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3B

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Fruity and malty on the nose, then a lingering bittersweet flavour: this copper-coloured ale was first brewed in 1910 as Arkell's Best Bitter Beer, and customers have called it BBB or 3B ever since. Maris Otter malt with Fuggles and Goldings hops keeps it balanced at 4.0%.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
SRM
amber12
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitymaltynoble hop
fruity
malty
noble hop
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with bright stone fruit and subtle orchard notes from the Fuggles and Goldings hops, complemented by a warm, biscuited Malz character from the Maris Otter grain.
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for 3B

◎ Appearance

A clear copper ale with a warm amber glow, displaying the classic hue of a well-crafted British bitter. The head forms a modest cream-coloured crown that disperses gradually, leaving fine lines of lacing down the glass. Carbonation is gentle and restrained, characteristic of a cask-conditioned style.

copper-colouredclearcreamy headdelicate lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright stone fruit and subtle orchard notes from the Fuggles and Goldings hops, complemented by a warm, biscuited Malz character from the Maris Otter grain. Beneath these primary layers lies a gentle floral suggestion and a whisper of honey sweetness, creating a rounded and inviting aromatic profile.

fruity, stone fruitnoble hops, floralbiscuit, maltyhoney sweetness

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and malty, with Maris Otter delivering a rich grain foundation and subtle caramel undertones. The mid-palate balances fruit-forward character against a refined bitterness from the classic English hops, while a lingering bittersweet finish keeps the palate engaged without harshness. At 4% ABV, the beer remains approachable yet flavourful.

bittersweet balancefruit-forwardcaramel notessmooth body

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and measured, with a lingering pleasant bitterness that fades to a clean, malty aftertaste. The drying quality invites the next sip without overwhelming.

dry finishlingering bitternessclean aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
84
Appearance
78
Finish
80
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with 3B

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About Best Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Best Bitter?

Best Bitter is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Best Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, malty, noble-hop character as 3B will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →