Samuel Smith Imperial Stout 550ML

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout 550ML is a 7% ABV English imperial stout from one of Yorkshire's oldest independent breweries, sold in a distinctive 550ml bottle. It holds a 98 rating on RateBeer and a 93 on BeerAdvocate, placing it among the most acclaimed examples of the style brewed in England.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Tadcaster, Yorkshire, England  |  Style: Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery

Production & Heritage

Samuel Smith Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, has been brewing since 1758, making it Yorkshire's oldest brewery. What distinguishes this imperial stout from nearly every other beer on the market is its fermentation in stone Yorkshire squares — open fermentation vessels made from Welsh slate rather than the stainless steel used by most modern breweries. The slate is believed to help retain natural carbonation, contributing to the beer's notably creamy texture. The house yeast strain has been in continuous use since approximately 1900, one of the oldest unchanged brewing yeasts in England. The grain bill includes barley malt and roasted barley, with cane sugar added during production, and the label references a gold medal won in 1896.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich roasted malt leads into dark toffee and molasses, followed by waves of cocoa and bitter chocolate. A subtle sherry-like sweetness and tobacco-like depth round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is smooth and medium-bodied, with dark toffee and brown sugar giving way to roasted coffee bitterness at mid-palate. Bitter chocolate and leather emerge toward the peak, balanced by a restrained sweetness that keeps the 7% alcohol integrated without becoming cloying. There is a slight umami quality that adds savory complexity unusual for the style.

Finish: Moderately long, with lingering cocoa, roasted barley, and a dry, nutty bitterness. A faint boozy warmth surfaces at the very end, complemented by residual dark malt character.

How to Drink Samuel Smith Imperial Stout

Best served at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F (10–13°C) — to allow the full range of chocolate, toffee, and roasted malt flavors to open up. Pouring into a snifter or tulip glass concentrates the aroma. For cocktail use, it works well in a Black Velvet, where its roasted weight stands up to champagne's acidity; in a Stout Flip, where the toffee and chocolate notes pair naturally with egg and sugar; and in a Beer Float with vanilla ice cream, where the bitter chocolate and brown sugar create a rich dessert drink.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates traditional English brewing
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese board or chocolate dessert
• Exploring the imperial stout style through a benchmark English example
• Cold-weather evening drinking when a rich, warming beer is called for

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samuel Smith Imperial Stout taste like? It delivers rich dark toffee, bitter chocolate, and roasted coffee flavors with a medium body and creamy texture. Subtle notes of leather, tobacco, and brown sugar add complexity without overwhelming sweetness.

How does Samuel Smith Imperial Stout compare to Courage Imperial Russian Stout? Both are recognized by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) as benchmark English imperial stouts, but Samuel Smith's version is lower in ABV at 7% and tends toward a smoother, more toffee-driven profile. Courage Imperial Russian Stout is historically bolder and more intensely roasted, though it has been intermittently available over the decades.

Is Samuel Smith Imperial Stout good for sipping neat? Yes — its 7% ABV is approachable for an imperial stout, and the creamy texture from Welsh slate fermentation makes it well-suited to slow, contemplative drinking at cellar temperature.

Where is Samuel Smith Imperial Stout made? It is brewed at Samuel Smith Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England — a brewery founded in 1758 and still independently owned. Tadcaster sits on a limestone aquifer that has supported brewing in the town for centuries.

What foods pair well with Samuel Smith Imperial Stout? Aged cheddar or Stilton blue cheese, where the beer's roasted bitterness cuts through richness; dark chocolate truffles, which echo the cocoa and toffee notes; smoked brisket or barbecue, where the malt sweetness complements char; oysters, a classic pairing with stout that plays off the beer's subtle umami; and bread pudding or sticky toffee pudding, which mirror the brown sugar and molasses character.

What sizes does Samuel Smith Imperial Stout come in? The standard format is a 550ml bottle, which is the traditional imperial pint size used by Samuel Smith across much of its range.

Is Samuel Smith Imperial Stout worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft import that punches well above its price tier in quality and critical acclaim — a 98 on RateBeer and 93 on BeerAdvocate place it alongside far more expensive imperial stouts, making it exceptional value for the style.

Why Samuel Smith Imperial Stout?

Few imperial stouts in production today can claim fermentation in Welsh slate Yorkshire squares using a yeast strain dating to approximately 1900 — this beer can. That heritage is not decorative; it directly shapes the creamy, naturally carbonated texture that sets this stout apart from modern interpretations of the style. With a 98 on RateBeer and a 93 on BeerAdvocate across thousands of reviews, it has earned sustained critical recognition over decades rather than riding a momentary wave of hype. For drinkers seeking an imperial stout rooted in English brewing tradition rather than adjunct-heavy American trends, this remains one of the definitive expressions of the category.