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	13186
Whitbread Flowers Original Bitter	22 L	4.52%	32.31	1.044	1.010		All Grain	8978
Hořčík #1	23 L	4.46%	32.03	1.045	1.011		All Grain	8075
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter	22.5 L	4.07%	39.01	1.043	1.012		All Grain	6034
Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker	22 L	4.07%	30.44	1.042	1.011		All Grain	5724
bitter	20 L	4.5%	35.71	1.046	1.011		All Grain	5395
queen of the iceni	5.5 gal	3.92%	34.68	1.040	1.010		All Grain	5226
Hop Light Pale Ale	44 L	4.35%	34.45	1.041	1.008		BIAB	4353
Allt Home Fire	20 L	4.47%	36.77	1.043	1.009		All Grain	4116
Prodigal son 2	22 L	4.52%	39.01	1.043	1.009		Partial Mash	3767

Newest Best Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Cask Beer 1 - Best Bitter	35 gal	4.32%	18.46	1.043	1.010		All Grain	15
Endeavour Smash	23 L	4.5%	34.84	1.048	1.013		All Grain	26
Jason's First Best Bitter	23 L	4.34%	28.44	1.044	1.011		extract	34
Aromatic Best	16 L	4.27%	37.37	1.042	1.010		All Grain	27
Sussex Best	6 L	4.58%	32.35	1.047	1.012		All Grain	28
Drei ESB	22 L	4.51%	35.27	1.046	1.011		BIAB	34
ESB	5.5 gal	4.52%	24.72	1.045	1.010		BIAB	31
Real Ale 14-03	16 L	4.31%	32.43	1.044	1.011		All Grain	37
Bra	26 L	4.35%	40.89	1.040	1.007		All Grain	32
Bitter 03-2025	20 L	4.01%	45.22	1.040	1.009		BIAB	36

Fermentables Used In Best Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	775	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	81%	3% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	132	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	1% - 29%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	123		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	2% - 20%
United Kingdom - Golden Promise	117	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3°L	37	79%	17% - 100%
Torrified Wheat	96		Adjunct	raw	2°L	36	6%	1% - 15%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	93	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	5%	1% - 16%
American - Victory	85	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	7%	2% - 24%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	85	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	2%	0% - 10%
Crisp Malting - Finest Maris Otter	81	GB	Grain	base malt	2.4°L	36.8	80%	9% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	77	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	728	5	32%	1% - 100%
Fuggles	528	4.5	32%	5% - 100%
Challenger	260	8.5	31%	3% - 100%
Target	131	11.5	34%	3% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	125	5.5	29%	5% - 96%
Goldings	92	4.5	28%	6% - 80%
Magnum	87	15	27%	4% - 100%
Cascade	84	7	27%	4% - 78%
Northern Brewer	83	7.8	33%	4% - 75%
Willamette	77	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	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%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	6	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	58%	25% - 100%
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	6	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	65%	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%
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	428	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	54°F	77°F
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469	98	Wyeast	Ale	0.09	High	69%	64°F	72°F
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002	94	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Very High	66.5%	65°F	68°F
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968	78	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Very High	69%	64°F	72°F
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast	76	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	High	77%	57°F	70°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	66	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318	62	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	379	Water Agt	Mash	26%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	194	Water Agt	Mash	14%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	168	Water Agt	Mash	10%	0% - 50%
Whirlfloc	149	Water Agt	Boil	68%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	132	Water Agt	Mash	73%	0% - 100%
Irish Moss	123	Fining	Mash	65%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	80	Water Agt	Mash	19%	0% - 100%
Baking Soda	76	Water Agt	Mash	9%	0% - 42%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	47	Water Agt	Mash	20%	0% - 73%
Yeast Nutrient	38	Other	Boil	30%	0% - 100%

Photos