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 GuideTop 10 Ordinary Bitter Recipes
Title | Size | ABV | IBU | OG | FG | Color | Method | Views |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Smith |
5.5 gal | 3.21% | 35.81 | 1.034 | 1.010 | Partial Mash | 4918 | |
Goose Island Honkers Ale Clone |
11 gal | 4.3% | 29.9 | 1.047 | 1.014 | All Grain | 3990 | |
Bitter |
5.5 gal | 3.76% | 28.8 | 1.038 | 1.010 | BIAB | 3338 | |
Black Sheep Ale clone |
23 L | 3.93% | 26.25 | 1.039 | 1.010 | All Grain | 3083 | |
UK Ordinary Bitter |
20 L | 3.64% | 29.34 | 1.037 | 1.010 | All Grain | 2583 | |
House Beer |
1 gal | 4.47% | 16.72 | 1.046 | 1.012 | All Grain | 2303 | |
Roger's |
23 L | 3.94% | 20.87 | 1.039 | 1.008 | BIAB | 2214 | |
Luddite Ales 2017 |
500 L | 3.77% | 35.59 | 1.037 | 1.008 | All Grain | 2197 | |
Manchester Bitter |
20 L | 4.03% | 14.74 | 1.040 | 1.009 | All Grain | 2157 | |
Excited Hobbits |
25 L | 4.81% | 28.4 | 1.049 | 1.012 | Partial Mash | 1822 |
Newest Ordinary Bitter Recipes
Title | Size | ABV | IBU | OG | FG | Color | Method | Views |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Claire & Harry's London Ale |
5.5 gal | 4.18% | 31.09 | 1.049 | 1.017 | extract | 5 | |
Old school best |
19 L | 3.71% | 47.98 | 1.042 | 1.014 | All Grain | 3 | |
fuggleskent |
10 L | 4.73% | 46.71 | 1.048 | 1.012 | BIAB | 13 | |
Old school best |
19 L | 4.37% | 41.22 | 1.049 | 1.016 | All Grain | 19 | |
Awesome Recipe |
20 L | 3.46% | 32.73 | 1.039 | 1.013 | All Grain | 18 | |
FullyOrdinary |
140 gal | 3.32% | 2.47 | 1.034 | 1.008 | All Grain | 17 | |
1 gal Alpine Pub Ale |
1.22 gal | 4.6% | 12.71 | 1.046 | 1.011 | All Grain | 12 | |
Standard Pub Ale |
5 gal | 4.32% | 26.78 | 1.040 | 1.007 | All Grain | 30 | |
Light Toe Bitter |
5 gal | 3.64% | 29.87 | 1.039 | 1.011 | extract | 47 | |
Sackingworths XX |
2 gal | 3.73% | 32.91 | 1.041 | 1.013 | BIAB | 73 |
Fermentables Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)
Name | Recipes | Country | Category | Type | Color | PPG | Avg. Usage | Usage Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale | 545 | United Kingdom | Grain | base malt |
3.75°L
|
38 | 83% | 5% - 100% |
Caramel / Crystal 60L | 86 | Grain | crystal malt |
60°L
|
34 | 7% | 0% - 20% | |
United Kingdom - Golden Promise | 77 | United Kingdom | Grain | base malt |
3°L
|
37 | 76% | 4% - 100% |
US - Pale 2-Row | 73 | US | Grain | base malt |
1.8°L
|
37 | 73% | 9% - 100% |
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L | 73 | United Kingdom | Grain | crystal malt |
60°L
|
34 | 8% | 2% - 25% |
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L | 72 | American | Grain | crystal malt |
120°L
|
33 | 6% | 2% - 18% |
United Kingdom - Chocolate | 61 | United Kingdom | Grain | roasted malt |
425°L
|
34 | 2% | 0% - 22% |
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L | 60 | American | Grain | crystal malt |
40°L
|
34 | 7% | 2% - 29% |
United Kingdom - Pale 2-Row | 60 | United Kingdom | Grain | base malt |
2.5°L
|
38 | 80% | 8% - 100% |
American - Victory | 57 | 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 | 485 | 5 | 34% | 5% - 100% |
Fuggles | 319 | 4.5 | 34% | 4% - 100% |
Challenger | 160 | 8.5 | 35% | 1% - 100% |
Target | 73 | 11.5 | 33% | 4% - 100% |
Styrian Goldings | 68 | 5.5 | 29% | 2% - 80% |
Magnum | 64 | 15 | 28% | 2% - 100% |
Cascade | 61 | 7 | 29% | 6% - 100% |
Northern Brewer | 60 | 7.8 | 35% | 8% - 100% |
Kent Goldings | 56 | 5 | 37% | 11% - 100% |
Goldings | 56 | 4.5 | 34% | 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 | 8 | American | Grain | crystal malt |
40°L
|
34 | 69% | 33% - 100% |
United Kingdom - Chocolate | 6 | United Kingdom | Grain | roasted malt |
425°L
|
34 | 30% | 6% - 100% |
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L | 5 | American | Grain | crystal malt |
120°L
|
33 | 48% | 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% |
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L | 3 | United Kingdom | Grain | crystal malt |
60°L
|
34 | 97% | 91% - 100% |
United Kingdom - Crystal 50L | 3 | United Kingdom | Grain | crystal malt |
50°L
|
34 | 92% | 75% - 100% |
Belgian - Biscuit | 3 | Belgian | Grain | roasted malt |
23°L
|
35 | 46% | 40% - 50% |
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 | 273 | Fermentis / Safale | Ale | .0975 | High | 75% | 54°F | 77°F |
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast | 66 | Danstar | Ale | Med-High | High | 77% | 57°F | 70°F |
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002 | 60 | White Labs | Ale | Medium | Very High | 66.5% | 65°F | 68°F |
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968 | 59 | Wyeast | Ale | 0.1 | Very High | 69% | 64°F | 72°F |
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05 | 57 | Fermentis / Safale | Ales | Low | Medium | 81% | 54°F | 77°F |
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469 | 47 | Wyeast | Ale | 0.09 | High | 69% | 64°F | 72°F |
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318 | 39 | Wyeast | Ale | 0.1 | High | 73% | 64°F | 74°F |
Imperial Yeast - A09 Pub | 27 | Imperial Yeast | Ale | Very High | 69% | 64°F | 70°F | |
White Labs - British Ale Yeast WLP005 | 22 | White Labs | Ale | Medium | High | 70.5% | 65°F | 70°F |
Lallemand - LALBREW® LONDON ENGLISH-STYLE ALE YEAST | 21 | Lallemand | British Ales | High | Low | 65% | 65°F | 72°F |
Other Ingredients Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)
Name | Recipes | Type | Use | Avg. Usage | Usage Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gypsum | 183 | Water Agt | Mash | 28% | 0% - 100% |
Whirlfloc | 85 | Water Agt | Mash | 70% | 0% - 100% |
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) | 79 | Water Agt | Mash | 19% | 0% - 100% |
Epsom Salt | 78 | Water Agt | Mash | 13% | 0% - 100% |
Irish Moss | 70 | Fining | Boil | 65% | 0% - 100% |
Lactic acid | 54 | Water Agt | Mash | 69% | 0% - 100% |
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) | 38 | Water Agt | Mash | 20% | 0% - 100% |
Baking Soda | 29 | Water Agt | Mash | 11% | 0% - 30% |
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) | 25 | Water Agt | Mash | 15% | 0% - 57% |
Phosphoric acid | 21 | Water Agt | Mash | 61% | 0% - 100% |