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Sussex Best

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Copper-coloured best bitter and the beer Harvey's is known for, brewed since the 1950s. Maris Otter malt with a dash of crystal gives a doughy, caramel-tinged body; a blend of four local hop varieties adds floral spice and a firmly hoppy finish. Malt and caramel lead on the nose, the palate sets bitterness against a light sweetness, and a faint note of banana sits on top.

ABV
4.0%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber16
PaceSession

AWARDS

Silver · 2026
World Beer Awards
Bronze · 2021
World Beer Awards
Pale Beer
Silver · 2019
World Beer Awards
Bitter up to 4.5%
Gold · 2006
Champion Beer of Britain
Best Bitter
Gold · 2005
Champion Beer of Britain
Best Bitter
★Silver — World Beer Awards
★Bronze — World Beer Awards (Pale Beer)
★Silver — World Beer Awards (Bitter up to 4.5%)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
hoppymaltyfloral
hoppy
malty
floral
caramel
banana
spicy
Aroma
The nose leads with warm, inviting malt character—caramel and toasted bread notes dominate, complemented by subtle herbal and floral hop notes.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sussex Best

◎ Appearance

A beautiful amber-bronze hue with excellent clarity and a rich, tan head that forms quickly and persists throughout the glass. The color is characteristic of traditional English best bitters, reflecting the balanced use of crystal and pale malts. Moderate carbonation creates a gentle, creamy head with fine bubbles.

amber-bronzecleartan headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with warm, inviting malt character—caramel and toasted bread notes dominate, complemented by subtle herbal and floral hop notes. Earthy undertones suggest traditional English hop varieties, while a hint of toffee sweetness rounds out the profile. The aroma is clean and well-integrated, with no sharp alcohol presence.

maltycaramelherbal hopstoasted bread

◐ Taste

The palate opens with satisfying malt sweetness—caramel and bread flavors establish a solid foundation, followed by a gentle but present bitterness that balances without overwhelming. Mid-palate reveals earthy, herbal hop character with delicate floral notes, while toffee undertones add depth and complexity. The bitterness (35 IBU) is restrained, allowing the malt to shine while maintaining excellent drinkability.

malty-sweetbalanced bitternessearthytoffee notes

◑ Finish

A clean, dry finish with moderate length that leaves a pleasant lingering bitterness and subtle malt sweetness. The aftertaste is characteristically dry without being harsh, making this highly sessionable and satisfying.

cleandrylingering bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
83
Appearance
81
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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Sussex Best

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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 hoppy, malty, floral character as Sussex Best will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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