The Samuel Smith Salute: A call to toast the acclaimed British brewery that has played a pioneering role in the US craft beer revolution. “Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter? The first beer I had that made me realize beer could be great.” “Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout? The reason that I am a professional brewer right now!” “Samuel Smith’s Pale Ale? First had that for Christmas dinner in 1983 – changed my life.” “Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale? Back when I was right out of college, it was the favorite beer of a chef I used to work for - he served it at beer dinners.” We’ve heard that. We’ve also noticed that – coincidentally? – many American breweries in the past 30 years have started with familiar-sounding lineups: Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Porter, Stout, IPA. We are asking you to remember – or imagine – what beer drinking was like in America 34 years ago, before the first Samuel Smith’s shipment arrived. There were about 85 breweries in the US and only one was a craft brewery. Imports were few, and almost all were pale lagers. Today, the American beer scene is the most dynamic on the planet. In April 2012, lots of great beer spots will be saluting Samuel Smith, in the second annual Samuel Smith’s Salute. Please join in: raise your glass, savor the benchmark beers from Samuel Smith’s, and recall the role that this splendid brewery has played in the current great American beer scene. Check for events near you on merchantduvin.com facebook.com/merchantduvin twitter.com/merchantduvin #samsmithsalute Craig Hartinger - 253-656-0321 - craigh@mdvbeer.com 18200 Olympic Ave. S. - Tukwila, WA 98188 Merchant du Vin, Specialty Beer Importers Since 1978