British Bitter - Ordinary Bitter

Low gravity, low alcohol levels, and low carbonation make this an easy-drinking session beer. The malt profile can vary in flavor and intensity, but should never 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 Ordinary Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
2022 ordinary bitter	22 L	3.49%	16.11	1.038	1.011		All Grain	5313
John Smith	5.5 gal	3.21%	35.81	1.034	1.010		Partial Mash	4019
Goose Island Honkers Ale Clone	11 gal	4.3%	29.9	1.047	1.014		All Grain	3358
Bitter	5.5 gal	3.76%	28.8	1.038	1.010		BIAB	3047
Black Sheep Ale clone	23 L	3.93%	26.25	1.039	1.010		All Grain	2281
UK Ordinary Bitter	20 L	3.64%	29.34	1.037	1.010		All Grain	2234
Luddite Ales 2017	500 L	3.77%	35.59	1.037	1.008		All Grain	1982
House Beer	1 gal	4.47%	16.72	1.046	1.012		All Grain	1967
Roger's	23 L	3.94%	20.87	1.039	1.008		BIAB	1957
Manchester Bitter	20 L	4.03%	14.74	1.040	1.009		All Grain	1898

Newest Ordinary Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Honorable Sin Ordinary Bitter	5.5 gal	3.29%	34.86	1.036	1.011		All Grain	17
Gunsmith	11 gal	3.78%	26.77	1.041	1.012		All Grain	13
Morebeer Extra Special Bitter - kit438	5.25 gal	5.79%	42.64	1.057	1.013		BIAB	21
Morebeer Extra Special Bitter - kit438	5.25 gal	5.07%	42.64	1.050	1.012		BIAB	41
This one time in England	5.5 gal	3.58%	22.97	1.039	1.011		All Grain	15
CML Landlord	23 L	3.72%	47.13	1.037	1.009		BIAB	20
Strong's Landlord	5.5 gal	3.25%	16.8	1.038	1.013		BIAB	11
2023 Brew Day Bitter	11 gal	3.83%	19.14	1.039	1.010		All Grain	94
Alpha	10 L	3.64%	25.64	1.036	1.008		All Grain	48
Red Veloria	26 L	5.17%	36.35	1.049	1.009		All Grain	44

Fermentables Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	511	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	83%	5% - 100%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	75		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	0% - 20%
US - Pale 2-Row	70	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	73%	9% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	69	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	2% - 25%
United Kingdom - Golden Promise	66	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3°L	37	75%	4% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	65	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	6%	2% - 15%
United Kingdom - Pale 2-Row	57	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	2.5°L	38	80%	8% - 100%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	56	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	2%	0% - 22%
Torrified Wheat	53		Adjunct	raw	2°L	36	7%	1% - 19%
American - Victory	53	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	7%	0% - 27%

Hops Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
East Kent Goldings	446	5	34%	6% - 100%
Fuggles	275	4.5	34%	4% - 100%
Challenger	155	8.5	35%	1% - 100%
Target	70	11.5	34%	8% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	64	5.5	30%	11% - 80%
Magnum	58	15	28%	2% - 100%
Cascade	57	7	31%	8% - 100%
Kent Goldings	56	5	38%	11% - 100%
Northern Brewer	56	7.8	34%	8% - 100%
Goldings	53	4.5	35%	1% - 100%

Steeping Grains Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Caramel / Crystal 60L	9		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	71%	29% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	7	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	65%	33% - 100%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	6	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	30%	6% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	4	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	45%	14% - 68%
American - Carapils (Dextrine Malt)	4	American	Grain	crystal malt	1.8°L	33	40%	17% - 50%
American - Victory	4	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	30%	13% - 47%
United Kingdom - Cara Malt	4	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	17.5°L	35	100%	100% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 80L	3	American	Grain	crystal malt	80°L	33	45%	8% - 90%
American - Caramel / Crystal 20L	3	American	Grain	crystal malt	20°L	35	48%	25% - 60%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	3	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	97%	91% - 100%

Yeasts Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Laboratory	Type	Alcohol Tolerance	Flocculation	Attenuation	Min. Temp	Max. Temp
Fermentis - Safale - English Ale Yeast S-04	251	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	54°F	77°F
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast	65	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	High	77%	57°F	70°F
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968	59	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Very High	69%	64°F	72°F
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002	56	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Very High	66.5%	65°F	68°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	52	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469	39	Wyeast	Ale	0.09	High	69%	64°F	72°F
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318	38	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	High	73%	64°F	74°F
Imperial Yeast - A09 Pub	23	Imperial Yeast	Ale		Very High	69%	64°F	70°F
White Labs - British Ale Yeast WLP005	21	White Labs	Ale	Medium	High	70.5%	65°F	70°F
Danstar - London ESB Yeast	19	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	Low	70%	65°F	72°F

Other Ingredients Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Type	Use	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Gypsum	150	Water Agt	Mash	28%	0% - 100%
Whirlfloc	76	Water Agt	Boil	70%	0% - 100%
Irish Moss	67	Fining	Boil	66%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	61	Water Agt	Mash	13%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	58	Water Agt	Mash	21%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	41	Water Agt	Mash	66%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	31	Water Agt	Mash	22%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	25	Water Agt	Mash	15%	0% - 57%
Baking Soda	22	Water Agt	Mash	11%	0% - 29%
Wyeast - Beer Nutrient	21	Water Agt	Boil	28%	0% - 100%

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