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Legend

Nottingham Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Extra Special Bitter · One of 16 Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

Nottingham Brewery revived a historic brand with Legend — a traditional Extra Special Bitter that leans on caramel malt and a balanced bitterness at a manageable 4%. It's structured and flavourful without being heavy, the kind of beer that rewards attention but doesn't demand it. A genuine link to British bitter tradition.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Extra Special Bitter.
Hop character
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
bready
toasty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Legend

Appearance

Legend presents a deep amber hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that clings to the glass in delicate lacework. The carbonation is gentle and well-integrated, speaking to careful conditioning rather than aggressive fizz. Light transmission reveals the beer's true mahogany depth without any haze.

deep amberclearpersistent lacinggentle carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced caramel and biscuit sweetness, the foundation of the beer's malty character. Subtle noble hop aromatics emerge underneath—restrained and herbal rather than assertive—while a light toast note rounds the profile without harshness. The overall impression is balanced and inviting, neither aggressive nor timid.

caramel maltbiscuitnoble hopstoasted grain

Taste

The palate delivers genuine malt structure: caramel sweetness and breadiness anchor the entry, while a measured bitterness builds through the mid-palate without overwhelming. The 40 IBU sits comfortably within the ESB framework—enough to provide tension and clarity, not enough to dominate. Flavours remain clean and crisp, with a satisfying smoothness that rewards deliberate sipping.

malt-forwardbalanced bitternesscrispsmooth

Finish

The finish is dry and moderately long, with the bitterness persisting cleanly without astringency. A faint malt sweetness lingers in the background, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

dry finishmoderate lengthclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Legend

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Legend

About Extra Special Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra Special Bitter?

Extra Special 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 Extra Special Bitter

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

Other Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ