Samuel Smith
The Old Brewery in Tadcaster began in 1758 and claims to be Yorkshire’s oldest. John Smith bought it in 1847 and then built John Smith’s brewery next door; his nephew Samuel inherited the old one in 1886. It still ferments in Yorkshire squares of Welsh slate, draws water from its original well and delivers locally by horse, and its bottled beers, imported to the United States, influenced early American craft brewers. Owner Humphrey Smith died in June 2026, aged 81. The BJCP lists its Taddy Porter as an English porter, its Oatmeal Stout as an oatmeal stout and its Imperial Stout as an imperial stout.
Styles brewed by Samuel Smith
Imperial Stout
AleImperial stout: a strong, black, roasty stout with dark fruit and a warming finish, born as an export to the Russian court. Strength, glass and classic examples.
English Porter
AleEnglish porter: a dark brown London ale with chocolate, caramel and soft roast, the beer of 18th-century London. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Strong Bitter (ESB)
AleStrong bitter and ESB: the fuller, stronger English bitter, amber to copper, with more malt and hops. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Oatmeal Stout
AleOatmeal stout: a dark, roasty, full-bodied stout brewed with oats for a silky texture, like Samuel Smith's. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Brews in
- Tadcaster, North Yorkshire
- Founded
- 1758
- Owner
- The Smith family
- Best-known beers
- Old Brewery Bitter, Taddy Porter, Oatmeal Stout, Imperial Stout
- Website
- samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk
Sources
Checked .
- Samuel Smith's Brewery, Tadcaster | Yorkshire's oldest brewery — Samuel Smith
- Samuel Smith Old Brewery - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
- Sam Smith's brewery boss Humphrey Smith dies aged 81 - BBC News — BBC
- Samuel Smith’s Brewery owner Humphrey Smith dies aged 81 — The Morning Advertiser
- Beer Judge Certification Program — BJCP