hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Arkell Best Bitter

Wellington Brewery
Tap to rate
🌍 Canada · Best Bitter · One of 7 Best Bitters in hopIQ

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

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)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Best Bitter.
Hop character
earthy
floral
hoppy
Malt character
toasty
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruityclean
Compare with another beer →

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
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Arkell Best Bitter

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Arkell Best Bitter

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.

Other Best Bitters in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find Arkell Best Bitter? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →