Few beer styles have captured the world’s imagination quite like the dry Irish stout — and for good reason. This is a beer with real character: jet black in the glass, built on a generous helping of roasted barley that delivers that unmistakable coffee-like flavour and aroma the style is famous for. East Kent Goldings hops sharpen the finish with clean, dry bitterness, while the medium body keeps it remarkably easy to drink. Despite the deep, dark appearance, it’s an approachable style that’s straightforward to brew. 

What’s in the box

Each kit contains light liquid malt extract, crushed roasted barley, East Kent Goldings hops, Mangrove Jack’s M15 Empire Ale Yeast, and carbonation drops — everything you need to brew a full batch at home. Specific quantities, measurements, and step-by-step brew day instructions are all included in the box.

Beer stats

Dry Irish Stout
ABV	4.5% approx
Batch size	19 litres
IBUs	35–40
EBC	80–90
OG	1.040–1.046
FG	1.010–1.012
Kit type	Malt extract & Grain steep.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Jet black with a thick, creamy tan head.

Aroma: Rich roasted barley character with pronounced coffee and dark chocolate notes.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, smooth and easy drinking with a clean, dry bitter finish and a lingering roasty warmth.

Perfect for

• Home brewers wanting to brew a classic dark beer kit with real depth of roasty, coffee-like flavour
• Stout lovers looking for a beginner-friendly Irish stout kit they can brew at home with no experience
• Gifting to anyone who loves a pint of the black stuff and has always wanted to try making their own

Frequently asked questions

Is this kit suitable for beginners?

Yes — the Dry Irish Stout is a great beginner beer kit The malt extract format keeps the process simple, everything is pre-measured, and full brew day instructions are included in the box. Don’t let the dark colour put you off; this style is genuinely forgiving and very rewarding to brew.

Why is a stout so dark if it’s not super strong?

The colour comes entirely from the roasted barley, not alcohol. Roasted barley is kilned at very high temperatures until almost black, which gives the beer its jet-black colour, coffee-like aroma, and dry, roasty character. At around 4.0–4.5% ABV, this is a proper session-strength beer — it just looks a lot more intense than it is.

What’s the roasted barley steep step for?

Steeping the crushed roasted barley in hot water before the boil extracts its colour, flavour, and aroma without adding fermentable sugars — which is exactly what gives a dry stout its characteristic dark, roasty, coffee-like quality. The step only takes about 20 minutes and is fully explained in the instructions included in the box.

What equipment do I need?

A fermenter (at least 23 litres), an airlock, a hydrometer, a thermometer, a siphon or tap, bottles, and a good sanitiser. Our beer starter kits cover most of what a new brewer needs.

How long before I can drink it?

Allow at least five weeks from brew day — one to two weeks for fermentation, then a minimum of three weeks bottle conditioning at room temperature. This stout actually continues to improve with age, so it’s worth leaving some bottles to mature for a month or two if you can resist.

How many bottles will this kit make?

This kit produces approximately 19 litres — enough for around 25 × 750ml longneck bottles or 50 × 375ml stubbies.

Will it have a creamy head like a pub stout?

A naturally carbonated homebrew stout pours with a good tan head, though it won’t be quite as thick and pillowy as a nitrogen-poured pub pint. For the best result, pour into a clean glass at a steady angle. The flavour will be spot on either way.

What temperature should I ferment at?

Ferment between 18°C and 22°C. The M15 Empire Ale Yeast performs well in this range and produces a clean, characterful fermentation that lets the roasted barley flavours shine.