In the 19th century there was a considerable trade in beer from Britain to India. The land of spice was Britain's major export market. The heavy hop levels of these pale beers shipped on the long voyage to India naturally preserved the beer and complemented the flavourful and exotic cuisine of the East. Samuel Smith's India Ale is characterised by the colour of a golden sunset, a refined maltiness and an emphasis on the aroma and flavour from Britain's best hop gardens.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by StBlues from Lubbock, TX, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (11/6/2008 11:31:24 AM)
"This brew poured out a nice clear orangy amber with a large off white head. The aroma is floral hops with mild toffee malt tones. The taste is plesantly bitter with a noticable grapefruit bitterness balanced with some sweet caramel. Medium mouthfeel. Overall, great for the style."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $2.25 Unit Cost: $3 per Pint
[2] Review by jerrymorrison from lockhart, TX, USA who has tried this beer once. (10/17/2008 11:13:24 AM)
"India ale pours a amber body, mid carbonation with a thin head, that didnt leave any laceing. Slight hints of orange and some floral hops, Tastes of toffe, and malts with a nice bitter finish. Although i prefer american hop bombs, its still pretty good for an english IPA."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
6/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.3)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 550ml @ $3.5 Unit Cost: $3.01 per Pint
[3] Review by RJA from Palm Springs, FL, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/10/2008 6:49:22 PM)
"How can you go wrong when you pick up a Samuel Smith? This is a light transparent orange-copper body. The white frothy head is impressive with it’s staying power. A big caramel-yeasty nose with hints of floral hops. The hop taste is overpowered by the malt. There is a slight alcohol bite and a dry bitterness in the aftertaste. "
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 550ml @ $3.8 Unit Cost: $3.27 per Pint
[4] Review by mmmmBeer from Edmonton, Canada who has tried this beer once. (5/26/2008 2:22:49 PM)
"My first IPA from the country that invented they style. Body appears crystal clear honey brown a thick tan cap floats on top with great retention the lacing was spotty. Aroma was interesting slightly sour with ginger, hops, caramel, and black pepper. Smells tasty but not as aggressive as the IPA’s brewed on the other side of the pond. Hops are at the front of the flavor with a woody/peppery finish. Slight bitterness but nothing over the top. Mouth feel is ok but maybe a touch flat. When this warms rye starts to show up and a melon aftertaste lingers. Tasty but a touch weak for the style, I’d gladly drink it again but probly wouldn’t buy it myself. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
5/10
Flavor:
5/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(2.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 550ml @ $5.93 Unit Cost: $5.1 per Pint
[5] Review by beercronic from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who has tried this beer a couple times. (1/24/2008 2:48:28 AM)
"Poured out a large rocky off white head that didn't last past a ring. The beer has a nice clear orangy amber colour. The aroma is sweet, floral, something orangish with some weak toffee malt. Lingering hops. The taste is nice and bitter with a noticable dose of very bitter unsweetened grapefruit (that's a first for me I think - the unsweetened bit, that is), some sweetness, soft caramelish (more toffeeish?) malts early on...but later on the hops crush everything else. Creamy mouthfeel, light to medium light bodied. Tingly mouth from the sharp hops, leaves a bit of a viscous coating. Finishes with a very plesantly bitter aftertaste. Sam Smith rules Earth."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 550ml @ $5.93 Unit Cost: $5.1 per Pint
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(3.6)
