English Ales

[Morrey]

In simplified terms, what is the basic difference between an English Pale Ale and an English Bitter?

 

[BigEd]

They're the same thing, at least as far as the basic ingredients and vital statistics go. I believe the older, traditional distinction was that a bitter was served on draught and a pale ale was bottled.

 

[FlaglerBC]

What's the difference between and an English bitter and an American Amber?

 

[jekeane]

In simplified terms, what is the basic difference between an English Pale Ale and an English Bitter?

An ESB and a English pale ale are the same. A ordinary bitter or best bitter are different. http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style08.php

 

[jekeane]

What's the difference between and an English bitter and an American Amber?

There are 3 types of bitters and while all share some similarities with American Ambers they are differences. Bitters in general are more malt focused on the aroma with yeast and hop characteristics supporting. Hop bitterness in med high while flavor may be lower and is accompanied by yeast and caramel/toffee malts.

American Ambers are becoming brown pale ales where hop aroma and bitterness (to a extent) are high. Yeast character tend to be none with ambers.