Samuel Smith Taddy Porter 550ML

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter 550ML is a traditional English porter brewed at 5% ABV in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, by one of England's oldest breweries. Scoring 95 on RateBeer and 93 on BeerAdvocate, Taddy Porter has earned recognition as one of the benchmark examples of the porter style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England  |  Style: English Porter  |  Brewery: Samuel Smith Old Brewery (est. 1758)

Production & Heritage

Samuel Smith Old Brewery was founded in 1758 in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, making it one of the oldest breweries in England. Taddy Porter—named after the brewery's hometown—is fermented in stone Yorkshire squares constructed of Welsh slate, a 19th-century fermentation system that only a handful of British breweries still employ. The brewing water is drawn from the original well sunk 85 feet deep in 1758, and the house yeast strain has been in continuous use since approximately 1900. The ingredient list is straightforward: malted barley, hops, cane sugar, water, and that historic yeast, with no adjuncts or artificial additives.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted malt and bittersweet cocoa lead, followed by subtle notes of molasses and raisin. A faint earthy hop character and light smokiness sit beneath the malt-forward nose.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malty, with sweet toasted nut and toffee arriving immediately. Mid-palate, an intense dry tang from roasted barley takes hold alongside pumpernickel bread and butter crunch flavors. The peak brings out dates, pecans, and a distinct molasses sweetness balanced by a subtle rye biscuit dryness.

Finish: Medium in length with a lingering bittersweet cocoa and roasted barley character. The texture remains velvety throughout, trailing off with a gentle smoky warmth and earthy hop bitterness.

How to Drink Taddy Porter

Taddy Porter is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F (10–13°C), in a tulip glass or English pint glass to concentrate the malt aromas. Pouring too cold mutes the cocoa and molasses complexity that defines this beer. For mixed drinks, Taddy Porter works well in a Black Velvet (layered with dry sparkling wine) because its roasted depth balances effervescence; in a Porter Flip (shaken with a whole egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg) where its toffee and nut notes complement the richness; and in a Shandy with traditional English lemonade, which lightens the body while preserving the malt character.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates Old World brewing traditions
• Pairing with a holiday roast dinner or Thanksgiving table
• Introducing someone to the English porter style with an authentic benchmark
• Cool-weather evening sipping by a fireplace

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taddy Porter taste like? Taddy Porter is defined by smooth roasted barley, bittersweet cocoa, toffee, and molasses, with undertones of toasted nut, pumpernickel bread, and dates. It drinks dry and tangy rather than heavy, with a velvety texture and a faintly smoky finish.

How does Taddy Porter compare to Fuller's London Porter? Both are iconic English porters, but Taddy Porter is fermented in Welsh slate Yorkshire squares using a yeast strain dating to around 1900, giving it a distinctly dry, mineral-influenced character. Fuller's London Porter, brewed in London at 5.4% ABV, tends toward a slightly sweeter, more rounded profile with a different house yeast character.

Is Taddy Porter good for sipping on its own? Taddy Porter is an excellent standalone sipper, especially when served at cellar temperature where the roasted malt complexity and cocoa depth fully emerge. Its 5% ABV makes it sessionable enough for a relaxed evening without overwhelming the palate.

Where is Taddy Porter made? Taddy Porter is brewed at Samuel Smith Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England. The brewery has operated from the same site since 1758 and draws its water from the original well sunk that year.

What foods pair well with Taddy Porter? Roasted meats, especially beef or lamb, complement the porter's smoky roasted barley character. Aged cheddar or Stilton cheese matches its tangy dryness. Dark chocolate desserts mirror its cocoa notes. Smoked sausages or charcuterie echo the faint smokiness. Pecan pie or sticky toffee pudding aligns with the toffee, nut, and molasses flavors.

What sizes does Taddy Porter come in? Samuel Smith Taddy Porter is commonly available in the traditional 550ml (18.7 oz) bottle, which is the brewery's standard format, as well as in 4-packs of 12 oz (355ml) bottles.

Is Taddy Porter worth the price? Taddy Porter positions as a premium import porter, typically priced modestly above domestic craft porters. Given its 93 BeerAdvocate score, 95 RateBeer score, and the heritage of an 18th-century brewing process that includes Welsh slate fermentation and a century-old yeast strain, it represents strong value within the imported English ale category.

Why Taddy Porter?

What separates Taddy Porter from the broader porter landscape is its production lineage. The Welsh slate Yorkshire square fermentation system is nearly extinct in British brewing, and Samuel Smith is one of the last holdouts using this method at scale. Combined with water from a well that predates the American Revolution and a yeast culture maintained for over a century, the beer carries a direct connection to pre-industrial English brewing that cannot be replicated. Its 93 BeerAdvocate and 95 RateBeer scores confirm what the history suggests: this is a definitive expression of the English porter style, rooted in verifiable heritage rather than marketing narrative.