New Recipe Kit Bolter XPA

Bolter XPA is an Extra Pale Ale built on a blend of pale malt extract with a specialty grain steep for extra body and sweetness. The hop bill is Citra, Amarillo, and Centennial — a combination that delivers tropical fruit and citrus aroma without the sharp resinous bitterness of a West Coast IPA. At 4.8% ABV, it sits in the drinkable range that XPAs are known for. The result is a hop-forward beer that is genuinely easy to drink.

The grain steep (Carapils and Caramalt) adds a level of quality that pure extract kits cannot match — improved body, subtle sweetness, and better head retention. The steeping process is simple and fully covered in the instructions. This kit suits beginner to intermediate brewers who want something more interesting than a standard extract kit.

Key advantages

• Citra, Amarillo, and Centennial hop combination — tropical fruit and citrus, the classic XPA character
• Carapils and Caramalt grain steep adds body and head retention beyond what extract alone produces
• 4.8% ABV — full flavour in the drinkable mid-strength range
• Complete instructions for the mini mash grain step included in the box

When it makes sense

• Works well if you enjoy XPAs and Pacific-style ales and want to brew at home
• Good next step if you have done a couple of standard extract kits and want more complexity
• Suits anyone who wants a hop-forward beer without the intensity of an IPA

Brewing specs

• Style: Extra Pale Ale (XPA)
• Volume: 21 litres (approx 53 stubbies)
• ABV: 4.8%
• Hops: Citra, Amarillo, Centennial
• Grain bill: Pale malt extract (DME and LME), Carapils, Caramalt (steeped)
• Original gravity: 1.046 to 1.048
• Final gravity: 1.010 to 1.012
• Fermentation temp: 18 to 23 degrees C
• Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
• Ready to drink: 4 to 6 weeks from brew day

What's in the kit

• Pale malt extract (dry and liquid) — fermentable base, pale colour
• Carapils malt — steeped for body and head retention
• Caramalt — steeped for subtle sweetness and colour
• Citra hop pellets — tropical fruit and citrus aroma and bitterness
• Amarillo hop pellets — citrus and floral character
• Centennial hop pellets — balanced bitterness and citrus backbone
• Ale yeast — clean fermentation
• Dextrose — boosts ABV and primes carbonation in the bottle

Tasting notes

• Aroma: Tropical fruit and fresh citrus from Citra and Amarillo, with floral backing from Centennial
• Appearance: Pale gold with a soft haze and a persistent white head
• Flavour: Clean malt base with a burst of tropical and citrus hop character in the middle. Finishes crisp and refreshing
• Mouthfeel: Medium body from the Carapils and Caramalt steep. Smooth without being heavy
• Finish: Clean and dry with lasting hop aroma

Hamish's tip

XPAs are at their best when the hop aroma is fresh. Drink this one within 8 to 10 weeks of bottling rather than letting it sit for months. Ferment at the lower end of the range (18 to 19 degrees C) for a cleaner hop profile — pushing higher introduces yeast esters that compete with Citra and Amarillo. The grain steep takes about 30 minutes but makes a real difference to the finished beer. Do not skip it.

Reviewed by the AHB Brewing Team — June 2026.