Is Amber Ale the new Best Bitter?
Discussion
I’ve been back in the UK over the Christmas period and noticed a lack of Best Bitter being sold. I’ve only been into a few pubs but seen no Best Bitter on tap. I’ve also been in the beer aisle in the super markets and seen beers such as Banks labelled as Amber Ale when I’m sure I remember them as Best Bitter.
So, to make Best Bitter sound more appealing has it been renamed as Amber Ale these days?
Btw, I’ve been staying along the south coast area for what that’s worth.
Having a good pint of bitter is one of my must do’s when I visit.
So, to make Best Bitter sound more appealing has it been renamed as Amber Ale these days?
Btw, I’ve been staying along the south coast area for what that’s worth.
Having a good pint of bitter is one of my must do’s when I visit.
I wouldn't say renamed, but 'Amber' and 'Gold' are quite common now and seem to be the premium beer offered by a brewery (so maybe is the new 'Best' in these cases), but Best is certainly visible on the pumps but might be from a different brewery who don't have a Amber or Gold alternative.
The other newish beers seemingly more common in pubs rather than beer festivals is Session bitter or IPA with a lower alcohol content.
The other newish beers seemingly more common in pubs rather than beer festivals is Session bitter or IPA with a lower alcohol content.
Not regional not anything, just terminology to my understanding.
Their was never a consistent category 'best bitter' could be put in across brewers, it was just whatever the brewer decided to call whatever as best bitter, but typically was i think pale ales with, low abv, dry finish, a session beer, but again not consistent across brewers, so difficult to say what they are called now. i may be talking bllx, but that was my understanding.
As the lexicon has changed around ale some have dropped out of fashion, ruby, golden, pale, amber etc, these are the current vogue words so stuff gets renamed.
Theakstons still do one which is nice.
in some other news Skinners have a buyer hopefully will stay true to the ethos.
Their was never a consistent category 'best bitter' could be put in across brewers, it was just whatever the brewer decided to call whatever as best bitter, but typically was i think pale ales with, low abv, dry finish, a session beer, but again not consistent across brewers, so difficult to say what they are called now. i may be talking bllx, but that was my understanding.
As the lexicon has changed around ale some have dropped out of fashion, ruby, golden, pale, amber etc, these are the current vogue words so stuff gets renamed.
Theakstons still do one which is nice.
in some other news Skinners have a buyer hopefully will stay true to the ethos.
SimonTheSailor said:
I think it's just the fact that best bitters aren't as popular as they once were.
IPAs have become very popular, craft ale scene has exploded.
It's now sold in bottles in supermarkets in a 3 for £5 offer ( and have to say some of it is still bloody good !)
but what is a best bitter?!IPAs have become very popular, craft ale scene has exploded.
It's now sold in bottles in supermarkets in a 3 for £5 offer ( and have to say some of it is still bloody good !)
pale ales etc are the same just different names is my understanding.
Now if we are talking Milds, thats a different colour horse completely...!
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff