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
John Smith	5.5 gal	3.21%	35.81	1.034	1.010		Partial Mash	6118
Black Sheep Ale clone	23 L	3.93%	26.25	1.039	1.010		All Grain	4377
Bitter	5.5 gal	3.76%	28.8	1.038	1.010		BIAB	3896
UK Ordinary Bitter	20 L	3.64%	29.34	1.037	1.010		All Grain	3059
House Beer	1 gal	4.47%	16.72	1.046	1.012		All Grain	2850
Manchester Bitter	20 L	4.03%	14.74	1.040	1.009		All Grain	2811
Roger's	23 L	3.94%	20.87	1.039	1.008		BIAB	2791
Luddite Ales 2017	500 L	3.77%	35.59	1.037	1.008		All Grain	2738
banks's mild	19 L	3.44%	33.05	1.035	1.009		All Grain	2585
FUGGLES ALE	21 L	4.19%	24.76	1.042	1.010		All Grain	2250

Newest Ordinary Bitter Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Austrian Bitter	17 L	4.11%	34.34	1.039	1.007		All Grain	12
Bitterfrom Dry	5 L	3.22%	32.04	1.035	1.011		extract	17
Red Ale	1000 L	5.95%	23.9	1.060	1.015		All Grain	24
Awesome Recipe	20 L	3.59%	0	1.036	1.009		All Grain	33
Ordinary Bitter	280 gal	3.60496%	0	1.004	1.004		All Grain	7
Boddingtons Pub Ale - 1971 recipe	3 gal	3.91%	26.6	1.036	1.006		BIAB	34
Shaun's Goacher's Fine Light	19 L	3.94%	26.44	1.037	1.007		All Grain	39
Awesome Recipe	23 L	5.29%	2.05	1.054	1.013		All Grain	25
Awesome Recipe	10 L	3.75%	28.04	1.038	1.010		All Grain	22
low alcohol English bitter	5.5 gal	3.01%	19.38	1.035	1.012		BIAB	52

Fermentables Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale	592	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3.75°L	38	82%	5% - 100%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	94		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	7%	0% - 20%
United Kingdom - Golden Promise	85	United Kingdom	Grain	base malt	3°L	37	75%	4% - 100%
United Kingdom - Crystal 60L	80	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	8%	2% - 36%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	77	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	6%	2% - 18%
US - Pale 2-Row	77	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	73%	9% - 100%
Crisp Malting - Finest Maris Otter	67	GB	Grain	base malt	2.4°L	36.8	76%	6% - 100%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	66	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	2%	0% - 22%
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	65	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	7%	2% - 29%
Torrified Wheat	60		Adjunct	raw	2°L	36	7%	1% - 19%

Hops Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
East Kent Goldings	549	5	34%	3% - 100%
Fuggles	367	4.5	34%	3% - 100%
Challenger	166	8.5	35%	1% - 100%
Target	74	11.5	33%	4% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	73	5.5	30%	11% - 100%
Magnum	71	15	28%	2% - 100%
Northern Brewer	71	7.8	35%	8% - 100%
Cascade	68	7	30%	4% - 100%
Goldings	67	4.5	35%	1% - 100%
Kent Goldings	60	5	36%	11% - 100%

Steeping Grains Used In Ordinary Bitter Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
American - Caramel / Crystal 40L	8	American	Grain	crystal malt	40°L	34	69%	33% - 100%
Caramel / Crystal 60L	8		Grain	crystal malt	60°L	34	67%	29% - 100%
American - Caramel / Crystal 120L	6	American	Grain	crystal malt	120°L	33	51%	14% - 68%
United Kingdom - Chocolate	5	United Kingdom	Grain	roasted malt	425°L	34	34%	6% - 100%
American - Carapils (Dextrine Malt)	5	American	Grain	crystal malt	1.8°L	33	44%	17% - 62%
American - Victory	5	American	Grain	roasted malt	28°L	34	29%	13% - 47%
United Kingdom - Cara Malt	4	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	17.5°L	35	100%	100% - 100%
Belgian - Biscuit	3	Belgian	Grain	roasted malt	23°L	35	46%	40% - 50%
United Kingdom - Crystal 50L	3	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	50°L	34	92%	75% - 100%
United Kingdom - Carastan (30/37)	3	United Kingdom	Grain	crystal malt	34°L	35	51%	25% - 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	304	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	54°F	77°F
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast	74	Danstar	Ale	Med-High	High	77%	57°F	70°F
White Labs - English Ale Yeast WLP002	66	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Very High	66.5%	65°F	68°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	64	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
Wyeast - London ESB Ale 1968	62	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	Very High	69%	64°F	72°F
Wyeast - West Yorkshire 1469	51	Wyeast	Ale	0.09	High	69%	64°F	72°F
Wyeast - London Ale III 1318	37	Wyeast	Ale	0.1	High	73%	64°F	74°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® NOTTINGHAM HIGH PERFORMANCE ALE YEAST	32	Lallemand	Ales	Medium	High	80%	50°F	72°F
Imperial Yeast - A09 Pub	31	Imperial Yeast	Ale		Very High	69%	64°F	70°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® LONDON ENGLISH-STYLE ALE YEAST	26	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	220	Water Agt	Mash	27%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	104	Water Agt	Mash	18%	0% - 100%
Whirlfloc	99	Fining	Boil	68%	0% - 100%
Epsom Salt	96	Water Agt	Mash	11%	0% - 100%
Irish Moss	76	Fining	Mash	64%	0% - 100%
Lactic acid	74	Water Agt	Mash	67%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	49	Water Agt	Mash	19%	0% - 100%
Baking Soda	34	Water Agt	Mash	12%	0% - 44%
Phosphoric acid	25	Water Agt	Sparge	54%	2% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	25	Water Agt	Mash	15%	0% - 57%

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