What this beer tastes like

A crisp, golden American-style ale built around Amarillo hops — one of craft brewing's most aromatic varieties, known for its signature zesty orange and citrus character. Light-bodied, sessionable, and bright in the glass, this is the kind of beer that drinks effortlessly and disappears fast.Smooth and easy-drinking with a frothy white head, subtle malt sweetness underneath, and a clean, lingering finish. If you enjoy hop-forward beers without heavy bitterness, this Golden Ale is built for you.

Why brewers love this kit

Amarillo is one of those hops that does something magical at low rates — a late addition is all you need to produce a genuinely aromatic and flavourful beer without tipping into bitterness overload. The Golden Ale style is perfect for showcasing that character: a light, clean grain base that doesn’t compete with the hops, a sessionable ABV, and a mouthfeel that’s smooth enough for anyone to enjoy. It’s one of our most accessible kits and consistently one of our most enjoyed.

Technical Specs

Feature	Profile
Style	American Golden Ale / Pale Ale
Approx. ABV	4.4 – 4.6%
Bitterness (IBU)	20–25 IBU — balanced, restrained
Colour (EBC)	12 — golden to light amber
Hop Character	Zesty orange, citrus, floral
Original Gravity	1.040 – 1.042
Final Gravity	1.010 – 1.012
Batch Volume	21 litres
Format	Malt extract kit
Difficulty	Beginner friendly

Whats in the box?

Everything you need to brew 21 litres of Amarillo Golden Ale at home, including:

• Premium malt extract
• US-grown Amarillo hops (late addition)
• Brewing yeast
• Full step-by-step brew day instructions

Tasting Notes

• Hop Aroma & Flavour: Delicious zesty orange aroma & flavour 
• Appearance: Golden light amber with a frothy white head
• Mouthfeel: Smooth light-medium body with a light, lingering finish.

FAQ's

What makes Amarillo hops special compared to other hop varieties? Amarillo is a US-grown hop variety prized for its intense orange and citrus aroma — one of the most distinctive and sought-after varieties in craft brewing. Unlike general-purpose bittering hops, Amarillo performs best as a late addition, where the lower heat preserves its aromatic oils rather than driving off bitterness. The result is a recognisable, vivid orange character that carries from the pour right through to the finish.

How is a Golden Ale different from a standard Pale Ale? A Golden Ale is lighter in colour, body, and bitterness than a standard Pale Ale. At 12 EBC, this kit produces a clear golden to light amber beer — noticeably paler than most Pale Ales. The grain bill is deliberately restrained so the Amarillo hop character takes centre stage. At 4.4–4.6% ABV and 20–25 IBU, it's sessionable and approachable for a wider range of drinkers.

Is this kit suitable for beginners? Yes  this is one of the most beginner-friendly kits in the range. The malt extract format keeps brew day simple, all ingredients come pre-measured, and the single late hop addition is straightforward to execute. Someone brewing for the first time will find this very achievable, and the result is a beer genuinely worth sharing.

What temperature should I ferment this kit at? Ferment between 18–23°C for best results. Staying in the lower half of that range (18–20°C) will produce a cleaner, crisper finish with the orange hop character better defined. Avoid exceeding 24°C, as warmer fermentation can introduce fruity esters that compete with the Amarillo aroma.

How long until this beer is ready to drink? Allow 10–14 days in the fermenter, then a minimum of 1–2 weeks in the bottle for carbonation to develop. Golden Ales are best enjoyed fresh  the bright orange hop character is at its peak in the first 4–6 weeks after bottling. Chill well before serving.

How much beer does this kit produce? This kit makes approximately 21 litres  around 56 x 375ml stubbies or 28 x 750ml longnecks.

Content reviewed and updated by Australian Home Brewing Brewers 03/2026