Buy English Bitter Online at Barrel & Batch

English Bitter is a traditional beer style originating from the UK, known for its balanced malt and hop profile, with moderate bitterness and a slightly dry finish. It’s a classic pub favourite that offers easy-drinking characteristics with a depth of flavour. Whether enjoyed at a local pub or at home, English Bitter is the perfect choice for those who appreciate a well-rounded, full-flavoured ale. At Barrel & Batch, we offer a selection of premium English Bitters from top breweries, ensuring that you get to enjoy the best of this timeless beer style.

With fast delivery across Australia, shopping for English Bitter online at Barrel & Batch is convenient and effortless. Discover your next favourite bitter and enjoy the rich history and tradition behind this classic British beer.

What Is English Bitter?

English Bitter is a style of pale ale that traditionally has a moderate alcohol content, typically ranging from 3.5% to 5.5% ABV. It’s known for its balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, with subtle fruit and caramel notes. Unlike many modern craft beers, English Bitter focuses on drinkability and balance rather than extreme flavours. The term "bitter" comes from the slight bitterness provided by the hops, though it’s far from the overpowering bitterness found in some modern IPAs.

How English Bitter Is Made: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Malt Selection: English Bitter typically uses pale malt as the base, providing a light, bready sweetness. Additional malts such as crystal or caramel malts are often used to add depth and colour.
• Mashing: The malts are mixed with hot water to extract sugars, which will later be fermented into alcohol.
• Boiling & Hopping: The wort (liquid extracted from the mash) is boiled, and hops are added. English bitters often use traditional English hop varieties like Fuggles and East Kent Goldings, which provide a mild bitterness and earthy, floral aromas.
• Fermentation: The wort is cooled, and yeast is added to ferment the sugars into alcohol. English bitters are usually fermented with ale yeast strains, contributing fruity and slightly spicy notes to the beer.
• Conditioning: The beer is conditioned for a period to allow the flavours to mature and meld together. This can be done in cask or bottle.
• Bottling: After conditioning, the beer is bottled or kegged, ready for consumption.

Types of English Bitter at Barrel & Batch

• Ordinary Bitter: The lightest of the bitters, with a lower ABV (around 3-4%), making it an ideal session beer. Ordinary bitters are known for their drinkability and balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
• Best Bitter: Slightly stronger than ordinary bitters, with an ABV ranging from 4-5%. Best bitters often have a more pronounced malt character, with caramel and fruit notes complementing the moderate bitterness.
• Strong Bitter (ESB): Also known as Extra Special Bitter, ESB has a higher ABV (around 5-6%) and more intense flavours. It’s richer in malt, with complex fruit, caramel, and toffee notes balanced by a solid hop bitterness.

Our English Bitter Selection

At Barrel & Batch, we offer a premium selection of English Bitters from top breweries. Here are some of our standout options:

• Newcastle Brown Ale 330ml: A classic English bitter with a smooth, slightly sweet malt profile and a nutty finish, perfect for any occasion.
• St. Bernardus Prior 8 330ml: A traditional Belgian-style dark ale with fruity, malty complexity, offering a balanced sweetness and light bitterness.
• Gouden Carolus Classic Dark Strong Ale 330ml: A robust dark ale with rich flavours of toffee, dark fruit, and spice, making it an excellent choice for lovers of dark and bitter ales.
• Gulden Draak Classic Dark Red Tripel 330ml: A strong, dark tripel with bold, sweet malt flavours balanced by subtle hop bitterness, perfect for those who enjoy a heavier, more intense ale.
• St. Bernardus ABT 12 Quadrupel 330ml: A complex and rich quadrupel with layers of dark fruit, caramel, and a touch of spice, offering a long and satisfying finish.
• Boatrocker Stout XX 375ml: A bold Australian stout with deep roasted malt flavours and a balanced bitterness, making it a standout in the dark beer category.
• Moo Brew Pilsner 330ml: Although a pilsner, its crisp, hoppy profile provides a delightful contrast for those who appreciate the balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
• Flowstate Brewers and Distillers Highball Spicy Ginger Beer 330ml: A refreshing ginger beer with a spicy kick, perfect for adding variety to your beer collection.
• Aether Brewing Blackberry Sour 375ml: A tart and fruity sour beer that balances sweetness and bitterness with bold blackberry flavours.
• Jetty Road Lager 375ml: A classic lager with a clean, crisp finish and subtle hop bitterness, making it a great session beer for casual sipping.
• Hoegaarden Grand Cru 330ml: A full-bodied, slightly sweet Belgian ale with hints of spice and a light hop finish, offering a unique and satisfying drinking experience.
• White Bay Czech Pilsner 375ml: A traditional Czech pilsner with a smooth, refreshing character and a gentle bitterness that complements its malty base.
• Boatrocker Pilsner 375ml: A clean, crisp pilsner with a balanced bitterness and refreshing hop character, perfect for those who enjoy a lighter beer style.
• Akasha Brewing Big Bold Ben Barrel Aged Port Cask 375ml: A strong, dark beer with deep, rich flavours enhanced by aging in port casks, offering a unique and intense drinking experience.
• Echigo Koshihikari Rice Lager 500ml: A Japanese rice lager with a smooth, delicate flavour profile, offering a subtle sweetness and crisp finish.

English Bitter for Every Occasion

English Bitter’s approachable and well-balanced profile makes it a versatile choice for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering with friends, enjoying a barbecue, or relaxing at home, English Bitter is a great option for those who appreciate traditional beer styles. Its lower ABV and balanced flavours make it perfect for long drinking sessions without overwhelming the palate.

Food Pairings for English Bitter

English Bitter’s balanced profile allows it to pair well with a wide variety of foods. Here are some suggested pairings:

• Roast Meats: The malt sweetness and light bitterness of English Bitter complement the savoury flavours of roast beef, lamb, or pork.
• Fish & Chips: A classic British pairing, the bitterness of the beer cuts through the richness of the fried fish, while the malt complements the batter.
• Cheddar Cheese: The creamy texture and sharp flavour of mature cheddar pair beautifully with the malt sweetness and moderate bitterness of English Bitter.
• Pies: Enjoy a meat pie or a vegetable pasty with a pint of bitter for a hearty and satisfying combination.

How to Choose the Perfect English Bitter for You

When selecting the right English Bitter, consider your taste preferences and the occasion:

• For Lighter, Sessionable Beers: If you’re looking for something easy-drinking and lower in alcohol, go for an Ordinary Bitter like Greene King IPA or Young’s Bitter.
• For More Malt Complexity: If you enjoy a richer, malt-forward beer, choose a Best Bitter like Fuller’s ESB or Adnams Southwold Bitter.
• For a Stronger, More Intense Experience: If you want a beer with more depth and a higher ABV, try a Strong Bitter (ESB) like Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.

Sustainability in English Bitter Production

Many traditional breweries are embracing sustainable practices in their brewing processes, focusing on reducing energy use, minimising waste, and supporting local farmers. Brands like Fuller’s and Adnams are known for their commitment to environmental sustainability, using eco-friendly production methods and sourcing local ingredients wherever possible. When you choose English Bitters from these breweries, you’re supporting ethical brewing practices that benefit the environment.

Shop Premium English Bitters at Barrel & Batch

At Barrel & Batch, we offer a carefully curated selection of premium English Bitters from renowned breweries, ensuring that you can enjoy the best examples of this classic beer style. With fast and reliable delivery across Australia—including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide—you can have the finest English Bitters delivered straight to your door.

Order now and explore the best English Bitters at Barrel & Batch, where we bring the world’s finest beers to your home.