8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter (BJCP 2008)


Description

A flavorful, yet refreshing, session beer. Some examples can be more malt balanced, but this should not override the overall bitter impression. Drinkability is a critical component of the style; emphasis is still on the bittering hop addition as opposed to the aggressive middle and late hopping seen in American ales. Originally a draught ale served very fresh under no pressure (gravity or hand pump only) at cellar temperatures (i.e.,


Profile

Aroma: The best examples have some malt aroma, often (but not always) with a caramel quality. Mild to moderate fruitiness. Hop aroma can range from moderate to none (UK varieties typically, although US varieties may be used). Generally no diacetyl, although very low levels are allowed.
Appearance: Medium gold to medium copper. Good to brilliant clarity. Low to moderate white to off-white head. May have very little head due to low carbonation.
Flavor: Medium to high bitterness. Most have moderately low to moderately high fruity esters. Moderate to low hop flavor (earthy, resiny, and/or floral UK varieties typically, although US varieties may be used). Low to medium maltiness with a dry finish. Caramel flavors are common but not required. Balance is often decidedly bitter, although the bitterness should not completely overpower the malt flavor, esters and hop flavor. Generally no diacetyl, although very low levels are allowed.
Mouthfeel: Medium-light to medium body. Carbonation low, although bottled and canned commercial examples can have moderate carbonation.


Ingredients

Pale ale, amber, and/or crystal malts, may use a touch of black malt for color adjustment. May use sugar adjuncts, corn or wheat. English hops most typical, although American and European varieties are becoming more common (particularly in the paler examples). Characterful English yeast. Often medium sulfate water is used.


Examples

Fuller's London Pride, Coniston Bluebird Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Adnams SSB, Young


Ranges

Data Min. Max.
Original gravity 1.040 1.048
Final gravity 1.008 1.012
Bitterness 25.0 IBU 40.0 IBU
Color 9.8 EBC 31.5 EBC
Alcohol 3.80 ° 4.60 °


Recipes on Zython (20)

Orbiter v6.4
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.3% 22 IBU 550.0 l enso
19/04/2024
Orbiter v6.3 – 2024-03-23
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.7% 19 IBU 535.0 l enso
16/03/2024
Orbiter v6.2 – 2023-08-10
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.9% 34 IBU 545.0 l enso
09/08/2023
INVINCIBLE
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.5% 43 IBU 51.0 l enso
05/03/2020
Orbiter v6.0
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
3.8% 29 IBU 65.0 l enso
21/01/2020
Orbiter v6.1
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.2% 40 IBU 1200.0 l enso
22/12/2019
Orbiter v5
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.3% 26 IBU 26.0 l enso
23/05/2019
Orbiter v4
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.3% 29 IBU 26.0 l enso
25/03/2019
Orbiter v3
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.0% 34 IBU 26.0 l enso
01/03/2019
British Ale
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
5.9% 26 IBU 5.5 l dalkun
02/12/2018
British Ale
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
5.9% 26 IBU 5.5 l LJ
23/11/2018
Il y a du speed dans la bibliothèque
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.2% 25 IBU 180.0 l enso
25/02/2018
blonde ale
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.7% 0 IBU 20.0 l chavichavo
20/10/2017
Orbiter v3
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.7% 45 IBU 23.0 l Bierhexen
03/06/2017
Orbiter v2
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.7% 34 IBU 23.0 l enso
01/03/2017
Bartleby
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
5.8% 51 IBU 4.0 l Stef49
13/01/2017
Out of Orbit
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.0% 28 IBU 80.0 l enso
20/09/2016
Je suis une 4.1
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.2% 31 IBU 45.0 l martyn
17/09/2015
Bartleby
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
5.8% 51 IBU 4.0 l spenali
06/07/2014
Piper Tower
All grain- 8.B - Special/Best/Premium Bitter
4.2% 35 IBU 28.0 l lolo
12/06/2012


Styles in the same category