Malt aroma & flavor
Low to medium residual malt sweetness should be present
British Origin Ale Styles
Ordinary Bitter
Ale · Gold to copper-colored
What to expect
Low to medium malt sweetness, restrained hop aroma and flavor, and medium perceived bitterness. Fruity esters are acceptable, with a low to medium body.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
5–12
Pale / strawBlack
Gold to copper-colored · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.0–4.2%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–35
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 1 · PDF page 10. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low to medium-low
Perceived bitterness
Medium
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium
Clarity
Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures
Color
Gold to copper-colored
Fermentation characteristics
Mild carbonation traditionally characterizes draft-cask versions, but in bottled versions, a slight increase in carbon dioxide content is acceptable. Fruity esters are acceptable. Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at low levels.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, competition organizers may choose to create subcategories which reflect English and American hop character.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.033-1.038 (8.3-9.5 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.006- 1.012 (1.5-3.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.4%-3.3% (3.0%-4.2%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-35 • Color SRM (EBC) 5-12 (10-24 EBC)