Marks & Spencer Suffolk Bitter
Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery
- From:
- Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery
- England, United Kingdom
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
- ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- +4 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.47 | pDev: 11.53%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 4
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 30, 2026
- Added:
- Apr 09, 2018
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
This quintessential English bitter is brewed with sweet, biscuity East Anglian barley and grassy Fuggles and Goldings hops to create an aromatic beer with a refreshing taste and a long distinctive finish.
Try this traditional bitter with a classic roast, like tender sweet lamb with all the trimmings.
Try this traditional bitter with a classic roast, like tender sweet lamb with all the trimmings.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.76/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.76/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
During my decade on BA, I should have been paying more attention to Adnams. If I had, I probably would have noticed that they are well diversified in beer and independent pubs and wine and spirits and have a strong presence throughout East Anglia. As a hospitality company with brewing as their core, they deserve very good Overall hugs from me. I look forward to exploring their diversification.
As for their Suffolk Bitter branded with M&S, it is better than the average bottled bitter. While it Looks only slightly better than the average bitter, it does have a slightly better Smell... mostly malt, but not distinct. Tastes are well-balanced and only in the finish do the hops really announce themselves. Medium-mouthed.
I drank this copy with two dry English cheeses (a Red Leicester and a mild cheddar) and a white Stilton with mango chips. (The bitter was better with the dry cheeses.) But, it was classic experience overall. Cheers !
Jan 30, 2026As for their Suffolk Bitter branded with M&S, it is better than the average bottled bitter. While it Looks only slightly better than the average bitter, it does have a slightly better Smell... mostly malt, but not distinct. Tastes are well-balanced and only in the finish do the hops really announce themselves. Medium-mouthed.
I drank this copy with two dry English cheeses (a Red Leicester and a mild cheddar) and a white Stilton with mango chips. (The bitter was better with the dry cheeses.) But, it was classic experience overall. Cheers !
Reviewed by Spike from England
3.86/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
500ml brown glass bottle.
L: Clear, copper colour with one finger of long-lasting, off-white, cream head that leaves lots of spotty lacing.
S: Clean but muted.
T: Typical English Bitter flavours of biscuit and orchard fruit. Moderate leafy hop bitterness. Nicely balanced.
F: Medium body, smooth mouthfeel, light carbonation and a dry finish.
O: A very decent trad English bitter from Adnams.
May 04, 2025L: Clear, copper colour with one finger of long-lasting, off-white, cream head that leaves lots of spotty lacing.
S: Clean but muted.
T: Typical English Bitter flavours of biscuit and orchard fruit. Moderate leafy hop bitterness. Nicely balanced.
F: Medium body, smooth mouthfeel, light carbonation and a dry finish.
O: A very decent trad English bitter from Adnams.
Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England
2.84/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
2.84/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
L- Chestnut. Thin white head swiftly to lacing.
S- Coffee-ish notes
T- Dry, pungent. Blimey almost like marijuana [OR similar!] in the middle. An unexpected strong twist of flavour in the middle there. Ends dry and quite pungent
M- Dry, quite intense.
O- Prominent flavour, quite unexpectedly so. A bit spikey for me.
Aug 31, 2018S- Coffee-ish notes
T- Dry, pungent. Blimey almost like marijuana [OR similar!] in the middle. An unexpected strong twist of flavour in the middle there. Ends dry and quite pungent
M- Dry, quite intense.
O- Prominent flavour, quite unexpectedly so. A bit spikey for me.
Reviewed by Hanglow from Scotland
3.71/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours copper, nice rocky head
Nice trad hop nose, sweet. Muted.
Taste much better, lovely buiscuity malt, decent grassy hop flavour and bitterness, med carb, med body. Slight drying finish
Apr 09, 2018Nice trad hop nose, sweet. Muted.
Taste much better, lovely buiscuity malt, decent grassy hop flavour and bitterness, med carb, med body. Slight drying finish
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