Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Bitter

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

The Chandos, Charing Cross, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		28 Feb 2023
Philip Pirrip		20 Jan 2023	Always a variable taste
Philip Pirrip		19 Nov 2019	Viciously agitated upon pulling - took several minutes to settle. Lovely sweet edge on a woody bitterness
Philip Pirrip		29 Aug 2019	It was woody the other day and this one was sweet bitter, really drinkable
Philip Pirrip		24 Aug 2019	A lovely woody pint
Philip Pirrip		20 Jul 2019	A rather woody acid flavour
Philip Pirrip		06 Jul 2019
Philip Pirrip		29 Jun 2019	In lovely nick. Refreshing. Best beer of the evening
Philip Pirrip		05 Jun 2019	When in good condition OBB is a great bitter
Philip Pirrip		22 May 2019	First rate, smooth, great clarity. An English bitter
ChrisE		15 May 2019	I find that this beer can vary but I had very good pints of it in two pubs today.
Philip Pirrip		03 May 2019	4½* Certainly the very best OBB I've had in memory. Beautiful bittersweet balance, head, condition, lacing - the lot. One to drown in
Philip Pirrip		27 Feb 2019	rather bitter sour tasting. The top up from another pump seem to kill the head
Philip Pirrip		28 Dec 2018	OK but not in prime condition
Philip Pirrip		23 Nov 2018
Philip Pirrip		09 Oct 2018	Oddish taste as Sams can have but condition excellent
Philip Pirrip		05 Dec 2017	Flattish and rather woody tasting
Philip Pirrip		30 Oct 2017
Philip Pirrip		23 Oct 2017	Scummy yeasty head and an unusual bitterness
Philip Pirrip		07 Aug 2017	Very creamy with limited bitterness
Philip Pirrip		11 Jul 2017
Philip Pirrip		05 Jul 2017	Everything right including appropriate chilling
Philip Pirrip		14 Jun 2017
Philip Pirrip		08 May 2017	Not up to scratch. Scummy yeasty head and taste unusual
Philip Pirrip		24 Apr 2017	Not quite up to the recently consistently excellent scratch
Philip Pirrip		12 Apr 2017	In superb nick
Philip Pirrip		06 Apr 2017
Philip Pirrip		27 Mar 2017
Philip Pirrip		20 Mar 2017
Philip Pirrip		13 Mar 2017
Philip Pirrip		09 Mar 2017
Philip Pirrip		06 Mar 2017
Philip Pirrip		28 Feb 2017
Philip Pirrip		21 Feb 2017
Philip Pirrip		13 Feb 2017	Most enjoyable
Philip Pirrip		09 Jan 2017	Top notch, bitterness and very smooth. Very drinkable
Philip Pirrip		30 Dec 2016
Philip Pirrip		07 Dec 2016
Philip Pirrip		04 Dec 2016
Philip Pirrip		28 Nov 2016
Philip Pirrip		15 Nov 2016
Philip Pirrip		08 Nov 2016
Philip Pirrip		07 Nov 2016	First rate traditional English bitter, an increasing rarity
Philip Pirrip		17 Oct 2016	Good old traditional English bitter in fine form indeed
Philip Pirrip		26 Sep 2016	A bitter in the style they all used to be
Philip Pirrip		15 Sep 2016
Philip Pirrip		13 Sep 2016
Philip Pirrip		07 Jul 2016	Lovely nick, reasonable measure
Philip Pirrip		03 Jul 2016	Scummy broken yeasty head
Philip Pirrip		07 May 2016	Inevitable top up required
Philip Pirrip		13 Mar 2016	After the statutory top up request I enjoyed this beer which was in prime condition. £2.90pp or per part of per pint
Philip Pirrip		27 Aug 2015	Tarter than the other day, thus probably as Humphrey intended
Philip Pirrip		24 Aug 2015	Smooth and well balanced. I enjoyed this one a lot
Philip Pirrip		27 Jul 2015	Topped up with scorn
Philip Pirrip		26 Jul 2015	Always a sharp odd taste but left a good bitterness mouthfeel
Philip Pirrip		02 Jan 2015	In good nick but wonder what it might taste like if not ripped to death through a restrictor
Edbeck		07 Feb 2014	Perfectly acceptable at less than £3 a pint in Charing Cross
Philip Pirrip		25 Aug 2012	Always a difficult beast to judge. Advised it is sold in 36s with only one on at one time sold through one active pump on each of the two pairs of handpumps. At first tasted tangy and fruity but a strange almost vinegary after-taste. Hmmh

Angel in the Fields, Marylebone, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William	Not Tried	30 Aug 2021
ChrisE		15 May 2019	In very good condition.

Ye Olde Blue Bell, Preston, Lancashire

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		04 Aug 2021
ChrisE		10 Oct 2019	A little colder than I would have liked but still very drinkable, and good value at £2 per pint.

Widow Cullen's Well, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		19 Oct 2020

Captain Kidd, Wapping, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		11 Dec 2019	A distinctive, creamy Bitter.
Stephen Harris		24 Aug 2017	A rather lacklustre beer.
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	01 Jun 2016
Stephen Harris		21 Sep 2014	Distinctive, creamy Yorkshire ale, on good form here, if not really to my taste.
Philip Pirrip		08 Dec 2012	In fine form and no problem with full measure. £2.90 pp

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Nov 2019
ChrisE		01 Oct 2019	A good pint of Sam's.
Stephen Harris		06 Jun 2019	I don't think this creamy Bitter will ever tickle my fancy.
Philip Pirrip		02 Nov 2018	A beer I know that is not to everyone's taste but, after all, what is?? I could find no fault with the condition here
Philip Pirrip		05 Oct 2018	Bordering on excellent but for a vague faint haze
Philip Pirrip		17 Jul 2017
Stephen Harris		08 Apr 2015	This beer is so variable (but that is part of the joy of wooden casks). Tonight’s is creamy, woody and has hints of vanilla – I wish it was always like this.
Stephen Harris		07 May 2014	In superb condition here, but it is a rather mundane pint.
HSB		17 Apr 2014	A lacklustre beer.
Philip Pirrip		09 Jan 2013	Very smooth to the bottom of the glass
Stephen Harris		17 Oct 2012	A rather ordinary, brown, fruity bitter.
Andrew		15 Sep 2010	Good slightly resinous, slightly fruity brown bitter.

John Snow, Soho, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		05 May 2018	Keg. Fizzy. Tasteless.

The Cock, Fitzrovia, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		01 May 2018
Stephen Harris		24 Sep 2014	Easy-drinking bitter.

Fitzroy Tavern, Fitzrovia, Central London

Ye Olde Boot Inn, Chester, Cheshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		06 Feb 2018	In spot on nick but far too malty for my taste

Anchor Tap, Bermondsey, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		16 Nov 2017	I find this beer can vary, not a hint of any woody taste today, a bright clear pint but not exciting.
Stephen Harris		03 Oct 2014	A very fresh-tasting pint.
Edbeck		02 Jan 2014
Ian		08 Oct 2005	Dark copper/brown colour with thick creamyhead, some nice hop aroma, but dull malt, bit dead some bitterness but really dull and disappointing

The Angel, Bermondsey, Central London

Wortley Almshouses, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		30 Oct 2016	A bit too chilled
Philip Pirrip		03 Jun 2013	Rather bland
Flying.geordie		24 Apr 2010
Blair		14 Nov 2009	Yup, fairly ok. Malty and creamy. Not bad.
Stephen		10 Oct 2009	Not great but I will go back so it must be acceptable
Ian		07 Oct 2009	A hell of a lot better than the pint I had in the Cittie of Yorke but still not a whole lot of flavour, some spritzy hop finish, but overall still a sub standard bitter. No off flavours, just not a very good bitter, no matter if it was 77p for a half.

Lyceum Tavern, Covent Garden, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		23 May 2016	A very ordinary sort of Bitter.
Philip Pirrip		05 Jun 2015	I always seem to pick up a slight acetic taste on OBB - must be part of the recipe
HSB		30 Apr 2015	Horrible nasty off taste which I think is diaceytl caused by yeast breakdown.
Brian		02 Nov 2013	OK best bitter. A bit too cold and a tad lively, but perfectly drinkable.
Dubbel	Not Tried	22 Feb 2009

The Windsor Castle, Westminster, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		10 May 2016

Blue Posts, Fitzrovia, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		14 Jan 2016	As good as it is possible for this beer to be.

Cittie of Yorke, Chancery Lane, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		10 Dec 2015	Usual standard
Stephen Harris		20 Apr 2015	Very smooth.
Andrew		07 Nov 2014	Bit cold and a touch bland.
Stephen Harris		25 Jul 2012	A pale, fruity and rather woody bitter, served with a creamy head.
Ian		08 Sep 2009	Not much more than brown water to be honest.
Andrew		26 Apr 2008	Pale brown. Tart fruit flavours. Bitter finish.
Ian		02 Jul 2007	Amber with lasting thin beige head. Caramel aroma, no real yeast or hop on aroma. It’s ok in mouth but a bit thin. Bit bland overall. Drinkable. "It’s better when it comes in the mouth than when you swallow," as my Danish companion said. Not as good as I remember but also not terrible. It’s a bitter, some malty fruit towards the finish. Some drying hop on end.

Princess Louise, Holborn, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		10 Dec 2015	Usual thin fare
Stephen Harris		11 May 2015	None of the creamy texture I have noticed in this beer of late – in fact this pint is quite sharp. Freshly on? From a newly-made barrel? Who knows? I liked it though.
Philip Pirrip		29 Aug 2012	Better than at the Chandos over the weekend. Same price at £2.90 pp
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	25 Jul 2012
Ian		31 Mar 2006	Served with a tight sparkler. Copper colour. Creamy bitter. Decent enough with a toffee hop finish and at £1.72 a pint in central London, you really can't argue

Wellington Inn, York, North Yorkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		14 Sep 2015	I really can't get on with this beer.
HSB		11 Jul 2015	Never a favourite beer of mine

The Jackalope (formerly The Dover Castle), Marylebone, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		08 Jan 2015	As I found in Hull recently, much improved.
Stephen Harris		24 Sep 2014	Basic bitter with a creamy head and a slight woodiness from the barrel.

Prince of Wales Tavern, North Shields, Tyne and Wear

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		06 Jan 2015	In very good condition.
ChrisE		28 Jul 2013	Not my favourite beer but we all agreed that this was in fine fettle, perhaps I could get a taste for OBB after all.
Flying.geordie		14 Aug 2011
Flying.geordie		28 Jul 2011
Flying.geordie		17 Jul 2011
Flying.geordie		22 May 2011
Flying.geordie		24 Apr 2011
Flying.geordie		20 Mar 2011
Flying.geordie		25 Nov 2010
Flying.geordie		24 Nov 2010
Flying.geordie		21 Nov 2010
Flying.geordie		09 Oct 2010
Flying.geordie		11 Sep 2010
Flying.geordie		15 Aug 2010
Flying.geordie		25 Jul 2010
Flying.geordie		22 Jul 2010
Flying.geordie		10 Jun 2010
Flying.geordie		03 Jun 2010
Flying.geordie		30 May 2010
Flying.geordie		07 Feb 2010
Flying.geordie		14 Jan 2010
Flying.geordie		10 Jan 2010
Flying.geordie		07 Dec 2009
Flying.geordie		20 Sep 2009
Flying.geordie		05 Sep 2009
Flying.geordie		29 Aug 2009
Flying.geordie		22 Aug 2009
Flying.geordie		05 Aug 2009
Flying.geordie		30 Jul 2009
Flying.geordie		25 Jul 2009
Flying.geordie		18 Jul 2009

Ye Olde Blue Bell, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		30 Dec 2014	Surprisingly good. In recent years I thought this had really gone down hill. hopefully back on form.

The Angel, Covent Garden, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		16 Jun 2014	Creamy and toffee-flavoured. Best pint of this I’ve tasted in ages.
Stephen Harris		20 Aug 2012	Easy-drinking brown bitter.
Andrew		12 May 2010	Icy cold but even still that good Sam Smiths flavour shone through. If it'd been warmer I'd have given it a higher score. Also, this was only £2 a pint.

The Royal Oak, Harriseahead, Staffordshire

Jolly Sailors, Whitby, North Yorkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stu		22 Jun 2013

Burns Hotel, York, North Yorkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		17 May 2012	Very good, and only £1.82 per pint.

Colpitts Hotel, Durham, Durham

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		01 Sep 2011	In really good condition, and only £1.54 per pint.

The Harewood Arms, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Leigh		19 Jul 2010	Served a little too cold. Deep amber in colour, with a no-nonsense, toffee-led finish. Creamy head.

The Head of Steam, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

The Dyneley Arms, Pool in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Leigh		14 Feb 2009	A little nuttier than the Sovereign, but still quite filling! Nice creaminess, though.

The Champion, Fitzrovia, Central London

Glasshouse Stores, Soho, Central London