Samuel Smith Organic Apricot 4Pk

Samuel Smith Organic Apricot 4Pk is a certified organic British fruit ale brewed at 5.1% ABV, sold as a four-pack. This expression earned a Gold Medal and 91 points from Tastings.com (2017), reflecting the brewery's distinctive approach to fruit beer — built on a complex malt base rather than simple sweetness.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.1%  |  Origin: Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England  |  Style: Organic Fruit Ale  |  Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery

Production & Heritage

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, founded in 1758, is the oldest brewery in Yorkshire and one of the few remaining British breweries to employ a traditional 19th-century Yorkshire Square fermentation system constructed entirely of Welsh slate. The house yeast strain has been in continuous use since approximately 1900, making it one of the oldest unchanged fermentation cultures in England. Primary brewing begins at the All Saints Brewery in Stamford using manually operated equipment, where finest organically grown barley malt and wheat malt undergo primary and secondary fermentation with different yeasts and extended maturation before blending with organic apricot juice, organic sugar, and organic natural apricot aroma at Samuel Smith's Tadcaster facility. Brewing water is drawn from the original 85-foot well sunk when the site was first established.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vivid dried apricot, fuzz and all, dominates the nose alongside undertones of peach and pear. Beneath the fruit sits an earthy malt base reminiscent of warm apricot jam straight from the kitchen.

Taste: The entry is expectedly sweet, with a toffee-edged malt backbone carrying notes of nuttiness, bread crust, and light caramel. Mid-palate brightens considerably as fresh apricot emerges alongside marmalade, peach, and mango — all stewed down to preserves levels. The organic apricot juice drives a juicy, rounded mouthfeel without becoming cloying.

Finish: A gentle drying sensation takes hold, balanced by a late touch of tartness that reins in the sweetness. The apricot character lingers at the back of the palate, fading slowly into soft malt warmth.

How to Drink Organic Apricot

Serve chilled at around 45–50°F to let the apricot aromatics open up without overwhelming the malt complexity. It drinks well straight from the bottle but rewards a pour into a tulip glass, where the fluffy white head traps those stone-fruit aromas. A Shandy works beautifully — combine with sparkling lemonade for a low-ABV summer refresher that highlights the natural apricot character. A Fruit Beer Mimosa substitutes this ale for champagne alongside fresh orange juice at brunch, where the apricot and citrus harmonize. Try it in a Berliner Radler by mixing with grapefruit soda, letting the tartness of the citrus play against the ale's sweetness.

Best For

• Summer afternoon sessions where hop-forward beers feel too heavy
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the fruit ale category
• Pairing with a weekend brunch spread
• Gifting to someone who appreciates British brewing heritage and organic products

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samuel Smith Organic Apricot taste like? It leads with rich apricot-jam sweetness supported by a toffee and bread-crust malt backbone, finishing with a pleasant drying sensation and a late hint of tartness that keeps the fruit from becoming cloying.

How does Organic Apricot compare to Samuel Smith's Organic Strawberry? Both share the same complex malt base and Yorkshire Square fermentation, but the Strawberry leans toward a sweeter, more jam-forward profile with aggressive berry character, while the Apricot delivers greater stone-fruit tartness and a drier finish.

Is Organic Apricot good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness, moderate 5.1% ABV, and familiar fruit flavor make it an excellent gateway into fruit ales for drinkers who find hoppy or bitter styles intimidating.

Where is Samuel Smith Organic Apricot made? Initial brewing and fermentation occur at the All Saints Brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire, using manually operated 19th-century equipment; the ale is then transferred to Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England, for blending and packaging.

What foods pair well with Organic Apricot? Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the fruit sweetness. Roasted pork with a fruit glaze mirrors the apricot character. Almond tarts and frangipane pastries echo the stone-fruit notes. Spicy Thai dishes benefit from the ale's sweetness as a counterbalance. A simple charcuterie board with dried apricots and marcona almonds creates a direct flavor bridge.

What sizes does Organic Apricot come in? This listing is a four-pack; Samuel Smith's fruit ales are also commonly available as individual bottles.

Is Organic Apricot worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium fruit ale, and the certified organic ingredients, heritage Yorkshire Square fermentation, and dual-brewery production process deliver complexity well beyond typical fruit beers at this price tier.

Why Organic Apricot?

Few fruit ales carry the pedigree of a brewery founded in 1758 using a yeast strain that dates to 1900 and a Welsh slate fermentation system that most breweries abandoned generations ago. The Gold Medal from Tastings.com and 91-point rating confirm what the glass reveals: this is a fruit beer built on genuine brewing craft, not flavored syrup shortcuts. Certified organic from grain to glass, it uses real apricot juice and organic barley and wheat malts — a transparency of ingredients that is increasingly rare. For drinkers who want a fruit ale with authentic heritage and layered complexity, Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot stands in a class with very few peers.