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Best Bitter

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Brewed right after the first Long Blonde in 2012 and still the flagship: a traditional Sussex best bitter with a bittersweet, malty taste, fragrant hops with fruity and spicy notes in the aroma, and a long, deep, dry finish. Fuggles and Goldings are the hops.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Clean, dry 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
maltyfruityhoppy
malty
fruity
hoppy
spicy
noble hop
caramel
Aroma
The nose opens with warm, grainy Malz character grounded by Fuggles and Goldings hops in their classic earthy-floral register.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Best Bitter

◎ Appearance

A clear amber ale of medium depth, with a warm copper hue typical of traditional Sussex brewing. The head forms with good initial retention, settling to a thin collar with persistent lacing. Carbonation is moderate and even, giving the beer a clean, inviting presentation.

copper amberclearpersistent lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with warm, grainy Malz character grounded by Fuggles and Goldings hops in their classic earthy-floral register. Fruity esters emerge—subtle orchard notes—alongside gentle spice, contributing complexity without dominating. A touch of noble-hop minerality rounds out the bouquet, inviting and approachable.

malty grainFuggles, Goldingsorchard fruitsubtle spice

◐ Taste

Entry is malty and full-bodied, with a bittersweet backbone that carries through the mid-palate. Hoppy bitterness (28 IBU) is dry and balanced rather than aggressive, supported by caramel notes that add roundness without cloying. The finish dries progressively, with lingering hop edge and a clean, mineral aftertaste.

bittersweet maltdry, balanced bitternesscaramel sweetnesssmooth palate

◑ Finish

Long and deep, with a pronounced dry character that reflects the beer's hop selection. The aftertaste holds noble-hop mineral notes and a faint herbal persistence, leaving the mouth clean and inviting another sip.

long, dry finishmineral aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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 Best Bitter

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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 malty, dry, bitter character as Best Bitter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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