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Arkell Best Bitter

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Rich amber, the first beer the brewery released in 1985 and still poured from the cask at a Guelph pub. Toasty, sweet malt on the nose; a medium biscuit body carrying hints of apricot and raisin; then an earthy, well-rounded hop bitterness with a floral edge closing it out. At four percent it stays light on its feet without thinning out.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession

AWARDS

Silver · 2022
Ontario Brewing Awards
British Bitter
Bronze · 2022
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Bitter
Bronze · 2022
Canadian Brewing Awards
English Bitters
Silver · 2021
U.S. Open Beer Championship
Bitter
Silver · 2019
Canadian Brewing Awards
English Bitters
★Silver — Ontario Brewing Awards (British Bitter)
★Bronze — U.S. Open Beer Championship (Bitter)
★Bronze — Canadian Brewing Awards (English Bitters)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
toastyearthyfloral
toasty
earthy
floral
malty
fruity
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced toasty Malz character, warm and inviting without being heavy.
also:hoppy
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Arkell Best Bitter

◎ Appearance

Rich amber hue with good clarity and a fine, persistent head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, maintaining a composed presence without excessive effervescence. This is a beer that presents with quiet confidence in the glass.

rich amberclearfine lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced toasty Malz character, warm and inviting without being heavy. Gentle sweet malt notes blend with hints of dried stone fruit—apricot and raisin—while a subtle floral quality from the Edelhopfen sits in the background. The overall impression is one of restraint and balance.

toasty maltsweetdried fruitfloral hops

◐ Taste

A biscuit-forward palate carries the toasty Malz through mid-palate with medium body that feels substantial without being dense. The fruity notes from the nose emerge again, accompanied by an earthy hop character that builds gradually. The finish brings a well-rounded bitterness with that floral edge, clean and assertive but never harsh.

biscuitearthymedium bodyfruitybalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is dry and composed, with lingering earthy hop notes fading into a faint malt sweetness. Despite its modest 4% ABV, the beer maintains excellent structure and leaves the palate refreshed rather than thin.

dryearthy finishrefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
83
Appearance
82
Finish
82
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 Arkell Best Bitter

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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 toasty, earthy, sweet character as Arkell Best Bitter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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