English beers form a unique and exciting palette on the global beer map. Their traditions manifest not only in distinctive English beer styles but also in the unparalleled atmosphere of English pubs, which are as much a part of their national culture as afternoon tea. In this article, we’ll focus more on the beers themselves, exploring the fascinating origins of English brews and the most outstanding masterpieces they offer.

The popularity of English pubs and beers could be attributed to the frequent rainy weather in England, as there are few better remedies for bad weather than good company and excellent beers. However, the success lies not just in this. The long history of English brewing has given rise to remarkable styles that, on their own, have garnered thousands of fans worldwide. Additionally, since a significant portion of today’s modern craft beers evolved from English beer types, they can even be seen as the predecessors of craft beers.

A Brief History of English Beer

Examining the origins of English beers, we can conclude that we are dealing with long-standing traditions, where it’s not entirely clear when we can begin referring to what we now consider English beers. Many view British brewing as part of Celtic traditions; however, since hop usage in beers was not widespread at the time (with the first hop plantations in England established in the 15th century), this period is more accurately seen as a precursor to modern English beer.

What is certain is that active brewing in England dates back to its time as part of the Roman Empire, as written evidence of this exists to this day. Beer remained popular throughout the Middle Ages, so much so that it was consumed with almost every meal.

With the introduction of hopping, new horizons opened, leading to the development of true British delicacies such as the porter, which emerged in the early 18th century, and the India Pale Ale (IPA), which became known and highly popular in the early 19th century.

The Most Well-Known English Beer Styles

Even though basic beer styles have spread worldwide, each nation has developed its own distinctive traits and variations. The same goes for English beers: the styles that have become unique and popular are explicitly named in the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)   beer guide.

Bitter

The term “bitter” refers more to a category than a specific, well-defined beer style. While the word “bitter” signifies a bitter taste, when bitters emerged in the 19th century, the term was used in comparison to the beers known up to that point, rather than implying the strong bitterness it’s associated with today. This style is characterized by strong hop notes and malty flavors.

Bitter is brewed with pale (sometimes slightly roasted) malt, giving it sweet, caramel-like aromas balanced by the earthy bitterness of soft, less dominant English hops. Additionally, the yeast used imparts subtle fruity notes to the beer.

Its alcohol content typically ranges from 3.5% to 7%, with various strength levels having different names, such as Best Bitter, Special Bitter, Extra Special Bitter, Premium Bitter, and Extra Strong Bitter.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

With its legendary history, the heavily hopped, top-fermented IPA was originally brewed and shipped for British workers in the Indian colonies. Although the IPA has spread globally in numerous variations, the English IPA remains a distinct category among the most renowned beer styles.

The well-fermented, dry-finishing beer with high alcohol content and hop bitterness was first famously brewed by George Hodgson , whose IPA made at the Bow Brewery achieved great success. At the time, the style did not have a unique name; the term “India Pale Ale” was first used in 1835 by the British newspaper The Liverpool Mercury.

Porter

According to tradition, porter originally emerged as a blend of strong ale, pale, and mild, but it soon developed into an independent style. Some legends trace its origins to a London brewer named Harwood Ralph. The strong and rich porter became extremely popular among working porters, which is reflected in the beer’s name.

The moderately strong, dark brown ale is made unique by its roasted malt character and coffee, chocolate-caramel aromas. The English porter is typically softer and sweeter than its American counterparts, with a lower alcohol content. It has spread in several variations, including brown porter, robust porter, and baltic porter.

Stout

Evolving from the English porter, this style is somewhat stronger and drier, with more dominant hop aromas. Unlike porters, stouts are particularly characterized by roasted malt flavor notes. Over time, various versions have developed, leading to other popular and exciting types such as Irish Extra Stout, Sweet Stout, and Oatmeal Stout.

Mild

The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)  beer guide refers to dark mild beer as a “dark, low-gravity, malt-accented British session beer.” This style is characterized by its dominant malt notes and is brewed with moderate roasting. In the modern sense, mild beer is less bitter than a bitter and has a lower alcohol content.

Old ale

English-style old ales are aged for longer periods than average, sometimes for several years, which is the origin of their name. Their flavor profile includes fruity, estery, and raisin notes, and their color ranges from dark amber to deep brown. Their alcohol content is typically high, ranging from 6% to 12%.

Characteristics of English Beers and Beer Culture

Given the broad spectrum of English beers, their commonality doesn’t necessarily stem from their appearance or most distinctive aromas. Rather, it is the traditions and enduring customs that form the foundation of English beer culture as a whole.

The interests of beer drinkers and pub-goers are represented by a specific consumer rights organization, CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)while the protection of breweries is served by a separate organization, SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers).

 English beers consistently shine at the World Beer Awards, winning various accolades across numerous categories year after year.

English Beers in the Local Lineup

The well-defined characteristics and unique flavors of English beer styles have also inspired local breweries, resulting in excellent offerings in the lineup of domestic producers.

• It is rare for a beer from  Szent András Brewery not to rank among the front runners in local competitions, and the same holds true for their English-style beers. Their oatmeal stout, Alfa 14, brewed with Ugandan vanilla and tonka beans, is particularly noteworthy. The sweet spices further soften the smoothness derived from the oats, resulting in an incredibly pleasant and refreshing beer.

• For those with a more combative spirit, we recommend their Hathárom, a beer crafted to make a statement to the English in the sphere of brewing, reminiscent of the legendary football match at Wembley Stadium. This light, malt-forward English porter with a biscuity flavor remains undefeated in our books.

• The Horizont Brewery Morning Joe is a striking masterpiece. This stout, brewed with coffee and cacao beans, is made even smoother by the addition of oats, which, according to its description, makes it as silky as a true cappuccino. It almost makes you want to start your morning with it instead of your usual coffee. 🙂 One thing is certain: no matter when you enjoy it, you won’t be disappointed by its exciting flavors.

• Fehér Nyúl’s Chococo Dreams, an Imperial Pastry Stout, tantalizes beer enthusiasts seeking unique experiences with the promise of a true flavor extravaganza. Infused with chocolate and coconut, this beer might evoke the illusion of an innocent, light dessert brew. However, the “Imperial” label hints at its formidable strength, boasting an 8.6% alcohol content, so proceed with caution. 🙂

English beers preserve their glorious past not only in their flavors but also in their traditions, still carrying some of the unique atmosphere reflected in English pubs.

At Élesztő, we’re committed to ensuring you can experience all of this: we guarantee that with our excellent beers and dishes, you’ll find refreshment not only on rainy days but even on the brighter ones!