting on the top that lasted until the beer was finished. Some lacing formed on the side of the glass, but nothing impressive.

Like most India Ales its aroma is earthy. There is a mixture of yeast and sweet malts to it. The taste is a dry combination of spicy hops and malts. There is a bitter finish that isn't bad. The after taste is bitter and lingers. After a while it becomes almost distracting.

Another medium bodied beer that has a creamy texture in the mouth. It's a dry finish that I don't find all that appealing. It also leaves a fine coating in the mouth, which is probably why the aftertaste is distracting.

I don't like IPAs, and this one I didn't care for that much. It's not a bad beer, but not something I think I would find myself buying again just to have one. It rates a 4 out of 10.

Posted by Contagion in Alcohol at September 27, 2006 07:00 PM | TrackBack
Comments

I love that you do this. You know, we should have a big beer tasting this fall... Maybe at my house... :)

Posted by: Richmond at September 27, 2006 08:35 PM

I've never tried their pale ale. Not a big IPA fan...

But I do loves me their stouts.

Posted by: t1g at September 28, 2006 06:22 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLD MAN!

*leaving bottle of Jack*

Posted by: Quality Weenie at September 29, 2006 07:18 AM

I left ya a little present over at my place.

Posted by: Raging Mom at September 29, 2006 08:13 AM

Happy Birthday and many, many, many more, so that one day you'll really be an OLD man. Of course, qw's bottle of Jack can be enjoyed at any age...drink up!

Posted by: h~ at September 29, 2006 10:00 AM

Happy Birthday. Many more. Hope you enjoy what I got you.

Posted by: Tink at September 29, 2006 12:15 PM

Happy Birthday...Hope you get an entire keg of your favorite brew to drink while watching football this weekend!

Posted by: drc at September 29, 2006 01:01 PM

Happy Birthday!

Posted by: Sissy at September 29, 2006 01:48 PM

Happy Birthday! I hope you like what I got you too... : )

Posted by: Richmond at September 29, 2006 01:54 PM

Help me please I want to find my friends

Posted by: Albert at October 14, 2006 05:18 AM

Would like to know the Alcohal Content of
Samuel Smith's India Ale. ? 550mi bottle.

First time I tryed it and found it quite like other amber ales from England. However , it has it's own hoppy flavour, quite delightful.

Could not find the alcohal content on label and wondered how much higher it is than U,S. beers?
I could feel a little buzz after the first bottle.

Posted by: MIKE at January 12, 2007 02:55 PM