{"product_id":"recipe-kit-fat-yak","title":"Recipe Kit Fat Yak","description":"\u003cp\u003eRecipe Kit Fat Yak is a clone of the original 2009 Matilda Bay Brewery recipe, built before the brand changed hands and the hop bill was simplified. That version used Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand and Cascade from the USA — a combination that produces a fruity, spicy, herbal hop profile that is genuinely different from the tropical citrus character most Australian pale ales lean on. If you remember what Fat Yak tasted like before it changed, this is the kit to brew.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNelson Sauvin is an unusual hop. Its gooseberry, grape, and herbal character sets it apart from the more common citrus-forward American varieties. Paired with Cascade for citrus support, the two produce a layered profile that rewards paying attention to what is in the glass. The copper amber colour and 25 to 30 IBU bitterness keep it balanced and drinkable. Many batches went into nailing the original hop levels.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey advantages\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eNelson Sauvin and Cascade hop combination — distinctive and hard to find commercially today\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eClone of the pre-change Fat Yak recipe\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eModerate IBU (25 to 30) — full hop character without being hop-sharp\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEBC 30 — copper amber colour from the malt bill\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen it makes sense\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eWorks well if you are chasing the pre-2009 Fat Yak flavour\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGood way to explore Nelson Sauvin hops without committing to a full all-grain brew\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSuits intermediate brewers who have done a few pale ales and want something more complex\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrewing specs\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Australian Craft Pale Ale\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVolume:\u003c\/strong\u003e 21 litres (approx 53 stubbies)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.6 to 4.8%\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIBU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 to 30\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eColour (EBC):\u003c\/strong\u003e 30\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHops:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nelson Sauvin (New Zealand), Cascade (USA)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eOriginal gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.044 to 1.046\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinal gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.012 to 1.014\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFermentation temp:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 to 23 degrees C\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner to intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eReady to drink:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 to 5 weeks from brew day\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's in the kit\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePale ale malt extract\u003c\/strong\u003e — fermentable base and copper amber colour\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNelson Sauvin hop pellets (New Zealand)\u003c\/strong\u003e — gooseberry, herbal and grape character, bitterness\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCascade hop pellets (USA)\u003c\/strong\u003e — citrus and floral aroma\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAle yeast\u003c\/strong\u003e — clean fermentation\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDextrose\u003c\/strong\u003e — boosts ABV and primes carbonation in the bottle\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gooseberry, grape, and a herbal quality from Nelson Sauvin, with citrus and floral character from Cascade\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper amber with good clarity\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fruity and spicy hop character up front, supported by a malt backbone that keeps it from being hop-sharp. Moderate bitterness with a lingering finish\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth and full-flavoured. Refreshing without being thin\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry, with Nelson Sauvin's herbal note sitting cleanly at the end\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's tip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNelson Sauvin divides opinion. Some people love the gooseberry and herbal character immediately. Others find it unusual on the first pour and come around by the second pint. Brew this kit before ordering Nelson Sauvin in bulk. The Cascade pairing helps — it grounds the more unusual notes and makes the profile more accessible than a single-hop Nelson Sauvin beer would be.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the AHB Brewing Team — June 2026.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Australian Home Brewing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41994406625357,"sku":"35029","price":67.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/recipe-kit-fat-yak-normalised.jpg?v=1786341085","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-fat-yak","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}