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	8216
Hořčík #1	23 L	4.46%	32.03	1.045	1.011		All Grain	7407
Whitbread Flowers Original Bitter	22 L	4.52%	32.31	1.044	1.010		All Grain	7118
bitter	20 L	4.5%	35.71	1.046	1.011		All Grain	4634
queen of the iceni	5.5 gal	3.92%	34.68	1.040	1.010		All Grain	4556
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter	22.5 L	4.07%	39.01	1.043	1.012		All Grain	4110
Allt Home Fire	20 L	4.47%	36.77	1.043	1.009		All Grain	3558
Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker	22 L	4.07%	30.44	1.042	1.011		All Grain	3284
Hop Light Pale Ale	44 L	4.35%	34.45	1.041	1.008		BIAB	3025
Prodigal son 2	22 L	4.52%	39.01	1.043	1.009		Partial Mash	2988

Newest Best Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Horses for Courses - Early Summer Ale	21 L	4.57%	31.92	1.046	1.011		All Grain	18
Bitter Days	3 gal	4.12%	37.6	1.041	1.010		BIAB	9
ESB	50 L	4.35%	37.27	1.041	1.008		All Grain	27
Best Bitter - Brew it Brew	22 L	4.75%	34.93	1.048	1.011		All Grain	23
Birthday best	20 L	3.93%	33.69	1.039	1.010		All Grain	16
Fuggle Time	20.8 L	4.12%	55.21	1.041	1.010		All Grain	22
William's Pale Ale	25 L	4.52%	42.89	1.052	1.018		All Grain	24
Celtic Ale	10.5 gal	4.55%	19.85	1.046	1.012		All Grain	21
EPA!	300 L	5.1%	33.65	1.051	1.012		All Grain	23
Marston's Pedigree	19 L	4.73%	33.54	1.043	1.007		All Grain	45

Fermentables Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	693	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	81%	4% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	123	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	1% - 29%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	112		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	2% - 20%
United Kingdom - Golden Promise	99	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3°L	37	79%	18% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	89	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	5%	1% - 16%
Torrified Wheat	85		Adjunct	raw	2°L	36	6%	1% - 15%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	79	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	2%	0% - 10%
American - Victory	77	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	7%	2% - 24%
US - Pale 2-Row	71	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	69%	5% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	68	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	9%	1% - 26%

Hops Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
East Kent Goldings	604	5	32%	1% - 100%
Fuggles	452	4.5	32%	5% - 100%
Challenger	224	8.5	31%	3% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	111	5.5	29%	5% - 96%
Target	110	11.5	34%	3% - 100%
Goldings	81	4.5	30%	9% - 86%
Magnum	76	15	27%	4% - 100%
Northern Brewer	75	7.8	33%	4% - 73%
Cascade	75	7	26%	4% - 78%
Willamette	69	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
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	7	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	63%	33% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	7	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	70%	25% - 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	366	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	54°F	77°F
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002	85	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Very High	66.5%	65°F	68°F
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469	80	Wyeast	Ale	0.09	High	69%	64°F	72°F
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast	74	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	High	77%	57°F	70°F
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968	61	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Very High	69%	64°F	72°F
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318	56	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	High	73%	64°F	74°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	52	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Danstar - London ESB Yeast	36	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	Low	70%	65°F	72°F
Danstar - Windsor Ale Yeast	35	Danstar	Ale	Medium	Medium	72%	64°F	70°F
Imperial Yeast - A09 Pub	33	Imperial Yeast	Ale		Very High	69%	64°F	70°F

Other Ingredients Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Type	Use	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Gypsum	303	Water Agt	Mash	27%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	142	Water Agt	Mash	14%	0% - 68%
Whirlfloc	127	Fining	Boil	70%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	121	Water Agt	Mash	10%	0% - 50%
Irish Moss	109	Fining	Boil	70%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	106	Water Agt	Mash	76%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	55	Water Agt	Mash	19%	0% - 93%
Baking Soda	52	Water Agt	Mash	11%	0% - 42%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	47	Water Agt	Mash	20%	0% - 73%
Table Salt	32	Water Agt	Mash	8%	0% - 50%

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