hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

TBC

United Kingdom·Ordinary Bitter
Tap to rate

Malty, fruity and floral in the aroma, then biscuit, a bitter hop edge and a dry finish. TBC, short for Thwaites Best Cask, is a light amber bitter at 3.4% ABV, brewed with Citra, Ernest and Styrian Cardinal hops and available all year round. It comes from the Mellor Brook brewery in the Ribble Valley, where Thwaites brews for its own pubs, inns and hotels.

ABV
3.4%
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
maltyfruityfloral
malty
fruity
floral
bready
hoppy
citrusy
Aroma
The nose opens with distinct malty and floral character, backed by gentle citrus notes from the Citra hops.
also:caramel
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for TBC

◎ Appearance

Light amber in color with good clarity and a fine, persistent head. The carbonation is moderate and even, with stable lacing that clings to the glass.

light amberclearstable head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with distinct malty and floral character, backed by gentle citrus notes from the Citra hops. Subtle fruity undertones and a hint of biscuit add complexity without overwhelming the senses.

floralcitrus notesmaltyfruity undertones

◐ Taste

The palate is clean and biscuity on entry, with pronounced malt backbone and a firm hop bitterness that builds through the mid-palate. The fruity-floral hop character integrates well, while subtle caramel notes provide balance and a touch of roundness.

biscuity maltdry bitternessbalancedsmooth body

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and crisp, with the hop bitterness persisting cleanly without harshness. A light biscuit character lingers briefly before fading.

dry finishclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
75
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with TBC

More from Thwaites

13 Guns
13 Guns
American IPA
5.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Amber
Amber
Amber Ale
4.4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
BOO!
BOO!
Amber Ale
4.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Christmas Jumper
Christmas Jumper
Amber Ale
3.9%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Gold
Gold
Golden Ale
4.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
HO HO... OH NO!
HO HO... OH NO!
Brown Ale
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
IPA
IPA
IPA
4%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Original
Original
Ordinary Bitter
3.4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

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

Compare with another beer →