Beers similar to Brewers Strength Original

Strong Bitter·United Kingdom·4.8% ABV·One of 32 Strong Bitters in hopIQ·

hopIQ found 10 beers that share Brewers Strength Original's bitter and dry character. A pronounced bitterness runs through a balance of malt and hop flavours and ends in a dry finish. Brewers Strength Original is the amber-coloured, stronger version of the brewery's Original bitter, at 4.8% against that beer's 4.0% on cask and 4.5% in the bottle. Pubs were still pouring it on cask in September 2026.

Similar beers ranked by flavour match rather than popularity.Similar beers ranked by flavour, not popularity.

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10 beers like Brewers Strength Original

Adnams Extra Special Bitter

Adnams Brewery

United Kingdom · Strong Bitter · 4.3%

TWIN

99%

FLAVOUR MATCH

Like Butcombe on hop character and malt character — adds resin notes.

What carries overbitterdryhoppymaltycaramel

Structure: very close

Compared to Butcomberesinousfloralherbal

Structure: Same structure — body, sweetness, bitterness and texture all land on the same spot.

Structure: very close

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Courage Directors

Marston's Brewery

United Kingdom · Strong Bitter · 4.8%

TWIN

98%

FLAVOUR MATCH

A touch more fullness — hop character and malt character as with Butcombe.

What carries overbitterdryhoppymaltycaramel

Structure: very close

Compared to Butcombefull-bodiedsweetfruity

Structure: Same structure — body, sweetness, bitterness and texture all land on the same spot.

Structure: very close

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Bellringer

Abbey Ales

United Kingdom · Best Bitter · 4.2%

CLOSE ALTERNATIVE

89%

FLAVOUR MATCH

Keeps hop character and malt character like Butcombe; adds citrus notes, lighter-bodied.

What carries overbitterdryhoppymaltycaramel

Structure: a touch lighter, drier

Compared to Butcombecleancitrusylight

Structure: Very close — a touch less body, a touch less sweetness.

Structure: a touch lighter, drier

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Wadworth 6X

Wadworth

United Kingdom · Best Bitter · 4.1%

89%

MATCH

Shares malt character and hop character with Butcombe; adds fullness, a notch softer.

Structure: a notch softer

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Butcombe Original

Butcombe Brewing Co.

United Kingdom · Ordinary Bitter · 4%

88%

MATCH

Alongside Butcombe on hop character and malt character: adds spiciness, a notch softer.

Structure: a notch softer

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Forward's Choice

Harvey's Brewery

United Kingdom · Ordinary Bitter · 3.4%

87%

MATCH

As with Butcombe, same hop character and malt character, plus toasty notes, a notch softer.

Structure: a notch softer

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Marmalade Cat

Fat Cat Brewery

United Kingdom · Strong Bitter · 5.5%

87%

MATCH

Same malt character and hop character as Butcombe, adds orange notes, a notch stronger, but without the dryness.

Structure: a notch stronger

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Hannen Alt

Hannen

Germany · Altbier · 4.8%

87%

MATCH

Mirrors Butcombe's malt character and hop character, plus roasted notes.

Structure: very close

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House of Commons

Smithers Brewing Company

Canada · California Common · 4.5%

86%

MATCH

Same hop character and caramel notes as Butcombe, adds bread notes.

Structure: very close

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Black Country Bitter

Holden's Brewery

United Kingdom · Ordinary Bitter · 3.9%

86%

MATCH

Softer — same hop character and malt character as Butcombe, adds fruit notes, a notch softer.

Structure: a notch softer

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