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 GuideTop 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 | 10148 | |
Whitbread Flowers Original Bitter |
22 L | 4.52% | 32.31 | 1.044 | 1.010 | All Grain | 8264 | |
Hořčík #1 |
23 L | 4.46% | 32.03 | 1.045 | 1.011 | All Grain | 7875 | |
2024 best Bitter |
22 L | 4.46% | 28.96 | 1.045 | 1.011 | All Grain | 6211 | |
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter |
22.5 L | 4.07% | 39.01 | 1.043 | 1.012 | All Grain | 5290 | |
bitter |
20 L | 4.5% | 35.71 | 1.046 | 1.011 | All Grain | 5188 | |
queen of the iceni |
5.5 gal | 3.92% | 34.68 | 1.040 | 1.010 | All Grain | 5046 | |
Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker |
22 L | 4.07% | 30.44 | 1.042 | 1.011 | All Grain | 4697 | |
Allt Home Fire |
20 L | 4.47% | 36.77 | 1.043 | 1.009 | All Grain | 3939 | |
Hop Light Pale Ale |
44 L | 4.35% | 34.45 | 1.041 | 1.008 | BIAB | 3859 |
Newest Best Bitter Recipes
Title | Size | ABV | IBU | OG | FG | Color | Method | Views |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Bitter |
5.5 gal | 4.6% | 33.98 | 1.044 | 1.009 | All Grain | 25 | |
ESB |
5.5 gal | 5.9% | 30.83 | 1.069 | 1.024 | All Grain | 42 | |
005_bitter |
310 L | 5.38% | 22.55 | 1.055 | 1.014 | All Grain | 60 | |
Across the Pond ESD |
6 gal | 5.41% | 33.04 | 1.054 | 1.013 | BIAB | 34 | |
Quick and Dirty Bitter |
17 L | 4.59% | 34.98 | 1.045 | 1.010 | All Grain | 49 | |
by hook or by crook |
62.5 L | 4.45% | 25.17 | 1.042 | 1.008 | All Grain | 43 | |
APA |
23 L | 4.4% | 70.59 | 1.041 | 1.008 | All Grain | 41 | |
Engelsk bitter |
25 L | 4.03% | 35.57 | 1.040 | 1.009 | All Grain | 40 | |
Summer nights |
24 L | 4.55% | 33.58 | 1.046 | 1.012 | All Grain | 71 | |
Bevingdean Best |
180 L | 4.3% | 32.29 | 1.043 | 1.010 | All Grain | 44 |
Fermentables Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)
Name | Recipes | Country | Category | Type | Color | PPG | Avg. Usage | Usage Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale | 747 | United Kingdom | Grain | base malt |
3.75°L
|
38 | 81% | 3% - 100% |
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L | 129 | 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 | 108 | United Kingdom | Grain | base malt |
3°L
|
37 | 80% | 17% - 100% |
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L | 93 | American | Grain | crystal malt |
120°L
|
33 | 5% | 1% - 16% |
Torrified Wheat | 91 | Adjunct | raw |
2°L
|
36 | 6% | 1% - 15% | |
American - Victory | 83 | American | Grain | roasted malt |
28°L
|
34 | 7% | 2% - 24% |
United Kingdom - Chocolate | 83 | United Kingdom | Grain | roasted malt |
425°L
|
34 | 2% | 0% - 10% |
Crisp Malting - Finest Maris Otter | 77 | GB | Grain | base malt |
2.4°L
|
36.8 | 80% | 9% - 100% |
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L | 75 | 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 | 682 | 5 | 32% | 1% - 100% |
Fuggles | 499 | 4.5 | 32% | 5% - 100% |
Challenger | 250 | 8.5 | 32% | 3% - 100% |
Target | 121 | 11.5 | 34% | 3% - 100% |
Styrian Goldings | 116 | 5.5 | 29% | 5% - 96% |
Goldings | 91 | 4.5 | 28% | 6% - 80% |
Magnum | 83 | 15 | 27% | 4% - 100% |
Cascade | 82 | 7 | 26% | 4% - 78% |
Northern Brewer | 80 | 7.8 | 32% | 4% - 67% |
Willamette | 75 | 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 | 404 | Fermentis / Safale | Ale | .0975 | High | 75% | 54°F | 77°F |
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469 | 93 | Wyeast | Ale | 0.09 | High | 69% | 64°F | 72°F |
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002 | 90 | White Labs | Ale | Medium | Very High | 66.5% | 65°F | 68°F |
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast | 74 | Danstar | Ale | Med-High | High | 77% | 57°F | 70°F |
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968 | 72 | Wyeast | Ale | 0.1 | Very High | 69% | 64°F | 72°F |
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05 | 61 | Fermentis / Safale | Ales | Low | Medium | 81% | 54°F | 77°F |
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318 | 60 | Wyeast | Ale | 0.1 | High | 73% | 64°F | 74°F |
Danstar - London ESB Yeast | 41 | Danstar | Ale | Med-High | Low | 70% | 65°F | 72°F |
Lallemand - LALBREW® LONDON ENGLISH-STYLE ALE YEAST | 37 | Lallemand | British Ales | High | Low | 65% | 65°F | 72°F |
Danstar - Windsor Ale Yeast | 35 | Danstar | Ale | Medium | Medium | 72% | 64°F | 70°F |
Other Ingredients Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)
Name | Recipes | Type | Use | Avg. Usage | Usage Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gypsum | 355 | Water Agt | Mash | 27% | 0% - 100% |
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) | 176 | Water Agt | Mash | 14% | 0% - 68% |
Epsom Salt | 153 | Water Agt | Mash | 10% | 0% - 50% |
Whirlfloc | 144 | Water Agt | Boil | 69% | 0% - 100% |
Lactic acid | 118 | Water Agt | Mash | 75% | 0% - 100% |
Irish Moss | 117 | Fining | Boil | 68% | 0% - 100% |
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) | 72 | Water Agt | Mash | 19% | 0% - 100% |
Baking Soda | 69 | Water Agt | Boil | 10% | 0% - 42% |
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) | 47 | Water Agt | Mash | 20% | 0% - 73% |
Table Salt | 35 | Water Agt | Mash | 8% | 0% - 50% |