Sam Smith’s in Brown Bottles - Hurray!
A couple of months ago, I stumbled across a 4-pack of Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale in brown bottles at the Cellar’s in Roseville. I was pleased to be able to sample this beer without the deleterious effects of light for which the previous clear bottles allowed.
Even better, last night I was able to sample the Russian Imperial Stout (RIS) light-free in brown bottles. I was surprised, compared to the homebrewed RIS’s I’m typically sampling, how light bodied and well-carbonated the Sam Smith’s seemed. It still had the hallmark complexity: fruitiness and roasted malt mixing to produce a “burnt-currant” impression. It also had all the things people love about stouts: burnt, caramlized, coffee, espresso notes. In addition, there was also a pleasantly warming alcohol note.
Ms. BeerGeek had made an ice cream cake, so I was sampling my RIS with it. The two made a nice pair. The sweetness matching each other, but the RIS cleansing the palate with its carbonation and slightly bitter finish.
I’m thrilled to have Samual Smith’s saved from the light and look forward to trying some of their other fine English varieties.
