hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Tolly Roger

Cliff Quay Brewery
United Kingdom·Best Bitter
Tap to rate

Tolly Roger is a deep golden bitter of 4.2% from the Cliff Quay core range, brewed with pale malt alone and hopped with a blend of English, American and Slovenian varieties. The hops give it a fresh, fruity character with hints of citrus, held in a delicately balanced profile. It is one of the beers Jeremy Moss created for the brewery, and it has been brewed in his memory since his death in 2020.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber13
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruityhoppycitrusy
fruity
hoppy
citrusy
caramel
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with warm, toasted malt character underpinned by subtle caramel sweetness.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tolly Roger

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper-brown hue reflecting the beer's modest crystal malt content. The body presents clear brilliance with fine, persistent carbonation that builds a dense, creamy head with good retention and lacing. A traditional appearance befitting a classic English bitter.

deep amberclearcreamy headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with warm, toasted malt character underpinned by subtle caramel sweetness. English hop varieties contribute restrained floral and herbal notes without dominating, while a faint nuttiness emerges in the background. Overall a balanced, malt-forward bouquet with gentle earthiness.

toasted maltsfloral hopscaramel sweetnessherbal earth

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full-bodied, with pronounced maltziness balanced by a bready, slightly nutty character. Mid-palate maintains complexity through caramel and toasty notes, while English hop bitterness arrives with measured restraint—clean and defined without harsh edges. The finish lingers with gentle drying and a subtle herbal fade.

malty corecaramel sweetnessrestrained bitternessclean drying

◑ Finish

Medium-length finish with lingering malt sweetness gradually giving way to dry, herbal bitterness. A warming aftertaste consistent with the beer's approachable 4.2% alcohol.

medium lengthwarm character
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
76
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 Tolly Roger

More from Cliff Quay Brewery

Anchor Bitter
Anchor Bitter
Ordinary Bitter
4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Black Jack
Black Jack
Porter
4.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cliff Quay Bitter
Cliff Quay Bitter
Ordinary Bitter
3.4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Clipper
Clipper
Blonde Ale
4.3%·Mild
Find matches →
Sea Dog
Sea Dog
Pale Ale
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Siren
Siren
Golden Ale
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Three Sheets To the Wind
Three Sheets To the Wind
Golden Ale
3.9%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Tumble Home
Tumble Home
Strong Bitter
4.7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

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 fruity, hoppy, citrusy character as Tolly Roger will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →