‘World’s best’ beer revealed – a 177-year-old Victorian bitter brewed in the UK

A UK brewery has finally seen its bitter crowned 'best in the world for 2026' – using a Victorian recipe unchanged for a staggering 177 years. Joseph Holt Bitter has not changed its ingredients since first brewed in Manchester in 1849 by former carter Joseph Holt, who set up his own brewery funded by his devoted wife Catherine.

To this day, the very same beer continues to be made by the still-family-owned Joseph Holt Brewery, which now also runs 127 pubs across the north-west of England. Now the two-century-old bitter has been named No.1 in the world by winning gold in the best 'Cask Conditioned Beer' category at the 2026 International Brewing Awards – the industry's 140 year-old 'Oscars'.

The impressive gong forms part of a bumper haul for the brewery at this year’s awards with their most successful set of results to date up against the best stouts, lagers and dark, strong and low-alcohol bitters on the planet. Joseph Holt's head brewer Phil Parkinson said: "It was absolutely thrilling to be awarded so many medals at this year’s competition – not least our legendary Bitter, whose recipe has remained unchanged since it was first brewed in 1849.

"What's more, another of our beers, Fool’s Gold, won silver in the same category – which while still a cask beer it’s far paler than our Bitter and is full of tropical fruit aromas from the hops. Taking Gold and Silver for an old and a new beer with completely different flavour profiles made success all the sweeter.

"Although we make many award-winning ales and lagers, Joseph Holt was, if you like, built on our Bitter and it reflects our proud Northern heritage. And with its deep, clear amber colour, clean bitterness and full white head it has become something of an icon among English beers."

The International Brewing Awards (IBA) attract entries from across the world with several hundred beers judged by industry experts. Other gold medals were awarded to Joseph Holt's bottled beer Humdinger, an already multi-award-winning light golden ale with a refreshing, slightly bitter taste and notes of Mexican honey and citrus.

While another of their long-standing recipes to be recognised was Sixex, which claimed a silver medal. The bottled beer, first produced by Joseph Holt in 1901, made with rich crystal and black malts, is a longstanding staple.

On their own website, Joseph Holt Bitter is described as: "Deep clear amber. Full white head. Big bitterness. The original Holt’s Bitter is what we’re built on. A true icon, English beer and Manchester Bitter.

"Much like our northern roots, this cask bitter is full of character with light caramel and malty notes that develop into a solid base with punchy, earthy hops. Biting bitterness from the carefully selected English hops is balanced out by the best English pale ale malt and a gentle carbonation to leave a silky-smooth finish. Quenchingly good, this is a proper bitter beer."

Phil added: "This is Joseph Holt`s biggest haul of medals to date and reflects the commitment of our team and the company`s unwavering commitment to brewing quality beers. We recognise there’s no need to tamper with historic favourites, while also continuing to refresh our range with new lines.

"The breadth of our wins demonstrates that range since we aced it in so many categories. But we never rest on our laurels – we’re always striving to produce the very best beers we can for both loyal customers and those discovering our beers for the first time."

Ruth Evans MBE, chief executive at Brewing, Food & Beverage Industry Suppliers' Association who organise the awards, said last year: "I feel a great deal of responsibility to be overseeing the organisation of an international beer and cider competition that is 140 years old.

"The core values of the competition remain true to its heritage, reflecting the passion and dedication of entrants for their beers and ciders. Our competition judges diligently share the responsibility of choosing not just the best beers and ciders but those with commercial worth."

Earlier this year Labour announced a Budget U-Turn and gave pubs and music venues in England a 15% discount on business rate bills. It followed a huge backlash from the hospitality industry, which warned of mass closures and job losses.

Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the measure will apply from April, and pub bills will also see a real-terms freeze for a further two years. The valuation model used for pubs will also be reviewed.

Unveiling the lifeline support, Mr Tomlinson said: "This support is worth £1,650 for the average pub just next year and will mean that around three quarters of pubs will see their bills fall or stay the same next year.

"Then bills will be frozen in real terms for the next two years."