British Bitter - Best Bitter

A flavorful, yet refreshing, session beer. Some examples can be more malt balanced, but this should not override the overall bitter impression. Drinkability is a critical component of the style.

Flavor Profile: Medium to moderately high bitterness. Moderately low to moderately high fruity esters. Moderate to low hop flavor, typically with an earthy, resiny, fruity, and/or floral character. Low to medium maltiness with a dry finish. The malt profile is typically

Ingredients: Pale ale, amber, and/or crystal malts. May use a touch of dark malt for color adjustment. May use sugar adjuncts, corn or wheat. English finishing hops are most traditional, but any hops are fair game; if American hops are used, a light touch is required.

BJCP Style Guide

Top 10 Best Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Yorkshire Bitter	23 L	3.93%	33.04	1.042	1.012		All Grain	9812
Whitbread Flowers Original Bitter	22 L	4.52%	32.31	1.044	1.010		All Grain	8086
Hořčík #1	23 L	4.46%	32.03	1.045	1.011		All Grain	7801
2024 best Bitter	22 L	4.46%	28.96	1.045	1.011		All Grain	5902
bitter	20 L	4.5%	35.71	1.046	1.011		All Grain	5096
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter	22.5 L	4.07%	39.01	1.043	1.012		All Grain	5085
queen of the iceni	5.5 gal	3.92%	34.68	1.040	1.010		All Grain	4964
Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker	22 L	4.07%	30.44	1.042	1.011		All Grain	4457
Allt Home Fire	20 L	4.47%	36.77	1.043	1.009		All Grain	3865
Hop Light Pale Ale	44 L	4.35%	34.45	1.041	1.008		BIAB	3639

Newest Best Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Graven bitter	55 L	4.55%	37.96	1.046	1.012		All Grain	21
Best Bitter	5 gal	4.34%	27.74	1.045	1.012		All Grain	20
All the Best Bitter	5.5 gal	4.1%	39.03	1.042	1.010		BIAB	26
PALE ALE	21 L	4.4%	28	1.043	1.010		All Grain	36
PR Best Bitter	5.5 gal	4.38%	33.59	1.044	1.011		BIAB	38
First Brew	10 L	3.57%	0	1.037	1.010		BIAB	19
Awesome Recipe	10 L	5.3%	53.56	1.049	1.009		All Grain	25
Coffee ESB	18 gal	4.14%	27.62	1.045	1.014		All Grain	33
GS Cashemere SMaSH	23 L	4.37%	0	1.045	1.012		All Grain	43
Timothy Taylor Landlord Clone	5.5 gal	3.91%	31.41	1.042	1.012		All Grain	67

Fermentables Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	738	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	81%	3% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	128	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	1% - 29%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	116		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	2% - 20%
United Kingdom - Golden Promise	106	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3°L	37	80%	17% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	91	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	5%	1% - 16%
Torrified Wheat	90		Adjunct	raw	2°L	36	6%	1% - 15%
American - Victory	82	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	7%	2% - 24%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	82	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	2%	0% - 10%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	75	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	9%	1% - 26%
US - Pale 2-Row	74	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	69%	5% - 100%

Hops Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
East Kent Goldings	665	5	32%	1% - 100%
Fuggles	493	4.5	32%	5% - 100%
Challenger	250	8.5	32%	3% - 100%
Target	121	11.5	34%	3% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	115	5.5	29%	5% - 96%
Goldings	88	4.5	28%	6% - 80%
Magnum	80	15	27%	4% - 100%
Cascade	78	7	26%	4% - 78%
Northern Brewer	78	7.8	32%	4% - 67%
Willamette	73	4.5	32%	8% - 100%

Steeping Grains Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	7	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	70%	25% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	6	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	65%	33% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 80L	6	American	Grain	crystal malt	80°L	33	42%	20% - 100%
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	5	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	68%	25% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 90L	4	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	90°L	33	86%	43% - 100%
United Kingdom - Extra Dark Crystal 120L	4	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	78%	50% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	4	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	58%	25% - 100%
German - CaraRed	4	German	Grain	crystal malt	20°L	34	54%	50% - 67%
American - Victory	3	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	64%	25% - 100%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	3	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	12%	3% - 17%

Yeasts Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Laboratory	Type	Alcohol Tolerance	Flocculation	Attenuation	Min. Temp	Max. Temp
Fermentis - Safale - English Ale Yeast S-04	398	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	12.2°C	25°C
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469	92	Wyeast	Ale	0.09	High	69%	17.8°C	22.2°C
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002	89	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Very High	66.5%	18.3°C	20°C
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast	74	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	High	77%	13.9°C	21.1°C
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968	70	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Very High	69%	17.8°C	22.2°C
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	59	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	12.2°C	25°C
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318	59	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	High	73%	17.8°C	23.3°C
Danstar - London ESB Yeast	39	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	Low	70%	18.3°C	22.2°C
Danstar - Windsor Ale Yeast	36	Danstar	Ale	Medium	Medium	72%	17.8°C	21.1°C
Lallemand - LALBREW® LONDON ENGLISH-STYLE ALE YEAST	35	Lallemand	British Ales	High	Low	65%	18.3°C	22.2°C

Other Ingredients Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Type	Use	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Gypsum	347	Water Agt	Mash	26%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	170	Water Agt	Mash	14%	0% - 68%
Epsom Salt	147	Water Agt	Mash	10%	0% - 50%
Whirlfloc	140	Water Agt	Boil	70%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	117	Water Agt	Mash	75%	0% - 100%
Irish Moss	116	Fining	Boil	68%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	68	Water Agt	Mash	18%	0% - 100%
Baking Soda	63	Water Agt	Mash	10%	0% - 42%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	47	Water Agt	Mash	20%	0% - 73%
Table Salt	35	Water Agt	Mash	8%	0% - 50%

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