What Is a Pint of Bitter: The Ultimate Guide to English Bitters

If you have been wondering what a pint of bitter stands for, you have come to the right place.

This is a traditional British Bitter beer, which is an English-style Pale Ale known for its slightly bitter taste and mild flavor.

This guide will tell you everything about English Bitter craft beer, so if you are ever in an authentic English bar and see someone order a Bitter, you’ll definitely know what it is.

What Is a Pint of Bitter?

A pint of bitter is a beer style called a cask-conditioned Draught Ale, which they just call “a pint of bitter” in England. Flavor-wise, it is stronger than a light Ale and has slightly mild levels of bitterness (lower than an IPA). It is more in line with classic Session Ales.

Everything About

No matter how much you enjoy a classic India Pale Ale, a Stout, or a stunning Guinness, if you are a fan of IBU-centric beers, then you would enjoy a classic British Bitter. This is the national drink of England, and Nottingham brewers take pride in their beers.

This was one of the most popular beers sold in UK pubs. If you are someone who enjoys low bitterness with high flavors, an English Bitter is for you. There are strong versions of Bitter Ales too, thanks to the ever-changing craft beer scene across the world.

– Characteristics of the English Bitter

Here is a quick table of the important characteristics of English Bitter.

– Various Beer Styles Under the British Bitter Beer

1. Session Bitter

Session beers are the ones with low alcohol content and a high refreshment factor. Their ABV is somewhere between 3.9 percent to 4.3 percent.

Session bitters are refreshing and extremely light to drink. They are slightly bitter on the taste buds too. This is the most famous and common style of English Bitter sold in the UK.

2. Light Bitter Ale

This one usually comes as a bottled beer. These are extremely low on alcohol content, mostly under 3.2 percent and are lighter than air.

3. Special Bitter

This sub-style has an ABV bracket of 4.2 percent to 4.8 percent. If you hear someone order a pint of best, meaning they have just ordered themselves a classic Special Bitter. This isn’t the strongest of Bitters, but it is one of the best Bitter beer styles.

4. Strong Bitter

Any Bitter with an ABV of above 4.8 percent comes under this category. Some brewers refer to this as an English Pale Ale. The balance between malt and hops is quite neat with some levels of bitterness.

– Brewing Tips

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for those who are planning to brew their own English Bitters.

• Malts

Use English malts to maintain the right character of the beer. This will form a good backbone and base of the beer. British malts are responsible for subtle biscuity flavors. They also give a nice mouthfeel.

• Hops

Use British hops as much as possible. Some good ones to use here are Fuggle, Golding, EKG and Northern Brewer. If you use American hops for any reason, make sure to limit the quantities, as you wouldn’t want your pint of bitter to go overboard with hop character.

• Water

It is a known fact that Trent and Burton water is what makes for a classic Bitter. If you live outside of these areas, it is best to get your water treated. One way to do this is to get a water mineral content analysis done. Another way is to use purified water and add minerals to it manually.

– Origin of the English Bitter

The English Bitter goes back to the 1600s, when coke was being used to malt grains. Before this, wood and peat were used to roast grains, which produced darker colored beers.

Around the 1900s, people preferred lighter beers to dark Porters, which created a high demand for this beer style.

After WWII, British Bitters became a premium product, a luxury beer that not everyone could afford. These beers have sub-types based on their ABV percent.

The Best English Brands

If you wonder what some of the best pint of Bitter brands are, this list is here to help.

Here are some examples of bitter beer you can try:

1. Boltmaker, Timothy Taylor’s Brewery

At four percent ABV, this is a genuine Yorkshire Bitter with a balance of hoppiness and maltiness. It was formerly known as Best Bitter.

2. Younger’s Special Bitter, Rogue Ales

At 4.8 percent ABV, this brew has the aroma of orange and some earthy notes. It is lightly hoppy and is a true Bitter in terms of taste.

3. London Pride, Fullers

At 4.7 percent ABV, this beer is brewed with home-grown hop varieties that include Target, Northdown and Goldings. Crystal malts are also used to bring depth and balance. It has flavors of biscuits and dried fruits.

4. Gates of the West, Notch Brewing

At 3.9 percent ABV, this beer has aromas of biscuit, light fruits and citrus. It tastes of cracker, honey and toasted malts.

5. Sussex Best Bitter, Harvey’s Brewer

At four percent ABV, this beer tastes of caramel, toasty edges and roasted malt flavor. It is medium-bodied and very smooth to drink.

6. Bluebird Bitter, Coniston Brewing Co. Ltd.

At 4.2 percent ABV, this is a Session Ale made with English Challenger hops and Marris Otter malt. It is full of warm and earthy characters.

Is American Bitter Beer the Same as an English Bitter?

No, American Bitters have a higher ABV content than their English counterparts. British beers are brewed and dispensed at cellar temperatures with a key focus on the flavor profile. American beers are dispensed at much lower temperatures and are usually hoppier.

Conclusion

Bitters and English pubs go hand in hand, as there isn’t a single pub in Britain that doesn’t serve a classic pint of Bitter. These beers are considered running beers and are meant to be enjoyed freshly brewed.

• Bitters are like English Pales, just higher in bitterness and milder in the flavor profile.
• These beers are best served at temperatures of 5 F to 55 F.
• Expert brewers suggest using British base ingredients to remain as close to its traditional taste as possible.

Now that you know everything about this classic beer style, would you be interested in grabbing one the next time you are in an English pub?