hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Bathams Best Bitter

Tap to rate

A straw-coloured, cask-conditioned bitter at 4.3% and the beer the brewery is known for. The first impression is sweet: pale, grainy malt with a fruity and lightly floral note, which several tasters place near lemon or orange. A dry, hoppy bitterness then takes over and carries the finish. Tasting notes describe the Best Bitter as light and refreshing, with the sweetness and the late hop bite held in balance.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 1991
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
Best Bitter
Silver · 1989
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
Best Bitter
★Gold — CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain (Best Bitter)
★Silver — CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain (Best Bitter)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppyfruitycitrusy
hoppy
fruity
citrusy
malty
floral
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with soft, grainy Malz notes underscored by a subtle fruitiness suggesting lemon or orange zest.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bathams Best Bitter

◎ Appearance

Straw-coloured and bright, presenting a clean, translucent body characteristic of a well-made cask-conditioned bitter. The head is modest but persistent, with fine Schaumhaftung that clings to the glass as the level drops. Carbonation is gentle and even, befitting its cask-aged nature.

pale strawbright clarityfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with soft, grainy Malz notes underscored by a subtle fruitiness suggesting lemon or orange zest. A light floral character threads through, adding refinement without assertiveness. The overall impression is inviting and approachable, with no harsh or oxidative edges.

pale graincitrus fruitlight floral

◐ Taste

Entry is sweetly malty, establishing a foundation of pale cereal character that carries into the mid-palate. A dry, measured hop bitterness emerges cleanly, providing structure and grip without overwhelming the delicate fruit notes. The balance tilts slightly toward the bitter finish, offering genuine drinkability and food-friendly restraint.

malty entryrestrained bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

A crisp, dry conclusion with lingering hop bite that fades cleanly. The aftertaste is light and refreshing, leaving no cloying sweetness behind.

drycrisphoppy fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
81
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
82
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Bathams Best Bitter

More from Bathams Brewery

Bathams Alcohol Free
Bathams Alcohol Free
Alcohol-Free Pale Ale
40 IBU
Find matches →
Bathams Mild Ale
Bathams Mild Ale
Dark Mild
3.5% · 24 IBU
Find matches →
Bathams XXX
Bathams XXX
English Strong Ale
6.5% · 35 IBU
Find matches →

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 hoppy, bitter, sweet character as Bathams Best Bitter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →