BJCP 2021 / 11B
Best Bitter
A balanced, bready, hoppy pub bitter with more depth than the ordinary.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- british isles
Serve: 50 to 55F, Nonic pint
OG1.120
1.040 to 1.048FG1.030
1.008 to 1.012IBU120
25 to 40SRM40
8 to 16ABV14%
3.8 to 4.6%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Earthy and floral English hops
- Biscuit, bread and caramel malt
- Light stone fruit
- Vague
- Hoppy
- Better
- Biscuit and earthy hop
- Best
- Moderate biscuit and light caramel malt with low to moderate earthy and floral hop, light fruity ester
Appearance
3 pts- Gold to copper
- Bright
- White to off-white head, moderate
- Vague
- Amber
- Better
- Copper, bright
- Best
- Deep gold to copper, bright, off-white head with moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Biscuit, toast and caramel malt
- Earthy and marmalade hop flavor
- Medium bitterness and a dry finish
- Vague
- Balanced
- Better
- Biscuit malt with earthy hop
- Best
- Moderate biscuit, bread and light caramel malt, moderate earthy and floral hop, medium-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-light to medium body
- Low to medium carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium-light and smooth
- Best
- Medium-light body, smooth, low carbonation, soft finish
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Balance of malt and hop
- Drinkable depth
Drops it
- Too sweet
- Diacetyl above a trace
Writing tip
Say if malt or hop leads. Example: 'Biscuit and marmalade hop in balance, dry finish. A classic pub profile.'
Pour these
- London PrideFuller'sThe pub benchmark, toasty and marmalade
- LandlordTimothy TaylorFloral hop and biscuit, a drier finish
- Sussex Best BitterHarvey'sEarthy, firm and clean
Often confused with
- 11A Ordinary BitterOrdinary Bitter is lighter and lower in alcohol
- 11C Strong BitterStrong Bitter is bigger with more hop
Fine here
- Diacetyl: A faint buttery hint is traditional
- Estery: Light fruit is expected
Ruinous here
- Sour/Acidic: Infection
- Oxidized: Papery, stale
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.