BJCP 11A · British Bitter
Ordinary Bitter
The lightest English bitter: low alcohol, biscuity malt, earthy English hops and a pronounced bitterness. A pub beer for a long afternoon.
Ordinary Bitter by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 3.2 – 3.8%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 25 – 35 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 8 – 14 SRM16–28 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.030 – 1.039on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.007 – 1.011on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Ordinary Bitter is like
A light, flavorful ale with low alcohol and lots of character: biscuity malt, earthy or floral English hops and a bitterness that takes over the finish. Its low alcohol doesn't take away from its flavor; it's meant for drinking several pints at the pub.
Appearance
Light amber to light copper, with good clarity. Low to moderate white or cream head that may not last long because of the low carbonation.
Aroma
Biscuity or bready malt, sometimes with a touch of caramel, and earthy, floral or herbal English hops. Low to moderate fruity esters; very low diacetyl is possible.
Flavor
Medium to moderately high bitterness that clearly stands out over light biscuity malt and soft caramel. Earthy or herbal hops and a touch of fruit from the yeast. The finish is dry and bitter.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-light body. Low carbonation, though higher in bottles, and no warmth.
Where Ordinary Bitter comes from
Bitters appeared in the late 19th century as cask pale ales for the pub, served young and poured with a hand pump. Ordinary is the lighter everyday version, which became popular after the wars because of taxes on alcohol.
Ingredients
English pale malt, often Maris Otter, with some caramel malt. English hops like East Kent Goldings or Fuggles. A fruity English ale yeast and sulfate-rich water to accentuate the bitterness.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Ordinary Bitter at home
Ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) with an English yeast and let it finish completely before packaging. Carbonate low, around 1.5 volumes of CO₂, to get close to cask beer. The typical mistake is carbonating it like a lager or serving it ice-cold: it loses its nuances and comes across as watery.
Food pairing
Ideal with fish and chips, meat pie or cheddar cheese.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Adnams Southwold Bitter
- Brains Bitter
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Ordinary Bitter?
Between 3.2% and 3.8% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a low strength.
How bitter is Ordinary Bitter?
It has 25 to 35 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Ordinary Bitter?
Amber to copper: 8 to 14 SRM (16 to 28 EBC).
What food pairs well with Ordinary Bitter?
Ideal with fish and chips, meat pie or cheddar cheese.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Best Bitter and British Golden Ale.
If you like Ordinary Bitter, try these
Classification and statistics: official Ordinary Bitter guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.