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Darwin's Origin

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Rich, spicy and malty, with a zesty character that descends into a long, lavish finish. A copper-coloured Best Bitter of 4.3%, first brewed in 2009 as a tribute to Shrewsbury's most famous son. Mosaic and Centennial are the hops, and the ingredients come from three continents. Brewed by Salopian in Shropshire.

ABV
4.3%
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
maltyspicycitrusy
malty
spicy
citrusy
hoppy
caramel
Aroma
The nose opens with warm, biscuity malt character undercut by a spicy herbal quality from the Mosaic and Centennial hops.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Darwin's Origin

◎ Appearance

A bright copper hue dominates the glass, clear and translucent with good light penetration. The head forms with modest density and displays fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass with each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, neither aggressive nor flat.

copper-colouredclearpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with warm, biscuity malt character undercut by a spicy herbal quality from the Mosaic and Centennial hops. Subtle citrus notes emerge in the background, lending brightness without dominating. A gentle resinous quality rounds the aromatic profile, inviting without intensity.

spicy herbalbiscuit maltcitrus undertone

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and malty, with caramel sweetness providing immediate body and warmth. The mid-palate develops a composed bitterness that integrates hop character—earthy and zesty—into a balanced whole. The richness builds progressively without becoming cloying, driven by well-judged bitterness that remains restrained at 28 IBU.

balanced malty sweetnesscomposed bitternesscaramel body

◑ Finish

The finish extends long and smooth, with the bitterness gradually receding to reveal a dry, malty aftertaste. A faint citrus brightness lingers, lending zest to the lingering conclusion.

long malty finishdry aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
84
Appearance
79
Finish
83
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 Darwin's Origin

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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, rich, spicy character as Darwin's Origin will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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