{"product_id":"recipe-kit-californian-lager","title":"Recipe Kit Californian Lager","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Californian Lager is an American-style session lager built around German-grown Hersbrucker hops, which give it more aroma and character than a standard lager without tipping into hop-forward territory. It makes 21 litres of clean, crisp, light golden beer at 4.4 to 4.6% ABV, and it suits any brewer who wants a lager that ferments reliably at ale temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat it is like to brew\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a lager you can brew without a fridge. The yeast ferments clean at 18 to 20°C and the late Hersbrucker hop addition does the heavy lifting on aroma, so you get grapefruit and citrus over a soft floral, herbal backbone. The result drinks like a warm-weather session beer that disappears faster than you expect.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy this kit works\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eFerments clean at ale temperatures (18 to 20°C), so no temperature-controlled fridge is needed\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGerman Hersbrucker hops added late for a grapefruit, citrus and floral aroma you rarely get from a plain lager\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePre-measured ingredients and step-by-step instructions, so brew day is straightforward\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMakes 21 litres, roughly 28 longnecks or 55 stubbies\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen it makes sense\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA good option when you want a genuine lager character but do not have temperature control. Works well for newer brewers stepping up from a basic kit, and for experienced brewers who want an easy-drinking summer beer with a more interesting hop profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eStyle\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eAmerican-style session lager\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eABV\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e4.4 to 4.6%\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eIBU\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e20 to 25\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eColour (EBC)\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eOriginal gravity\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e1.040 to 1.042\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eFinal gravity\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e1.010 to 1.012\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eFermentation temp\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e18 to 20°C\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eBatch volume\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e21 litres\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eBeginner friendly\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eReady to drink\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eAbout 4 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eLight malt extract (the fermentable base that becomes the beer)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGerman Hersbrucker hops (late addition for grapefruit, citrus and floral aroma)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eClean lager-style yeast (ferments the sugars and sets the crisp finish)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eStep-by-step brew day instructions with weights and timings\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlavour profile\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light golden yellow with a frothy white head\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grapefruit and citrus up front, with floral, herbal and lightly earthy notes behind\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth malt character carrying the Hersbrucker hop aroma through\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light and clean\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh, crisp and lingering\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's verdict\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHersbrucker is the reason to brew this one. Add it late and keep your ferment steady around 18 to 20°C, and you get a lager with real aroma without needing a lagering fridge. If you have only ever brewed plain draught kits, this is a noticeable step up in interest for very little extra effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the AHB Brewing Team, June 2026. Last updated June 2026.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Australian Home Brewing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41994920165453,"sku":"35950","price":54.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/recipe-kit-californian-lager-normalised.jpg?v=1786341062","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-californian-lager","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}