Bitter is a type of ale, originally derived from pale ale. A stronger version has become a popular bottled beer. The main ingredient is malted barley, with hops only added to improve the keeping properties and give a distinctive smell and taste.
Bitter covers a wide variety of taste, aroma and appearance. These include copper, malty, dry and sweet, while some have the aroma of hops. In Yorkshire, England, the bitter tends to have a creamy head whilst in the South-East the beer is generally more hoppy and served without a head.
Brewers in England include:
- Adnams
- Arkells
- Bank's
- Brakspears
- Eldridge Pope
- Fullers of Chiswick, London
- Gales Ales
- Hall and Woodhouse
- Harvey's of Lewes, East Sussex.
- Mansfield Brewery
- Marstons
- Shepherd Neame - allegedly Britain's oldest brewery
- Ringwood Brewery
- Samuel Smiths
- Whitbreads including Brickwoods and many others
- Youngs of Wandsworth, London
Several popular Australian lagers are erroneously branded "bitter" (notably Victoria Bitter) to the derision of visiting Britons.