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Unicorn

Robinsons Brewery
United Kingdom·Best Bitter·Rank 11 of 39 · The Best British Amber Ales
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Unicorn is the flagship bitter of Robinsons, brewed since 1896 and first sold as Robinsons Best Bitter; it later took the name of the inn where the brewery began. It pours amber and smells of spicy hops and malt. In the taste, malt sweetness and hop bitterness sit in balance, and tasters also pick out caramel and a little fruit. The finish is long and dry with a hint of citrus, and the bitterness stays gentle. Despite the full flavour, the body remains light.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop 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
maltyspicy hopcaramel
malty
spicy hop
caramel
hoppy
citrusy
fruity
Aroma
The nose leads with spicy noble hop character, layered beneath toasted malt sweetness.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Unicorn

◎ Appearance

Unicorn presents a clear amber hue with bright clarity and good light transmission. The head forms with modest retention, laying down fine lacing as it recedes. Carbonation is gentle and steady, appropriate to the style.

amberclearfine lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with spicy noble hop character, layered beneath toasted malt sweetness. Caramel notes emerge in the background, supported by subtle fruit esters that add depth without dominating.

spicy hopsmalt sweetnesscaramelsubtle fruit

◐ Taste

Malt sweetness and hop bitterness arrive in good balance on the palate. Caramel and light fruit flavours develop through the mid-palate, while the body remains remarkably light despite the full flavour profile. Bitterness resolves gently without astringency.

balancedmaltylight-bodieddry bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is notably long and dry, with a lingering citrus note that extends the aftertaste. Gentle bitterness persists without harshness, leaving the palate clean and refreshed.

long dry finishcitrusgentle bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
78
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 Unicorn

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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, light character as Unicorn will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Best Bitters in hopIQ

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best British Amber Ales→Featured inThe Best British Beers→
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