Best Bitter & Ale of 2025
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Bitter and ale are two classic beer styles that have been enjoyed for centuries. Bitter is a British beer style that is known for its hoppy flavour and dry finish, while ale is a broader category that includes many different styles, such as pale ale, brown ale, and stout. These beers are typically brewed with traditional ingredients like malted barley, hops, and yeast, and are often served at room temperature. If you're a beer lover looking to try something new, we highly recommend giving bitter and ale a try.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
#TOP 1
9.8
#TOP 2
9.7
#TOP 3
9.5
Top 10 Bitter & Ale
Guinness Draught 0.0 Alcohol Free Stout
Guinness 0.0 Stout is an alcohol-free option that retains the smooth, dark taste of traditional Guinness. You can enjoy the unique flavour, which melds sweet malt, bitter hops, and roasted barley, along with hints of coffee and chocolate aromas. This makes it perfect for any occasion, whether you’re having it with food or simply enjoying it with friends. Its rich history and quality brewing ensure that you don't have to sacrifice flavour for a refreshing drink in the summer sunshine.
BrewDog Mixed Alcohol Free Beer Pack
The BrewDog Alcohol Free Pack offers a delightful selection of their flagship non-alcoholic beers, including Punk IPA, Nanny State, Hazy Jane, and Elvis Juice. With two of each in the pack, you can enjoy a full range of flavours without the alcohol. Each can is under 50 calories, making it a guilt-free choice for those mindful of their diet. BrewDog is also committed to sustainability, removing twice as much carbon from the atmosphere as they emit. This mix of great taste and eco-consciousness makes it a fantastic option for any occasion.
Guinness Draught Nitrosurge Stout Beer Cans
The Guinness Nitrosurge Cans offer an innovative way to enjoy a perfectly poured pint at home. With simple usage, these cans work seamlessly with the NITROSURGE device, allowing you to replicate the craft of draught beer with ease. The ultrasonic technology ensures a beautifully smooth experience, bringing the iconic Guinness surge to your fingertips. You can take control of your pour, crafting a perfectly domed pint wherever you choose, making it ideal for enjoying in the sunshine.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei Cans for Athletes
Erdinger Alkoholfrei is a delightful, full-bodied drink that contains Folic acid and vitamin B12. These ingredients help to reduce fatigue and support your immune system, making it an excellent choice for recovery after exercise. Brewed in Bavaria by the family-owned Erdinger Weissbrau, this beverage is low in calories, perfect for those looking to hydrate post-sport. Enjoying this refreshing drink not only quenches your thirst but also promotes energy-yielding metabolism, making it an ideal companion for active individuals.
Fuller's London Pride Amber Ale, 8 x 500ml
Fuller's London Pride is an iconic amber ale brewed in London. It boasts a rich, distinctive base of British malt, providing a robust foundation for the flavours. The diverse blend of hops, including Target, Goldings, Challenger, and Northdown, ensures a vibrant and balanced taste, enhancing your drinking experience. With its all-British hop varieties, Concerto and Propino, this ale delivers a unique depth and character that will impress you with every sip. Enjoy the essence of London in a bottle with this outstanding beer.
Hobsons Premium Craft Mixed Beers Gift Set
The Hobsons Beer Gift Set is an excellent choice for any beer enthusiast. It features a delightful selection of six 500ml bottles, showcasing Hobsons' most popular ales. This set includes a variety of flavours, from crisp golden ales to rich auburn ales, making it a perfect introduction to the brewery's range. The beers are authentically brewed in Shropshire and are bottle-conditioned, enhancing their taste and carbonation. The stylish packaging ensures your gift arrives safely and looks great, adding a special touch to any occasion.
Leffe Blonde Belgian Abbey Beer 12 x 330 ml
Leffe Blonde Beer comes in a convenient pack of 12 x 330ml bottles, making it ideal for sharing with friends or family. With an ABV of 6 percent, this smooth and fruity Belgian Abbey style beer offers a delightful drinking experience. Its golden colour and spicy aftertaste, complemented by a hint of bitter orange, make it a perfect aperitif. You will enjoy it even more when paired with various dishes, especially red meat and cheeses like Brie and Camembert, served at an optimal temperature of 5-6°C.
Birra Moretti Premium Italian Lager Beer
Birra Moretti Beer is a premium Italian lager that offers a delightful drinking experience. With a special blend of quality hops, it delivers a well-balanced taste, featuring hoppy and fruity notes. The moderate bitterness and clean aftertaste make it an excellent choice for any occasion. You will find that it pairs perfectly with food, especially a delicious pasta dish, enhancing your dining experience. This lager contains barley and has an alcohol by volume of 4.6%, making it a refreshing choice.
Leffe Blonde 0.0% Alcohol-Free Ale Pack
Leffe Blonde 0.0% is the first alcohol-free beer from the renowned Leffe brand. It offers a well-balanced body with fruity notes and a hint of bitterness, making it a delightful choice for those who enjoy complex flavours. The unique combination of clove, vanilla, and smoky hints adds depth to your drinking experience. With 12 x 330ml bottles, this pack is perfect for sharing or gifting to fellow beer enthusiasts, allowing you to enjoy a quality craft beer without the alcohol.
Camden Town Brewery Pale Ale 12x330ml Cans
The Camden Pale Ale is crafted with British tastes in mind, making it a more approachable choice for those who prefer a less intense flavour. With an alcohol content of 4 percent, it is easy to drink while still delivering the hoppy and fruity characteristics typical of a pale ale. The use of American hops ensures that you still experience a satisfying punch without it being overly bold. For the best experience, store it in a cool, dark place to maintain its freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is bitter and ale the same thing?
Bitter is a pale ale and the more pronounced taste of hops distinguishes it from more mild ales—hence the name. Less astringent brews could be ordered as a mild, used as a noun in British English meaning “mild ale or beer.” In the mid-19th century, an idiom in British English for drinking beer was “to do bitters.”
2. Why is ale called bitter?
Because generally in the 19th century brewers called the drink in the brewery “pale ale”, and that's the name they put on their bottle labels, but in the pub drinkers called this new drink “bitter”, to differentiate it from the older, sweeter, but still (then) pale mild ales.
3. Is Bitter beer an ale?
Bitter is an English style of pale ale that varies in colour from gold to dark amber, and in strength typically from 3% to 5.5% alcohol by volume.
4. Is bitter an ale or lager?
Historically, 'Bitter' was the retail/pub nickname for what brewers called Pale Ale. The pale part referred to the colour of the base malt rather than the finished beer. Lager's name comes from it being a stored or aged beer, that is, one that has undergone a lagering process.
During our bitter & ale research, we found 306 bitter & ale products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 21,342 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bitter & ale list. We found that most customers choose bitter & ale with an average price of £16.03.
The bitter & ale are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bitter & ale, including Guinness, BrewDog, Erdinger, Fullers, Hobsons.
Kiera Browne served as chef and caterer in Purslane Restaurant for three years before establishing her restaurant. Kiera now owns two restaurants and a culinary school all over the United Kingdom. Kiera has featured in magazines and editorials, providing recipes for various dishes. Using her skills and knowledge in the culinary field, Kiera has published few pamphlets on preparing various cuisines.