If you want to understand what English beer is really about, start with Fuller’s London Pride. It is a bitter, the classic English pub ale, and it is about as good an example of the style as exists. Smooth, malty and balanced, with just enough hop character, it is the pint the rest are measured against. I picked up a batch for this guide.
Fuller’s London Pride at a glance
| Style | English bitter (pale ale) |
| ABV | 4.7% |
| Calories | Around 140 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Fuller’s, London, England |
| Character | Biscuit malt, marmalade fruit, gentle hops |
| Best served | Cool, not cold, in a pint glass |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a smooth, balanced English bitter, malt-led with a gentle hop and fruit character.
The full review
It pours a lovely clear amber with a soft off-white head. The aroma is classically English, biscuity malt, a gentle earthy hop and a light marmalade-fruit note from the yeast.
The flavour is all about balance. There is a smooth biscuity and caramel malt base, a subtle orange-marmalade fruitiness and a gentle, earthy English hop bitterness that keeps it dry and moreish. Nothing shouts, everything works together.
That is the whole point of a great bitter. It is not built to impress in one sip, it is built to drink pint after pint in the pub, and London Pride does that better than almost anything. It is best served cool rather than ice cold, which lets the malt and fruit come through.
It is the definitive English bitter, widely available and consistently excellent. If someone asks what a proper English pint tastes like, this is the answer.
If someone asks what a proper English pint tastes like, this is the answer.
- The definitive English bitter
- Beautifully balanced and moreish
- Biscuit malt and gentle marmalade fruit
- A proper session pint at 4.7%
- Understated if you want big flavour
- Best cool, not ice cold
Who it is for
If you want to taste a proper English pub bitter, London Pride is the benchmark. Perfect for anyone who loves balanced, easy-drinking ales.
Fuller’s London Pride FAQs
What is an English bitter?
A bitter is the classic English pub ale, a smooth, malt-led amber beer with a gentle earthy hop bitterness and often a light fruity note from the yeast. It is built for easy, sociable drinking rather than big flavours. London Pride is a benchmark example.
What does Fuller’s London Pride taste like?
Smooth biscuity and caramel malt with a light orange-marmalade fruitiness and a gentle, dry, earthy hop bitterness. It is beautifully balanced and very moreish.
Should English bitter be served cold?
No. A bitter like London Pride is best served cool, around cellar temperature, not ice cold. Serving it too cold mutes the malt and fruit character that makes it so good.
Where to buy Fuller’s London Pride
Fuller’s London Pride is widely available across the US in bottles and cans. Buy it using the button above and serve it cool.
The verdict
Fuller’s London Pride is the definitive English bitter, smooth, balanced and endlessly moreish. If you want to know what a proper English pint tastes like, this is where to start.
FAQs
Who makes Fuller’s London Pride?
Fuller’s London Pride is brewed by Fuller’s (owned by Asahi Group Holdings, which bought Fuller’s beer business in 2019).
What kind of beer is Fuller’s London Pride?
Fuller’s London Pride is an English bitter (pale ale), at 4.7% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Fuller’s London Pride?
Fuller’s London Pride has an ABV of 4.7%.
How many calories are in Fuller’s London Pride?
Fuller’s London Pride has Around 140 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Fuller’s London Pride gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Fuller’s London Pride is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Fuller’s London Pride taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Fuller’s London Pride made?
Fuller’s London Pride is brewed by Fuller’s in London, England. For more from that country, see our best England beers guide.
How do I open Fuller’s London Pride without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Fuller’s London Pride?
Cool, not cold, in a pint glass. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
