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Theakston XB

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Ruby-coloured and full-bodied, XB carries a delicate Calvados-like aroma and a subtle rhubarb and apple fruit flavour, with bitterness and fruitiness in balance from Bramling Cross and Fuggle hops. First brewed in 1982 to celebrate the purchase of the Carlisle Brewery, it owes its name to the only two cask stamps the brewery had at the time: an X and a B.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Clean, dry bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruityhoppytart
fruity
hoppy
tart
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with delicate stone fruit and orchard fruit character—green apple and subtle rhubarb—reminiscent of Calvados brandy.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Theakston XB

◎ Appearance

Theakston XB presents a clear ruby-amber body with excellent depth of color. A dense, cream-colored head forms on the pour and maintains good retention throughout the glass, leaving distinct lacing as the beer is consumed. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined visual presence.

ruby-amberclearpersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with delicate stone fruit and orchard fruit character—green apple and subtle rhubarb—reminiscent of Calvados brandy. Bramling Cross and Fuggle hops contribute a refined floral and herbal undertone without overwhelming the composition. Beneath lies a soft, supporting malt sweetness that rounds the aromatic profile.

stone fruitappleherbalsubtle spice

◐ Taste

Entry is full-bodied and smooth, with balanced fruit and bitterness developing across the palate. Mid-palate reveals layers of tart apple and rhubarb complemented by gentle hop bitterness that never dominates. The malt backbone provides warmth and slight sweetness, allowing all elements—fruit, bitterness, and structure—to coexist in equilibrium.

full-bodiedfruity-bitter balanceclean palatelayered complexity

◑ Finish

The finish is moderately long and drying, with lingering hop bitterness and subtle fruit notes fading gracefully. Aftertaste remains crisp and refreshing without harsh astringency, leaving a pleasant memory of apple and balanced bitterness.

dry finishhoppy farewellrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
82
Appearance
78
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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 Theakston XB

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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 full-bodied, fruity, bitter character as Theakston XB will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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