What characteristic is typical of the three English bitter styles (Ordinary, Best, and Strong)?

The typical characteristic of the three English bitter styles—Ordinary, Best, and Strong—is indeed stronger bitterness and complexity. These styles are designed to showcase the harmony between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, with bitterness often derived from the use of traditional English hop varieties. The Ordinary Bitter is the lightest in body and flavor, Best Bitter has more malt and hop character, while Strong Bitter (or Extra Special Bitter, ESB) increases both malt and hop intensity, leading to a higher perceived bitterness and greater flavor complexity.

In this context, the focus is heavily on balancing the residual sweetness from the malt with the bitterness contributed by hops. Therefore, stronger bitterness is a defining characteristic of these beers, making them distinct within both the English ale category and the broader beer landscape. The mention of complexity arises from the interaction between the malt and hop elements, which allows for a more nuanced flavor profile that can include earthy, floral, and resinous notes.

Other options do not accurately capture the defining traits of these bitter styles. For instance, higher carbonation levels are not specifically a hallmark of these beers, which often feature moderate carbonation. Increased fruitiness is typically associated with other styles, such as IPAs or fruit-centric ales, rather than English bitters. Lastly,