BJCP 2021 / 11C
Strong Bitter
A bold British pale ale with strong malt and a clear hop edge.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- british isles
Serve: 50 to 55F, Nonic pint or tulip
OG1.120
1.048 to 1.060FG1.030
1.010 to 1.016IBU120
30 to 50SRM40
8 to 18ABV14%
4.6 to 6.2%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Hop-forward: earthy, floral, marmalade
- Rich biscuit and caramel malt
- Fruity esters
- Vague
- Hoppy
- Better
- Marmalade hop and biscuit
- Best
- Moderate hop of earthy and marmalade character with moderate biscuit and caramel malt, light fruity ester
Appearance
3 pts- Gold to deep copper
- Brilliant to bright
- Off-white head
- Vague
- Copper
- Better
- Copper and bright
- Best
- Deep gold to copper, bright clarity, off-white head of moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Biscuit, toast and caramel with some dark fruit
- Strong earthy and floral hop flavor
- Firm bitterness with a dry finish
- Vague
- Hoppy
- Better
- Rich malt with firm hop
- Best
- Moderate-high biscuit and caramel malt, moderate hop flavor of earth and marmalade, firm bitterness, dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body
- Low to medium carbonation
- Slight warmth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, smooth
- Best
- Medium body, smooth with mild warmth, low to medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Balance at higher gravity
Drops it
- Syrupy finish
- Hot alcohol
Writing tip
Weigh richness against bitterness. Example: 'Toasty malt and marmalade hop with firm bitterness. Warm but not hot.'
Pour these
- ESBFuller'sRich orange marmalade and toasty malt
- BroadsideAdnamsFruity, rich and rounded
Often confused with
- 11B Best BitterBest Bitter is lower in gravity and less rich
- 12C English IPAEnglish IPA is hoppier and more bitter
Fine here
- Alcoholic: A light warmth is fine
- Estery: Fruit adds depth
Ruinous here
- Diacetyl: Butter becomes cloying at higher gravity
- Oxidized: Sherry notes are unwelcome here
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.