hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Black Country Bitter

Tap to rate

A straw-gold session bitter built on Maris Otter malt and Fuggles hops. The brewery speaks of a distinctive, assertive hop character set against a fruity palate and a malty finish; CAMRA's tasting note calls it medium-bodied and well balanced, with a subtle dry, hoppy close. The colour is paler than is usual for the style, and the bitterness is firm without turning sharp. It is the everyday beer of the Holden's pubs and a long-standing part of the regular range.

ABV
3.9%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Clean, dry bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceSession

AWARDS

Silver · 2005
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain
Bitter
Gold · 2018
CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain (regional, West Midlands)
Bitter
★Silver — CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain (Bitter)
★Gold — CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain (regional, West Midlands) (Bitter)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppyfruitymalty
hoppy
fruity
malty
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with a distinctive Fuggles character—herbal and slightly earthy, with a gentle spice undertone.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Country Bitter

◎ Appearance

Straw-gold in colour, noticeably lighter than the traditional ordinary bitter archetype. The beer presents with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that clings to the glass with good lacing. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, lending a gentle liveliness without aggressive effervescence.

straw-goldclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with a distinctive Fuggles character—herbal and slightly earthy, with a gentle spice undertone. Beneath this sits a solid Maris Otter foundation offering subtle grain sweetness and a whisper of biscuit. The hop presence is assertive without dominating, creating an inviting and balanced aromatic profile.

herbal Fugglesgrain sweetnessbiscuitassertive hops

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and approachable, with a fruity palate that unfolds across the mid-point. The Maris Otter malt delivers a rounded, malty character with hints of breadiness. Bitterness is firm and present, arriving with dry-hopped restraint and never ascending into harshness, maintaining excellent balance throughout.

fruityround maltfirm bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

The close is dry and hoppy, lingering with subtle bitterness and a malty warmth. The finish leaves a clean, slightly grainy aftertaste that encourages the next sip.

dryhoppy closeclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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 Black Country Bitter

More from Holden's Brewery

5 Stout
5 Stout
Stout
5% · 35 IBU
Find matches →
Black Country Lager
Black Country Mild
Black Country Mild
Dark Mild
3.7% · 24 IBU
Find matches →
Black Country Special
Black Country Special
Strong Bitter
5.1% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Dragon's Blood
Dragon's Blood
Strong Bitter
5.6% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Golden Glow
Golden Glow
Golden Ale
4.4% · 20 IBU
Find matches →
Holden's Old Ale
Hop Waves
Hop Waves
Session IPA
4% · 40 IBU
Find matches →

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 hoppy, bitter, fruity character as Black Country Bitter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →