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HBB

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An easy-drinking light amber bitter with a fragrant citrus hop aroma, leading to subtle malty and citrus fruit notes on the palate. The finish is slightly bittersweet, with a light malty aftertaste. HBB, short for Hogs Back Bitter, is a 3.7% session bitter from the Tongham brewery in Surrey, which has been making beer at Manor Farm since 1992.

ABV
3.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
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
citrusyhoppymalty
citrusy
hoppy
malty
fruity
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus character—lemon and orange zest—characteristic of the Edelhopfen additions.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for HBB

◎ Appearance

Light amber hue with good transparency and gentle effervescence. A modest white head forms on the pour, showing decent retention and fine lacing that clings delicately to the glass as you drink. The overall presentation is clean and inviting, befitting a straightforward session bitter.

light amberclearfine lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus character—lemon and orange zest—characteristic of the Edelhopfen additions. Beneath this hop-forward profile sit subtle malty undertones that ground the aroma without dominating. A whisper of orchard fruit adds dimension, creating an accessible and refreshing opening impression.

citrus zestfloral hopssubtle maltorchard fruit

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and smooth, with citrus notes carrying through the palate alongside a gentle malty sweetness. The mid-palate balances fruity brightness against restrained bitterness, never aggressive or overstated. The 28 IBUs work in harmony with the delicate malt foundation, creating a session-friendly bitterness that invites another sip.

citrus-drivenbalanced bitternesssmooth palatemalty sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish unfolds with a slight bittersweet quality, transitioning to a gentle malty aftertaste that fades cleanly. Lingering citrus notes persist briefly before giving way to a dry, refreshing conclusion.

clean finishmalty fadedry
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
75
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 HBB

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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 citrusy, bitter, hoppy character as HBB will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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