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Bluebird Bitter

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Challenger hops pour a big orange-fruit aroma over biscuity malt, and in the mouth juicy malt and tart hops compete for attention. The finish stays tart and hoppy, softened by creamy malt, with a noticeable bitterness and tangy fruit that fades towards orange liqueur. Maris Otter pale malt and a dash of crystal malt keep it very pale. It won Supreme Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival in 1998.

ABV
3.4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 1998
Champion Beer of Britain
★Gold — Champion Beer of Britain
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
orangehoppytart
orange
hoppy
tart
juicy
bready
fruity
Aroma
The nose leads with a prominent orange-fruit character, lifted by Challenger hops that contribute zesty, citrus-forward notes.
also:malty,caramel
not found:piney,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bluebird Bitter

◎ Appearance

Pale golden in color, reflecting the restrained use of crystal malt alongside Maris Otter pale malt. The beer presents excellent clarity with a fine, persistent head that clings to the glass, leaving clean lacing with each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting the visual presence without aggression.

pale goldenclearpersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with a prominent orange-fruit character, lifted by Challenger hops that contribute zesty, citrus-forward notes. Beneath lies a biscuity malt foundation, bready and slightly toasted, creating a rounded, inviting profile. The aromatic balance tilts toward hop-driven fruitiness without sharp resinous edges.

orange citrusbiscuit maltherbal Challengerfruity

◐ Taste

Entry is juicy and malty, with sweet biscuit notes immediately tempered by a tartness from the Challenger hops. The mid-palate sustains this tug-of-war between creamy, soft malt sweetness and a climbing tart bitterness, with the hop character remaining prominent and tangy. Bitterness reaches a noticeable peak without harshness, framed by the gentle malt bed.

tart hopsjuicy maltbiscuitybalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish holds its tart, hoppy character, softened by creamy undertones and a whisper of orange liqueur that fades gradually. A noticeable drying bitterness lingers pleasantly, with fruity echoes that prevent the beer from becoming austere.

tart dryingorange echocreamy fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Bluebird Bitter

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About Ordinary Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Ordinary Bitter?

Ordinary 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 Ordinary Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same orange, hoppy, tart character as Bluebird Bitter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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