Samuel Smith’s Alcohol Free Brown Ale
By Samuel Smith’s · UK
Samuel Smith’s only alcohol-free beer, a brown ale under 0.5%: “dark brown in colour with mahogany highlights”, malt forward, dry and satisfying, the Tadcaster brewery says. In 550ml bottles, and registered with The Vegan Society.
At under 0.5% ABV, this isn’t alcohol-free under UK guidance, which keeps the term for 0.05% or less. We list it with alcohol-free beers, as UK shops do. How UK labels work
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What is Sam’s Brown Ale?
Samuel Smith’s is a family brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, on a site it says has brewed since 1758; it still ferments its ales in stone Yorkshire squares and makes its own oak casks. Its organic fruit beers are full strength (the raspberry and cherry are 5%), and Sam’s Brown Ale is its only alcohol-free beer.
The brewer describes it as “dark brown in colour with mahogany highlights and a lingering tight ecru head”: “The nose is malt forward and the beer is dry and satisfying.” It suggests it with spicy food, served at about 13°C, and says the label is based on a Samuel Smith’s advertising poster from the 1950s. It doesn’t say how the alcohol is kept low.
The strength is a little uncertain: the brewer’s product page says under 0.5% ABV, its shop page under 0.4%, and the shops 0.5%. Samuel Smith’s gives 21 kcal and 2.4g of sugars per 100g, about 115 kcal a bottle (our sum). We haven’t scored it yet.
Flavour Profile
A guide based on the style and Samuel Smith’s description (malt forward, dry, dark brown), to help you compare at a glance — not a definitive tasting.
Key facts
| Official name | Alcohol Free Sam’s Brown Ale |
|---|---|
| Brewery | Samuel Smith’s, UK |
| Style | Brown ale |
| ABV | Under 0.5% ABV on the product page, and under 0.4% on the shop page, Samuel Smith’s says; the shops list it at 0.5% |
| Pack | 550ml bottles, Samuel Smith’s says (Wise Bartender says 500ml): singles and cases at The Alcohol Free Co, cases at Dry Drinker, singles at Wise Bartender |
| Calories | 21 kcal per 100g, Samuel Smith’s says, with 2.4g of sugars; about 115 per 550ml bottle (our sum, treating 100g as 100ml) |
| Ingredients | Water, malted barley, hops and yeast, Samuel Smith’s says |
| Allergens | Barley (a cereal containing gluten) |
| Vegan | Yes: registered with The Vegan Society, Samuel Smith’s says |
| Gluten | It isn’t gluten-free: it’s brewed with barley |
| How it’s made | Samuel Smith’s doesn’t say |
| Brewed | In Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, at the Old Brewery, as far as Samuel Smith’s says |
| UK availability | In stock at The Alcohol Free Co, Dry Drinker and Wise Bartender |
Sources: Samuel Smith’s own website, The Alcohol Free Co, Dry Drinker and Wise Bartender, checked October 2026. The label on the can or bottle is always the final word.
How Sam’s Brown Ale sits in the Samuel Smith’s range
| Beer | Style | ABV | Per 100ml | Unhopped score | UK status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam’s Brown Ale (this beer) | Brown ale | <0.5% | 21 kcal | Not yet rated | In stock at The Alcohol Free Co, Dry Drinker and Wise Bartender |
The Samuel Smith’s beers in our directory, checked October 2026. Scores are Unhopped ratings out of 10. Calories are from Samuel Smith’s own website, which gives them per 100g.
About Samuel Smith’s
Samuel Smith’s is a family-owned brewery, according to Wikipedia, in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, on a site it says has brewed since 1758. Its one alcohol-free beer is Sam’s Brown Ale, in 550ml bottles, which is registered with The Vegan Society.
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