Samuel Smith Organic Apricot 550ML is an English fruit ale brewed with organic apricot juice at 5.1% ABV, presented in a 550ml bottle. Scoring 87 on BeerAdvocate, this certified-organic beer stands apart through a rare dual-brewery production process that pairs historic hand-operated equipment with one of England's oldest independent breweries.Quick Facts: ABV: 5.1% | Origin: Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, England | Style: Organic Fruit Ale | Brewery: Samuel Smith's Old Brewery (est. 1758)Production & HeritageSamuel Smith's Old Brewery, founded in 1758 in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, is one of England's oldest independent breweries and remains family-owned. The Organic Apricot begins its life at Melbourn Bros. Brewery (also known as All Saints Brewery) in Stamford, Lincolnshire — a tiny, time-capsule facility that still relies on manually operated brewing equipment for primary and secondary fermentation with different yeast strains and extended maturation. The beer is then transported to Tadcaster, where it is blended with organic apricot concentrate and extract, conditioned, and packaged. The ingredient bill — organic malted barley, organic malted wheat, organic cane sugar, organic apricot, and organic hops — earns the beer full organic certification.Tasting NotesAroma: Ripe dried apricot leads immediately, followed by undertones of peach, pear, and a light earthy malt base. The bouquet is juicy and aromatic without veering into artificial sweetness.Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward, giving way to a mid-palate that bursts with apricot — think marmalade and stewed stone fruit rather than candy. A medium body carries flavors of peach and orange preserves, while organic wheat adds a gentle roundness. The sweetness is tempered by a natural stone-fruit tartness that keeps the palate engaged.Finish: Medium in length with a crisp, lightly dry close and a subtle tart edge. Lingering apricot and a whisper of malt fade gradually.How to Drink Organic ApricotServe chilled between 45–50°F in a tulip glass or goblet to concentrate the aromatic bouquet. This ale is best enjoyed on its own to appreciate the balance of fruit and malt. It also works in beer-based mixed drinks: a Shandy with sparkling lemonade for a refreshing summer serve; a Beer Mimosa where it replaces sparkling wine alongside fresh orange juice for a brunch twist; or a Stone Fruit Radler paired with peach soda to amplify the apricot character.Best For Introducing craft-beer-curious drinkers to fruit ales Summer garden gatherings and picnics Gifting to fans of organic or artisan beverages Pairing with cheese boards or fruit-forward desserts Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Organic Apricot taste like? It delivers ripe, jammy apricot flavor over a medium malt body, balanced by a subtle stone-fruit tartness and a crisp, lightly dry finish. The sweetness is natural and restrained rather than cloying.How does Organic Apricot compare to Dogfish Head Aprihop? Dogfish Head Aprihop is an American IPA brewed with apricot that foregrounds hop bitterness alongside the fruit, while Samuel Smith's version is a malt-driven English ale where the apricot sweetness and tartness take center stage with minimal hop presence. The two occupy different ends of the apricot-beer spectrum.Is Organic Apricot good for beginners? Its approachable sweetness, moderate 5.1% ABV, and clean fruit character make it an excellent entry point for drinkers new to craft fruit ales.Where is Organic Apricot made? The beer is brewed and fermented at the historic Melbourn Bros. Brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire, then transported to Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, where it is blended with organic apricot juice, conditioned, and bottled.What foods pair well with Organic Apricot? Aged Brie or Camembert, as the fruit cuts through the richness of the cheese. Roasted pork tenderloin with apricot glaze mirrors the ale's stone-fruit character. Almond tarts and frangipane echo the stone-fruit family. Light salads with goat cheese and dried apricots create a direct flavor bridge. Lemon-glazed shortbread offers a complementary citrus contrast.What sizes does Organic Apricot come in? Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot is sold in the traditional 550ml (18.7 oz) bottle, a signature format for the brewery's ales.Is Organic Apricot worth the price? It positions as a mid-range import ale with full organic certification and a unique dual-brewery production pedigree, offering strong value relative to other specialty fruit beers in the category.Why Organic Apricot?Few fruit ales can claim a production process split between two historic English breweries — one operating equipment that predates modern automation — combined with a fully organic ingredient bill. The 87-point BeerAdvocate score reflects a fruit beer that balances sweetness and tartness with genuine malt depth, avoiding the one-dimensional sugariness that plagues many competitors. Samuel Smith's has brewed in Tadcaster for over 265 years, and this expression channels that heritage into a style that rewards both casual sipping and deliberate food pairing. For drinkers seeking an organic fruit ale rooted in English brewing tradition rather than trend, this is the benchmark.
