{"product_id":"recipe-kit-esb-english-extra-special-bitter","title":"Recipe Kit ESB English Extra Special Bitter","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmooth. Malty. Properly British.\u003cbr\u003e This ESB is inspired by Fuller’s iconic Extra Special Bitter, a flagship of English brewing and one of the most beloved ales ever poured in a pub. Rich in flavour and effortlessly drinkable, this recipe delivers a beautifully balanced pint with depth, character, and tradition in every sip.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBrewed with a blend of Pale and Dark Crystal malts, and traditional Fuggles and Goldings hops, it pours a deep amber with notes of toffee, biscuit, and subtle spice. Fermented with Empire Ale yeast, it finishes clean, creamy, and satisfying — a beer that’s as enjoyable at home as it would be on cask in a London pub.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is a real-deal English bitter — easy to brew, hard to beat, and a fan favourite for a reason.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAroma: Caramel and biscuit, floral hops.\u003cbr\u003e Flavour: Rich malt backbone with layers of biscuit. Soft hop bitterness rounds it out.\u003cbr\u003e Colour: Soft amber with reddish hues and a creamy off-white head.\u003cbr\u003e Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium body with a mellow, lingering finish \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStyle: English Extra Special Bitter\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMalts: Pale malt extract base with steeped Dark Crystal for depth and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHops: UK Goldings \u0026amp; Fuggles – floral, earthy, and lightly spicy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYeast: Mangrove Jack’s M15 Empire Ale – classic English profile with balanced esters.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFermentation Range: 18–23°C\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOriginal Gravity: 1.044 – 1.046\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinal Gravity: 1.010 – 1.012\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eABV: 4.8 – 5.0%\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIBUs: 25 (balanced, smooth bitterness)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eVolume: 21L\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecipe Style: Malt Extract Kit with grain steep and full hop boil\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFAQ's\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's the difference between a Bitter, and Extra Special Bitter?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese are all English ale styles on the same spectrum — Bitter is the lightest, Best Bitter sits in the middle, and Extra Special Bitter (ESB) is the full-flavoured, higher-ABV version. ESBs are known for their richer malt character, more complex hop profile, and greater depth overall. This kit delivers that full ESB experience.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat does this ESB taste like?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRich caramel and biscuit malt is front and centre, with a gentle sweetness from the crystal grain. The UK Goldings and Fuggles hops add an earthy, floral bitterness that keeps it balanced. The finish is smooth, creamy, and lingers pleasantly — exactly what you want from an English bitter.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat makes the M15 Empire Ale yeast a good choice for this style?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMangrove Jack's M15 is a classic English ale strain that produces balanced ester character — the fruity notes that are part of what makes English ales taste distinctly British. It ferments cleanly within the recommended temperature range and contributes to the creamy mouthfeel that defines the style.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow much beer does this kit make?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis kit produces 21 litres — around 28 × 750ml longnecks or 55 × 330ml stubbies. All ingredients are measured for that batch size, so you're set up from the start.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat equipment do I need?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYou'll need a fermenter with an airlock, a large pot for boiling (this kit includes a hop boil), a thermometer, a long spoon, and bottles or a keg for packaging. Our starter kits include everything you need if you're just getting set up.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow long until it's ready to drink?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExpect roughly 3 to 4 weeks from brew day to a well-conditioned ESB. Fermentation typically takes 7 to 10 days, followed by a couple of weeks in the bottle to fully develop the flavour and carbonation. English ales often reward a little extra conditioning time, so as usual a little patience pays off here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Australian Home Brewing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41994456137805,"sku":"35106","price":74.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/recipe-kit-esb-english-extra-special-bitter.jpg?v=1785301920","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-esb-english-extra-special-bitter","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}