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Master Brew

Shepherd Neame
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🌍 United Kingdom · English Bitter · One of 17 English Bitters in hopIQ

The classic Kentish Bitter from Faversham — Kent's herbaceous-floral hops resting on a firm, biscuity bed of pale and crystal malts. Auburn-amber in the glass, inviting toffee aroma, and remarkably juicy-full despite its modest 4.0% ABV. Holds EU PGI status as a Kentish Ale — the beer equivalent of a protected origin designation.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter34 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another English Bitter.
Hop character
floral
herbal
Malt character
caramel
toasty

FEATURED IN

#1 of 50The Best British Amber Ales#6 of 50The Best British Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Master Brew

Appearance

Auburn-amber hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing down the glass. The carbonation is gentle and even, creating a soft mousse rather than aggressive bubbles. Light catches the beer with warm, inviting transparency.

auburn-amberclearfine lacingsoft carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced Kent hop character—floral and herbaceous notes mingle with sweet toffee and caramel undertones from the pale and crystal malts. There is an appealing earthiness beneath, with a light spice that suggests the traditional Edelhopfen varieties used. No yeast character dominates; the aromatic profile remains malt-forward and restrained.

floral hopsherbaceoustoffeeearthy spice

Taste

The palate enters toasty and biscuity, with a firm malt backbone of caramel sweetness that belies the modest 4% ABV. Mid-palate reveals the gentle bitterness (34 IBU) balanced against the herbal-floral hop resin, creating a pleasant tension without harshness. The finish is notably smooth and dry, with lingering toasted grain and a subtle herbal fade.

toasty maltcaramel sweetnessherbal bitternesssmooth mouthfeel

Finish

The finish is dry and clean, with the bitterness receding gracefully into a residual toast and herb memory. Aftertaste is light, leaving the palate refreshed and inviting another sip.

dry finishherbal fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Master Brew

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°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 Master Brew

About English Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a English Bitter?

English 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 English Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same toasty, floral, herbal character as Master Brew will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other English Bitters in hopIQ

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