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
ButtCum Breast Biter	60 L	4.58%	29.46	1.046	1.011		All Grain	14451
Whitbread Flowers Original Bitter	22 L	4.52%	32.31	1.044	1.010		All Grain	10231
Hořčík #1	23 L	4.46%	32.03	1.045	1.011		All Grain	8467
Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker	22 L	4.07%	30.44	1.042	1.011		All Grain	7904
bitter	20 L	4.5%	35.71	1.046	1.011		All Grain	5835
queen of the iceni	5.5 gal	3.92%	34.68	1.040	1.010		All Grain	5610
Hop Light Pale Ale	44 L	4.35%	34.45	1.041	1.008		BIAB	5123
Five Points Best Bitter	23 L	4.29%	32.76	1.047	1.014		All Grain	4983
Allt Home Fire	20 L	4.47%	36.77	1.043	1.009		All Grain	4492
Prodigal son 2	22 L	4.52%	39.01	1.043	1.009		Partial Mash	4189

Newest Best Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Prince Rupert's Ale	5.5 L	4.39%	27.32	1.046	1.012		BIAB	9
Minor Chords	5.5 L	4.38%	25.72	1.046	1.012		BIAB	11
Best bitter	10 L	4.57%	0	1.046	1.011		All Grain	9
Iceni Bitter	20 L	4.27%	33.29	1.041	1.008		All Grain	39
Old Hooky	5.5 gal	5.39%	55.25	1.051	1.010		extract	32
Best bitter	270 L	4.21%	24.11	1.043	1.011		All Grain	34
Simple Bitter (2.5 gallon) - No Carapils	2.75 gal	4.46%	24.82	1.045	1.011		Partial Mash	73
More beer Best Bitter	5.75 gal	4.1%	22.8	1.043	1.012		BIAB	29
Bitter Lite	5.25 gal	4.54%	24.56	1.034	0.999		All Grain	84
Awesome Recipe	20.8 L	4.54%	0	1.046	1.012		All Grain	34

Fermentables Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	818	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	81%	3% - 100%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	136		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	0% - 20%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	133	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	1% - 29%
United Kingdom - Golden Promise	126	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3°L	37	80%	17% - 100%
Torrified Wheat	102		Adjunct	raw	2°L	36	6%	1% - 15%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	96	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	5%	1% - 16%
Crisp Malting - Finest Maris Otter	92	GB	Grain	base malt	2.4°L	36.8	81%	9% - 100%
American - Victory	90	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	7%	2% - 24%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	88	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	2%	0% - 10%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	83	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	8%	1% - 26%

Hops Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
East Kent Goldings	819	5	32%	1% - 100%
Fuggles	582	4.5	32%	5% - 100%
Challenger	289	8.5	31%	3% - 100%
Target	143	11.5	34%	3% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	133	5.5	29%	5% - 96%
Goldings	97	4.5	28%	6% - 80%
Cascade	94	7	27%	4% - 78%
Magnum	93	15	28%	4% - 100%
Northern Brewer	90	7.8	32%	4% - 75%
Willamette	81	4.5	31%	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	8	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	67%	25% - 100%
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	6	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	65%	25% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 80L	6	American	Grain	crystal malt	80°L	33	42%	20% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	6	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	58%	25% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	6	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	65%	33% - 100%
United Kingdom - Extra Dark Crystal 120L	4	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	78%	50% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 90L	4	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	90°L	33	86%	43% - 100%
German - CaraRed	4	German	Grain	crystal malt	20°L	34	54%	50% - 67%
Belgian - Biscuit	4	Belgian	Grain	roasted malt	23°L	35	34%	21% - 50%
American - Caramel / Crystal 20L	3	American	Grain	crystal malt	20°L	35	75%	50% - 100%

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	485	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	54°F	77°F
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469	104	Wyeast	Ale	0.09	High	69%	64°F	72°F
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002	97	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Very High	66.5%	65°F	68°F
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968	84	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Very High	69%	64°F	72°F
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast	79	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	High	77%	57°F	70°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	71	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318	64	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	High	73%	64°F	74°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® NOTTINGHAM HIGH PERFORMANCE ALE YEAST	45	Lallemand	Ales	Medium	High	80%	50°F	72°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® LONDON ENGLISH-STYLE ALE YEAST	43	Lallemand	British Ales	High	Low	65%	65°F	72°F
Danstar - London ESB Yeast	42	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	Low	70%	65°F	72°F

Other Ingredients Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Type	Use	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Gypsum	449	Water Agt	Mash	25%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	236	Water Agt	Mash	13%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	206	Water Agt	Mash	10%	0% - 50%
Whirlfloc	164	Water Agt	Mash	67%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	160	Water Agt	Mash	72%	0% - 100%
Irish Moss	129	Fining	Boil	64%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	100	Water Agt	Mash	18%	0% - 100%
Baking Soda	89	Water Agt	Mash	9%	0% - 42%
Yeast Nutrient	47	Other	Boil	29%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	47	Water Agt	Mash	20%	0% - 73%

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