Best Bitter is a British beer style in the middle of the British bitter spectrum, usually between 3.5% and 4% alcohol. Bitterness is a broad term applied to a very well hopped pale ale. Typically, these English bitters have an alcohol content of between 3.5% and 7%.
A long history of beer in Great Britain
Britain has always been interested in beer. By 43 AD, the Romans had conquered most of Britain. Around 100 A.D., historical accounts from Vindolanda, a Roman fort in present-day Northumbria, allude to Atrectus the brewer, the first named brewer in British history.
Around 500 AD, the Angles and Saxons arrived in Britain to conquer and settle. Their social life revolved around breweries and beer houses. Brewing was generally carried out by women, using their domestic tools to boil, brew and ferment among their other domestic chores throughout their busy days. Beer was consumed for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as many people considered drinking water dangerous.
The style profile of Best Bitter
Best Bitter has a pale amber to medium copper color. It offers bright to good clarity. Its head is white to off-white, with low to moderate retention. Carbonation is low, resulting in low foam retention.
In terms of aroma, there is a light to moderate malt aroma, as well as a light to medium caramel aroma. Notes of bread, cookie or light toast are also very common in this style. Slightly to moderately fruity. Hop aroma can vary from moderate to non-existent. Hop aromas may be floral, earthy, resinous and/or fruity. Diacetyl is generally not detected, but a small amount is permitted.
In terms of mouthfeel, Best Bitter has a medium-light to medium body and low carbonation. Taste: medium to moderately high bitterness. Malt flavors are weak to moderate, with a very dry finish. The malty profile is characterized by notes of bread, cookie or light toast. Mild to moderate caramel or toffee flavors can also be observed.
Food and beer pairings
The slightly sweet caramel notes of Best Bitter beer go well with English cheddar. Traditionally, a classic Fish and Chips goes wonderfully well with fish paste. The beer’s sweet, caramelized characteristics add a nice contrast to the malt vinegar usually used in this dish. Roast chicken or duck are also good choices to accompany this beer.
Brewing the finest Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
Extra Special Bitter, also known as ESB, is a British beer style that’s a notch above Best Bitter in terms of strength and flavor. ESB is often described as an amber beer, well hopped and balanced, with a more pronounced bitterness than Best Bitter.
History of BSE
The history of English bitters dates back to the development of coke around 1642. In the past, malts were roasted using wood and peat, which inevitably gave the malt a smoky character and a dark color. The new fuel has made it possible to create lighter malts, both in terms of color and character, without the dreaded smoky taste.
Extra Special Bitter style profile
The appearance of ESB is similar to that of Best Bitter, with a pale amber to medium copper color and bright to good clarity. Malt aroma is weak to moderate, with low to medium caramel notes. There are also flavors of bread, cookie or light toast, characteristic of this style. Hop aromas can range from medium-low to medium-high. Hop aromas may be floral, earthy, resinous and/or fruity. Generally, no diacetyl is detected, but some style versions may show faint notes of sulfur and/or alcohol.
The mouthfeel of ESB is similar to that of Best Bitter, with medium-light to medium body and low carbonation. Taste is characterized by medium to high bitterness, moderately low to moderately high fruity esters, and moderate hop flavor, generally earthy, resinous, fruity and/or floral. Malt flavors are weak to medium, with a very dry finish. Malt profiles include notes of bread, cookie or light toast, and mild to moderate caramel or toffee flavors may also be present.
Food and beer pairings
The toasty, slightly sweet characteristics of ESB go well with English cheddar, but they can also be accompanied by richer, more flavorful dishes such as roast beef or steak. Grilled or roasted meats, as well as game dishes, can be good choices to accompany this beer. Roast chicken or duck dishes with a rich sauce can also be delicious pairings.
Conclusion
English bitters, whether Best Bitter or Extra Special Bitter, are iconic British beer styles. They offer complex, balanced flavours and a distinctive bitterness. Whether you choose to brew your own beer or enjoy it in a pub, English bitters are beers that can be enjoyed by all beer lovers.
Feel free to explore the different variations of these styles and enjoy them with corresponding dishes for a complete taste experience. Whether you prefer the light and refreshing Best Bitter or the more robust and intense ESB, these British beers will satisfy your palate.
To brew your own English bitters, you can find complete recipes online, such as those available from Homebrew Academy and Brewer’s Friend.
Don’t forget to taste these beers in moderation, and enjoy them as part of a convivial experience with friends and family.
If you’d like to discover breweries that emphasize the creative use of yeast in their beers, check out the following sites:
- Brasseur Paris: A renowned craft brewery that emphasizes the use of different yeast strains to create unique flavors in their beers.
- Les Brasseurs Parisiens: A Paris-based craft brewery that also explores the possibilities offered by different yeast strains to create distinct flavor profiles.
To find out more about the importance of yeast in beer brewing and its role in creating exciting new flavors, read ECBière‘s article. This article offers an interesting insight into this often underestimated aspect of craft beer.
Feel free to explore these links to learn more about the impact of yeast in craft beer and discover the breweries that emphasize its role in creating unique flavors.
