Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout Review: A Sweet Surprise from Yorkshire’s Oldest Brewery

Hey beer friends, if you’re like me a die-hard stout enthusiast who lights up at the sight of anything dark, roasty, and chocolatey, you know the thrill of discovering a new one. I was out exploring my local spots here in Quakertown when I spotted this gem on the shelf: Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout. I’d never seen it before (or at least not in cans like this), and as a huge stout fan, I got excited. I grabbed a 4-pack and couldn’t wait to crack one open on a cold afternoon. Here’s my full review, complete with the backstory on this historic brewery.

Score: 6.8

Location: Yorkshire, England

ABV: 5.0%

The Brewery Story: Yorkshire Tradition Since 1758

Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery isn’t just any brewery, it’s Yorkshire’s oldest, founded way back in 1758 in the small town of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. The place has been brewing with water pulled straight from the original well (sunk 85 feet underground into limestone) for over 265 years. That’s not marketing fluff; they still use it today.

The story gets even more interesting with the family drama. There was a split in the Smith family (one branch built the bigger John Smith’s brewery nearby), but Samuel Smith’s stuck with the “Old Brewery” and has remained fiercely independent and family-owned ever since. No big corporate takeovers here. They’re known for their old school ways: fermenting in traditional stone Yorkshire Squares (slate, not modern aluminum), hand weighing hops, and even delivering locally by horse and dray in some cases. They were early pioneers in certified organic beers, shipping them to the U.S. back in the mid-1990s, and released this Organic Chocolate Stout around 2012.

The ethos? Keep it traditional, keep it real, and let the beer speak for itself. No flashy ads, no gimmicks just quality ingredients and heritage methods. That “fiercely independent, family owned and operated since 1758” line on the can? They mean it.

Appearance, Aroma & Pour

As you can see from the photo I snapped (that snowy Tadcaster vibe in the background felt fitting even here in Pennsylvania), the 14.9 oz cans and 4-pack box look premium deep brown with elegant cocoa pod illustrations and that classic Samuel Smith crest. Poured into my favorite pint glass, it came out jet black with a strong, creamy tan head. I mean, strong thick and inviting, like a proper stout should be. Unfortunately, the head faded pretty quickly, which was a slight letdown, but it still looked beautiful while it lasted. Nice lacing on the glass, though.

Taste & Mouthfeel

First sip? Luxurious chocolate, no doubt. The brewery describes it as “luxurious chocolate married perfectly with smooth, creamy stout,” and they nailed the flavor profile. Gently roasted organic chocolate malt and real organic cocoa (plus a bit of organic cane sugar) give it rich, deep cocoa notes like a fancy hot chocolate turned into beer. It’s smooth, full bodied, and drinks easy at 5.0% ABV.

Here’s where it got personal for me: it was a little too sweet for my palate. I was craving that classic stout bitterness to balance things out the roasty edge, the hop bite that makes a stout feel bold and complex. This one leans more dessert-like, almost like chocolate milk with a malty backbone. The chocolate flavor itself is genuinely very good (I’d happily sip it on its own), but the sweetness overpowered the bitterness I was expecting. Mouthfeel is creamy and satisfying, but that lingering sweetness made me want just a touch more roast or dryness to cut through.

Don’t get me wrong it’s still a solid beer. I finished the whole 4-pack over a couple of sessions and enjoyed it. It’s just not quite hitting my ideal stout sweet spot.

Final Verdict: 6.8/10

Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout is a well crafted, traditional British take on a chocolate stout that delivers on creamy luxury and authentic cocoa depth. The history and heritage make it feel special, and if you love sweeter, dessert-style stouts (think chocolate milkshakes in beer form), this could easily be an 8.5+ for you. For me a guy who leans toward the drier, more bitter imperial or Irish stouts it lands at a respectable 6.8/10. Worth trying if you spot it, especially if you’re new to Samuel Smith’s like I was. It’s a cool piece of brewing history in a can.

Would I buy it again? Probably on a colder day when I’m craving something indulgent and low key. Have you tried this one? Drop your thoughts below. I’d love to hear if the sweetness hits different for you!

Cheers, Rich (Nomad’s Gambit) Stout chaser, history nerd, and always hunting the next pour.