Extra Special Bitter
Classic Style · British and Irish · 61 Entrants in 2025
Style Definition
Stronger English bitter with notable hop and malt character in balance.
ABV4.8 to 5.8%
IBU30 to 45
SRM8 to 14
Classic style categories are judged against one Brewers Association style description. Source: Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines (approximate ranges) (approximate)
Table view
| Entries | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entries | 63 | 65 | 49 | 62 | 61 |
Medalists by Year
2025 · Category 68 · 61 Entrants
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Windsurfing On The Thames | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Corn Coast Brewing | Lincoln, NE |
| Silver | Velvet Organic ESB | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Hopworks Urban Brewery | Portland, OR |
| Bronze | Rod's Best Bitter | 5% | 30 | Not Found | Second Street Brewery | Santa Fe, NM |
2024 · Category 65 · 62 Entrants
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Pub Ale | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Pilot Brewing Co. | Charlotte, NC |
| Silver | Brighton ESB | 5.6% | 41 | Not Found | Bravery Brewing Co. | Lancaster, CA |
| Bronze | Velvet Organic ESB | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Hopworks Urban Brewery | Portland, OR |
2023 · Category 72 · 49 Entrants
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Velvet ESB | 5.2% | Not Found | Not Found | Hopworks Urban Brewery | Portland, OR |
| Silver | Railhead Red | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Lumberyard Brewing Co. (Taproom & Grille) | Flagstaff, AZ |
| Bronze | Hooks & Dun | 5% | Not Found | Not Found | Wren House Brewing Co. | Phoenix, AZ |
2022 · Category 71 · 65 Entrants
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Happy Amber | 6% | 30 | Not Found | MadTree Brewing Co. | Cincinnati, OH |
| Silver | Bitter Soul | 4.8% | 40 | Not Found | Mad Pecker Brewing Co. | San Antonio, TX |
| Bronze | Whale's Tale Pale Ale | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Cisco Brewers Portsmouth | Portsmouth, NH |
2021 · Category 70 · 63 Entrants
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Velvet ESB | 5.2% | Not Found | Not Found | Hopworks Urban Brewery | Portland, OR |
| Silver | Eastside Special Bitter | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Marble Brewery (MavLab) | Albuquerque, NM |
| Bronze | Elleigh's ESB | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | 1886 Brewing Co. | Orange, CA |