Samuel Smith Organic Cherry 550ML

Samuel Smith Organic Cherry 550ML is a 5.1% ABV British organic fruit beer brewed with real cherry juice in a 550ml bottle. Scoring 87 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 500 ratings, this fruit ale stands apart from mass-produced cherry beers thanks to its use of traditional Welsh slate Yorkshire Square fermentation and certified organic ingredients throughout.

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

Production & Heritage

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, is one of the few remaining British breweries to employ a traditional 19th-century Yorkshire Square fermentation system constructed entirely of Welsh slate. These slate squares help keep natural carbonation entrained in the beer, producing the notably creamy texture the brewery is known for. The Organic Cherry begins its life at Melbourn Bros. Brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire, where it is brewed and fermented using multiple yeast strains before being blended, conditioned, and packaged back at Tadcaster. The recipe calls for organic barley malt, organic wheat malt, organic cherry juice, organic sugar, organic natural cherry aroma, and organic hops — every fermentable and flavoring ingredient carrying organic certification.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe cherry and cherry liqueur lead immediately, followed by a subtle almond undertone and light malt sweetness. A faint hop note lingers beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is dominated by a bold, sweet cherry character reminiscent of cherry candy and dried cherries. At mid-palate, a creamy mouthfeel emerges — a direct signature of the slate fermentation — while gentle citrus and light malt balance the sweetness. Toward the peak, hop bitterness provides just enough structure to keep the fruit from overwhelming.

Finish: Medium in length with a pleasant tartness from the cherry that pulls the sweetness back and leaves the palate refreshed. A soft, creamy texture carries through to the close.

How to Drink Organic Cherry

Serve chilled at around 45–50°F to let the cherry aromatics open up without muting the malt backbone. This fruit beer also works well poured into a tulip glass, which concentrates the nose. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try it in a Cherry Shandy — blended half-and-half with a crisp lemonade for a refreshing summer drink. It also makes an excellent base for a Cherry Beer Float, poured over vanilla ice cream for a playful dessert pairing. A Beer Mimosa using equal parts Organic Cherry and chilled sparkling wine creates a brunch-worthy fruit sparkler.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the British fruit beer tradition
• Pairing with a dessert course at a dinner party
• Gifting to someone who appreciates certified organic beverages
• Offering as a lighter alternative at gatherings where lambics or ciders are popular

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Organic Cherry taste like? Samuel Smith Organic Cherry delivers a bold, sweet cherry flavor with notes of cherry liqueur, almond, and dried fruit, balanced by a creamy mouthfeel and a tart cherry finish.

How does Organic Cherry compare to a traditional lambic? Belgian lambics typically rely on wild, spontaneous fermentation and develop more pronounced sour and funky characteristics, while Samuel Smith Organic Cherry uses controlled multi-strain fermentation and organic cherry juice to produce a sweeter, creamier, and more fruit-forward profile with milder tartness.

Is Organic Cherry good for beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness, gentle 5.1% ABV, and familiar cherry flavor make it an excellent gateway into fruit beers for those who find hoppier or more bitter styles challenging.

Where is Organic Cherry made? The beer is brewed and fermented at Melbourn Bros. Brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire, then blended, conditioned, and packaged at Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England.

What foods pair well with Organic Cherry? Dark chocolate torte pairs naturally with the cherry sweetness. Aged Brie or Camembert complements the creamy mouthfeel. Roasted duck with cherry reduction echoes the fruit character. Almond biscotti mirrors the subtle almond undertone. Vanilla panna cotta provides a neutral canvas that lets the cherry shine.

What sizes does Organic Cherry come in? Samuel Smith Organic Cherry is primarily available in the traditional 550ml bottle, a signature format used across the Samuel Smith range.

Is Organic Cherry worth the price? Positioned in the affordable-premium tier for imported British ales, it delivers certified organic ingredients and a distinctive slate-fermented character that justify a modest premium over conventional fruit beers.

Why Organic Cherry?

The use of Welsh slate Yorkshire Square fermentation is exceedingly rare in modern brewing and directly shapes the creamy texture that distinguishes this beer from other fruit ales. Full organic certification across every ingredient — not just a token organic element — is uncommon at this price point. With an 87 on BeerAdvocate and over 21,000 ratings on Untappd averaging 3.7 out of 5, community consensus confirms consistent quality. For drinkers seeking a genuine British fruit beer with traceable, organic provenance and old-world brewing methods, this expression has few direct rivals.