# Bitters. It's Beer, Yes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [May 13, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897 "2007-05-13T02:58:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/1 "2007-05-13T02:58:46Z")
A British friend just returned from visit home to London. He brought me back a couple cans of Caffrey’s, which you can’t get here. Good stuff. The can is clearly marked “beer,” but my friend was referring to it as “bitters.” There are bitters here. Victoria Bitter from Australia can be found fairly easily, and The Londoner brew pub actually brews a tasty bitters here in Bangkok on its premises. But what IS bitters, and what makes it different from beer? And ale and stout? I know it’s stout if it’s blacker than a witch’s butt at midnight, so that one’s easy. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/2 "2007-05-13T03:04:45Z")
My understanding is that bitters is specifically another name for a Pale Ale. Jim ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/3 "2007-05-13T03:06:06Z")
**Bitter** is a particular style of beer. According to Jackson: _English term for a well-hopped ale, most often on draught. Although examples vary widely, the name implies a depth of hop bitterness. There is usually some acidity in the finish and colour vanes from bronze to deep copper. Basic bitters usually have an alcohol content of around 3.75-4 percent by volume, “Best” or “Special” bitters come in at 4.4 - 7.5, the odd “Extra Special” at about 5.5._ ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/4 "2007-05-13T03:07:58Z")
[Bitter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_%28beer%29) [Ale](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ale) [Stout](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stout) They’re all just specific kinds of beer. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/5 "2007-05-13T03:10:21Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] **Bitter** is a particular style of beer. According to Jackson: _English term for a well-hopped ale, most often on draught. Although examples vary widely, the name implies a depth of hop bitterness. There is usually some acidity in the finish and colour vanes from bronze to deep copper. Basic bitters usually have an alcohol content of around 3.75-4 percent by volume, “Best” or “Special” bitters come in at 4.4 - 7.5, the odd “Extra Special” at about 5.5._ [/QUOTE] What would be some examples of a bitters then? It sounds like my understanding was too simple. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/6 "2007-05-13T03:12:13Z")
As loathe as I am to reference another site… [Bitter.](http://www.answers.com/topic/bitter-beer) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/7 "2007-05-13T03:23:12Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] As loathe as I am to reference another site… [Bitter.](http://www.answers.com/topic/bitter-beer) [/QUOTE] I was drinking a [Saranac Pale Ale](http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/saranac-pale-ale/544/) today, I would have thought the Brits would consider that a Bitter. I think it would qualify. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/8 "2007-05-13T03:29:04Z")
Just to point out, it’s actually just a “bitter”. In case you ever want to order one in a pub, you’ll be wanting a pint of bitter, not a pint of bitters (well, probably you’ll say “a pint of _brand_” but you get the idea). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/9 "2007-05-13T03:31:11Z")
[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] Just to point out, it’s actually just a “bitter”. In case you ever want to order one in a pub, you’ll be wanting a pint of bitter, not a pint of bitters (well, probably you’ll say “a pint of _brand_” but you get the idea). [/QUOTE] Could you list a few brands please. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/10 "2007-05-13T03:32:46Z")
Ah, bitter. Right. I saw some websites calling it “bitters.” So is Caffrey’s a bitter like my friend said, and if so, why doesn’t it say it on the can? ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/11 "2007-05-13T03:54:49Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] My understanding is that bitters is specifically another name for a Pale Ale. Jim [/QUOTE] But an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) is different. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/12 "2007-05-13T05:14:08Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Could you list a few brands please. [/QUOTE] Off the top of my head, [John Smith’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smith%27s). According to Wikipedia it’s the most popular bitter over here, which doesn’t surprise me. I’m afraid I usually have either that or lager, so I can’t remember any other specific brands. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/13 "2007-05-13T06:00:56Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] **Bitter** is a particular style of beer. [/QUOTE] **Bitters** , on the other hand, is a mixer. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/14 "2007-05-13T06:54:25Z")
Ah ha! So there’s bitter and there’s bitters. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/15 "2007-05-13T07:29:51Z")
FWIW: Angostura Bitters is the only product that I know of that is referrred to as “Bitters” This was developed by Dr.Johann Seigert in 1824 and was primarly used a cure for fevers and stomach disorders and the general relief of patients Dr.Seigert was in Venezuela when he first concocted the product which is now used to flavour enhance meals, mostly Caribbean. The above from Wiki. It was thought that a small bottle of Bitters would help to alleviate the nausea felt by overindulging in alcohol and indeed at one time it was sold in public houses in the UK, I have no idea if it worked or not. So far as the various types of beers are concerned we, in the UK, refer to them as- bitter, mild, lager, stout etc.etc., the word bitters would only be used if you were asking a pub landlord " “What kind of bitters you got mate?” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/16 "2007-05-13T12:03:05Z")
I see. That would be the plural of “bitter,” not asking about bitters the mix. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/17 "2007-05-13T12:13:17Z")
[QUOTE=Biffy the Elephant Shrew] **Bitters** , on the other hand, is a mixer. [/QUOTE] That’s the stuff I drip onto a lime when I get the hiccups. Works every time. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/18 "2007-05-13T12:28:16Z")
Caffreys is an Irish ale. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/19 "2007-05-13T12:33:57Z")
[QUOTE=Subterraneanus] But an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) is different. [/QUOTE] I have only ever tried the Saranac **IPA** , it is not as good as the pale ale to me. [QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] Off the top of my head, [John Smith’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smith%27s). According to Wikipedia it’s the most popular bitter over here, which doesn’t surprise me. I’m afraid I usually have either that or lager, so I can’t remember any other specific brands. [/QUOTE] Thanks, I think that was one I drank a lot of, when I was in Scotland and the Lake Counties. If so, I remember it fondly. Back then I drank a lot of Molson’s and similar ales and the English Pale Ale was a wonderful change. Jim ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897/20 "2007-05-13T15:01:09Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Ah, bitter. Right. I saw some websites calling it “bitters.” So is Caffrey’s a bitter like my friend said, and if so, why doesn’t it say it on the can? [/QUOTE] The words are used with flexibility. Order a ‘pint of beer’ in a pub and expect to be asked ‘lager or bitter?’. There might also be a trade descriptions/food labelling legal reason for using the word ‘beer’ on the can. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitters-its-beer-yes/403897.md?page=2)