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Master Brew

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Herbaceous Kentish hops lie on a firm, biscuity bed of pale and crystal malt, and a toffee aroma over a dry, fruity, bitter palate. Master Brew is brewed in Kent's hop country with Target, Challenger, Goldings and First Gold, and as a Kentish ale it carries a protected geographical indication. The auburn-amber bitter (34 IBU) is 4.0% in the bottle and 3.7% on cask, with a fullness of flavour that its low strength hides.

ABV
4.0%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter34 IBU
Malt-forward 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
herbalfruitymalty
herbal
fruity
malty
hoppy
caramel
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.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

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
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 Master Brew

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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 herbal, bitter, dry character as Master Brew will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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