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Xtra Special Bitter ESB
Xtra Special Bitter ESB
Xtra Special Bitter ESB
Xtra Special Bitter ESB
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Xtra Special Bitter ESB

Xtra Special Bitter ESB

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
11 Reviews

SKU: 26285

$39.85
$39.85 $39.85

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Xtra Special Bitter is a classic pub-style ale with a smooth balance of malt richness and hop bitterness. It’s flavorful without being heavy, bitter without being harsh, and easy enough to enjoy year-round.

  • Balanced malt character from Crystal 40, Vienna, and a touch of Chocolate Malt
  • Traditional English-style hop bite from Goldings hops
  • Smooth, pub-style finish from Nottingham yeast
  • Great all-year drinker with enough character for any occasion

A proper all-occasion ale with just enough depth, balance, and personality to feel, well… xtra special.

Your Brew Breakdown

Everything you need to craft your perfect brew

STORY

Xtra Special Bitter is a smooth, balanced ESB-style ale with just the right mix of malt character and hop bitterness. Built with specialty grains, Smooth DME, Booster, Goldings hops, and Nottingham yeast, this recipe brings classic pub-style flavor to your homebrew lineup.

PROFILE

Expect a deep amber pour with toasty malt depth, light caramel notes, earthy-floral hop character, and a firm but approachable bitter finish. It is flavorful without being heavy, making it an easy all-season beer for fans of classic English-style ales.

WHAT YOU GET

  • 1 Can Classic American Light Brewing Extract (HME)
  • 1 Packet Smooth DME
  • 1 Packet Booster
  • 1 Packet Chocolate Malt
  • 1 Packet Crystal 40
  • 1 Packet Vienna Malt
  • 2 Packets Goldings Hops
  • 3 Muslin Hop Sacks
  • 1 Packet Nottingham Yeast
  • 1 Packet No-Rinse Cleanser

FOR FANS OF

Fuller's ESB

English bitters

Balanced malt-forward ales

Classic pub-style beers

BREW SPECS

Style: Regional
Flavor: Balanced, malty, and lightly bitter
Original Gravity: 1.053
Final Gravity: 1.011
ABV: 5.53%
SRM (Color): 16
IBU (Bitterness): 40
Batch Size: 8 liters / about 2 gallons

BREW TIME

Ready to enjoy in about 4–5 weeks

Fermentation: 2 weeks

Carbonation: 2 weeks

Additional conditioning can help the malt and hop bitterness smooth out even more.

WHY THIS RECIPE

This recipe is a great choice when you want a beer with real malt character and a classic bitter finish without going too heavy. Goldings hops bring traditional English-style hop flavor, while the specialty grains give the beer color, body, and a smooth pub-ale feel.

Step-by-step brewing guide

How to Brew Xtra Special Bitter ESB

DETAILED

Brew Day Guide

We’ll guide you every step of the way — no experience needed.

Detailed Instructions
BEFORE YOU BREW

Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

Get the details on what’s included, how it works, and what to expect from this product.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 11 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 11 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
100%would recommend this product
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11 reviews
  • A
    Anonymous
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2 years ago
    Love this brew

    This brew has the right balance of malt and hops and is so good I am making another batch.

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  • A
    Anonymous
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 years ago
    Best beer I've made

    This a GREAT beer ! One of the best I've done using the Mr Beer recipes. Very good head retention the taste up front just a bit on the hoppy side in a nice smooth mouth feel.then on the back side you get the malty taste of the chocolate malt. I will be doing this again very soon !!!

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  • A
    Anonymous
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 year ago
    Mr Beer is helping me grow as a home brewer.

    This recipe kit was my first real introduction to a partial mash beer. I recently bottled it and can't wait to try it. Great ingredients and great instructions. ...and yesterday I did my first all grain brew day using the biab system so we'll demonstrated on your site. I will do more all grain brewing but I'm sticking with the Mr Beer fermenter as I love the 2 gallon batch size.

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  • A
    Anonymous
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 years ago
    A little more complicated than a normal recipe

    Doesn't taste exactly like fuller's but pretty good

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  • A
    Anonymous
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4 years ago
    Probably my best beer yet!

    What a great beer! Lightly bready on the nose but very balanced on the palate. I primed with half the sugar (as I do most of the time) and let the bottles sit for 6 weeks. Perfect! Slight chocolate and dare I say walnut notes. Finishes slightly sweet with zero aftertaste or off-notes. Believe the reviews!

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