Malt aroma & flavor
Medium residual malt sweetness should be present
British Origin Ale Styles
Special Bitter or Best Bitter
Ale · Deep gold to deep copper
What to expect
Malt character: Medium residual malt sweetness should be present. Hop character: Very low to medium at the brewer's discretion.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
6–14
Pale / strawBlack
Deep gold to deep copper · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.2–4.8%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
28–40
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 at the brewer's discretion
Perceived bitterness
Medium and not harsh
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Deep gold to deep copper
Fermentation characteristics
Low 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) 1.038-1.045 (9.5-11.2 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.006-1.012 (1.5-3.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.3%-3.8% (4.2%-4.8%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 28-40 • Color SRM (EBC) 6-14 (12-28 EBC)