{"product_id":"recipe-kit-double-choc-porter","title":"Recipe Kit Double Choc Porter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Double Choc Porter is a rich, indulgent dark ale built around a genuine double hit of chocolate. Crystal malts, dark roasted grain and a chocolate cream essence layer cocoa, espresso, biscuit and caramel, while Fuggles hops keep a firm bitter backbone so it never turns cloying. It makes 21 litres of a porter that drinks like a dessert beer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat it is like to brew\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost chocolate beers rely on roast alone to suggest cocoa. This one uses dark roasted grain plus a chocolate cream essence for a real, layered chocolate character. An English yeast strain rounds it into a smooth, full mouthfeel, and if you want it sweeter you can add up to 500g of lactose to push it towards milk chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy this kit works\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eDark roasted grain plus chocolate cream essence for a true double-chocolate hit\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFuggles hops for a firm bitterness that keeps it from being too sweet\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEnglish yeast for a smooth, rounded, dessert-like mouthfeel\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eOptional lactose (up to 500g) to turn it into a milk chocolate porter\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen it makes sense\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA great pick when you want a rich, sweetish dark beer for cooler months or as a treat. Easy enough for a confident first-timer, and a crowd favourite at any gathering.\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\u003eChocolate porter\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eABV\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e4.8%\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eIBU\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e30\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eColour (EBC)\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e35\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eOriginal gravity\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e1.048\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eFinal gravity\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e1.014\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eFermentation temp\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e18 to 22 C (ale yeast)\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 to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eReady to drink\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003eAbout 4 to 6 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\u003eMalt extract base with crystal malts (the fermentable base, for biscuit and caramel)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDark roasted grain (for espresso and dark colour)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eChocolate cream essence (for the second hit of cocoa)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFuggles hops (for a firm balancing bitterness)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEnglish ale yeast (ferments the sugars and rounds the body)\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 Dark brown to near black with a tan head\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cocoa and chocolate up front, with coffee and caramel\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Big chocolate hit, espresso bitterness, biscuit warmth, lingering caramel\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth, rounded and full\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lingering caramel and cocoa, balanced by hop bitterness\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's verdict\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrew it as-is for a balanced chocolate porter, or add up to 500g of lactose at the boil if you want it sweeter and creamier, closer to milk chocolate. Either way, give it a few weeks to settle, the chocolate character deepens noticeably with a little age.\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":41994604576845,"sku":"35925","price":79.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/35925.jpg?v=1754055927","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-double-choc-porter","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}