Samuel Smith Organic Raspberry 550ML

Samuel Smith Organic Raspberry 550ML is a 5.1% ABV organic fruit ale brewed in England using dual fermentation and pure organic raspberry juice. With over 24,000 ratings on Untappd and a 3.8 out of 5 score, this distinctive fruit beer has earned a loyal following among craft beer drinkers worldwide.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.1%  |  Origin: Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, England  |  Style: Organic Fruit Ale  |  Brewery: Samuel Smith / Melbourn Bros' All Saints Brewery

Production & Heritage

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery, founded in 1758 in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, is Yorkshire's oldest brewery and remains fiercely independent. The Organic Raspberry begins life at the tiny All Saints Brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire — a time-capsule facility still using manually operated Victorian-era brewing equipment — where organically grown barley and wheat undergo primary and secondary fermentation with different yeast strains and extended maturation. The resulting ale is then transported to Tadcaster, where it is blended with pure organic raspberry fruit juice and a previously cellared organic brew, producing a layered fruit ale that bridges traditional English brewing with bright, modern fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense, unmistakable raspberry dominates immediately — sweet and tart in equal measure. Beneath the fruit, a subtle alcoholic undertone and gentle malt sweetness provide depth.

Taste: The palate opens with a rush of raspberry puree — bold, juicy, and unapologetically fruit-forward. Mid-palate, sweet malt and a faint pie-crust quality emerge, giving the fruit real structure. A restrained hop bitterness surfaces toward the back, preventing the sweetness from becoming cloying and adding balance.

Finish: Surprisingly dry for such a fruit-driven beer, with a smooth body that tapers to a soft, lingering raspberry note. The dryness encourages another sip and keeps the ale refreshing rather than heavy.

How to Drink Organic Raspberry

Serve chilled in a tulip glass or goblet to concentrate the aromatic raspberry intensity; the 550ml bottle is ideal for sharing between two. A Raspberry Shandy works well — mix half-and-half with a crisp lager for a lighter warm-weather drink. Try it in a Fruit Beer Spritz over ice with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist for an easy aperitif-style serve. It also shines in a Berry Berliner riff, blended with a tart Berliner Weisse and a dash of elderflower syrup for added complexity.

Best For

• Introducing non-beer drinkers to the craft beer world through approachable fruit-forward flavor
• Summer garden gatherings or picnics where a chilled, refreshing ale is the right pace
• Pairing alongside a cheese board or berry-based dessert course
• Gifting to a friend who values organic, traditionally brewed products

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Organic Raspberry taste like? It delivers a bold, fruit-forward raspberry flavor that is simultaneously sweet and tart, supported by gentle malt sweetness and a dry, clean finish.

How does Organic Raspberry compare to Duchesse De Bourgogne? Both are complex, fruit-accented ales popular among craft beer enthusiasts, but Duchesse De Bourgogne is a Flemish red ale with sour cherry and vinegar-like acidity from oak aging, while Samuel Smith's expression is sweeter, more overtly raspberry-driven, and fermented with organic fruit juice rather than barrel-aged with wild yeast.

Is Organic Raspberry good for beginners? Its bright, juicy fruit character and moderate 5.1% ABV make it one of the most accessible craft fruit ales available, ideal for drinkers who find hoppy or bitter beers off-putting.

Where is Organic Raspberry made? Brewing begins at the All Saints Brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire, using manually operated Victorian-era equipment, and is completed at Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire — Yorkshire's oldest brewery, established in 1758.

What foods pair well with Organic Raspberry? Dark chocolate torte mirrors the berry intensity and adds richness. Creamy brie or camembert contrasts the ale's tartness with fatty, earthy flavor. Grilled duck breast echoes the fruit element common in classic berry-and-game pairings. A simple mixed-berry crumble creates a harmonious dessert pairing, while a tangy goat cheese salad with walnuts bridges the ale's sweet and dry qualities.

What sizes does Organic Raspberry come in? The standard format is the traditional 550ml bottle, consistent with Samuel Smith's signature packaging for its organic and specialty ale range.

Is Organic Raspberry worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft import — the 550ml format offers generous volume, the certified-organic ingredients and labor-intensive dual-brewery production process justify its place above mass-market fruit beers, and the quality is competitive with specialty Belgian and American fruit ales.

Why Organic Raspberry?

What separates this ale from the crowded fruit beer category is its genuinely unusual production chain: primary and secondary fermentation with different yeast strains at a Victorian-era micro-brewery, followed by blending with organic raspberry juice and a separately cellared organic brew at a 265-year-old independent Yorkshire brewery. Every ingredient — barley, wheat, hops, raspberry juice, sugar — carries organic certification. The result is a fruit ale with real depth and structure rather than the one-dimensional sweetness common in the style. For drinkers seeking an organic, traditionally made fruit beer with verifiable provenance, few bottles deliver as convincingly.