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Recipe Kit Hop Head Session Ale
The Hop Head Session Ale delivers session strength with no compromise on hop flavour. It makes 21 litres at 4.2 to 4.5% ABV, pairing high-impact Eclipse hop pellets with Mangrove Jack's M66 Hophead Ale Yeast for a citrus-forward, hop-expressive beer you can genuinely session.
Makes 21L , about 28 bottles
4.2-4.5% ABV , Hop Head Session Ale
Extract
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Recipe Kit Hop Head Session Ale
Sale price$56.90
The details
The brief here is big hop character at a sessionable strength, and the yeast is the secret. Eclipse hops bring mandarin, zesty citrus and fresh fruit, while the M66 Hophead yeast is selected specifically to amplify and extend hop aroma through fermentation. At 4.2 to 4.5% it stays crisp, clean and lingering, never watered down.
The Hop Head Session Ale delivers session strength with no compromise on hop flavour. It makes 21 litres at 4.2 to 4.5% ABV, pairing high-impact Eclipse hop pellets with Mangrove Jack's M66 Hophead Ale Yeast for a citrus-forward, hop-expressive beer you can genuinely session.
What it is like to brew
The brief here is big hop character at a sessionable strength, and the yeast is the secret. Eclipse hops bring mandarin, zesty citrus and fresh fruit, while the M66 Hophead yeast is selected specifically to amplify and extend hop aroma through fermentation. At 4.2 to 4.5% it stays crisp, clean and lingering, never watered down.
Why this kit works
- High-impact Eclipse hop pellets for mandarin, zesty citrus and fresh fruit
- Mangrove Jack's M66 Hophead Ale Yeast, selected to maximise hop aroma
- Full hop character at a genuinely sessionable 4.2 to 4.5% ABV
- Crisp, clean and lingering, built for hop lovers
When it makes sense
A good choice for hop lovers who want all the aroma of a craft pale ale in a lighter, more sessionable package. Ideal for hot days and high-volume situations, and for anyone who finds full-strength IPAs a bit much.
Specifications
| Style | Australian Craft Session Ale |
|---|---|
| ABV | 4.2 to 4.5% |
| IBU | 20 |
| Colour (EBC) | 5 |
| Original gravity | 1.040 to 1.042 |
| Final gravity | 1.010 to 1.012 |
| Fermentation temp | 18 to 23°C |
| Batch volume | 21 litres |
| Difficulty | Beginner friendly |
| Ready to drink | About 3 to 4 weeks |
What's in the box
- Pale malt extract blend (the fermentable base that becomes the beer)
- Eclipse hop pellets (mandarin, zesty citrus and fresh fruit)
- Mangrove Jack's M66 Hophead Ale Yeast (amplifies and extends hop aroma)
- Full step-by-step brewing instructions
Flavour profile
- Appearance: Light golden straw
- Aroma: Fruity mandarin, zesty and citrus from the Eclipse hops
- Flavour: Hop-forward citrus character, crisp and clean
- Mouthfeel: Crisp, fresh and light
- Finish: Lingering and clean on the palate
Hamish's verdict
This is a beer built to show off hop aroma, so drink it fresh. The mandarin and citrus from the Eclipse hops is at its most vivid in the weeks right after carbonation, so brew it when you are ready to drink it and do not let it sit.
Reviewed by the AHB Brewing Team, June 2026. Last updated June 2026.
What's In The Kit
- Pale malt extract blend: the fermentable base that becomes the beer
- Eclipse hop pellets: mandarin, zesty citrus and fresh fruit
- Mangrove Jack's M66 Hophead Ale Yeast: amplifies and extends hop aroma
- Full step-by-step brewing instructions
Brew Specs
- Style: Australian Craft Session Ale
- ABV: 4.2 to 4.5%
- IBU: 20
- Colour (EBC): 5
- Original gravity: 1.040 to 1.042
- Final gravity: 1.010 to 1.012
- Fermentation temp: 18 to 23°C
- Batch volume: 21 litres
- Difficulty: Beginner friendly
- Ready to drink: About 3 to 4 weeks
Flavour Profile
Appearance: Light golden straw
Aroma: Fruity mandarin, zesty and citrus from the Eclipse hops
Flavour: Hop-forward citrus character, crisp and clean
Mouthfeel: Crisp, fresh and light
Finish: Lingering and clean on the palate
Aroma: Fruity mandarin, zesty and citrus from the Eclipse hops
Flavour: Hop-forward citrus character, crisp and clean
Mouthfeel: Crisp, fresh and light
Finish: Lingering and clean on the palate
Who it's for
A good choice for hop lovers who want all the aroma of a craft pale ale in a lighter, more sessionable package. Ideal for hot days and high-volume situations, and for anyone who finds full-strength IPAs a bit much.
Buying from us
Quick answers
Questions about this product, shipping and orders. See the FAQ page for more topics.
Customer support:
Monday to Friday, 9-4pm AEST.We normally get back to you within a day—often sooner.
Monday to Friday, 9-4pm AEST.We normally get back to you within a day—often sooner.
What makes this a session ale?
Session ales are brewed for drinkability, typically under 4.5% ABV, with enough hop and malt character to be interesting but light enough to have a few without feeling heavy. They often ferment and condition slightly faster than higher ABV beers and suit the Australian summer, but are a popular choice for all seasons.
What hops are in this kit and what do they taste like?
The hop varieties are listed in the product description above. Australian hop varieties like Galaxy, Ella, Eclipse, and Cascade produce tropical, citrus, and stone fruit characters. American varieties like Chinook and Centennial lean more resinous and piney. The specs section above lists IBUs, which gives you a guide to bitterness intensity.
What is a malt extract recipe kit?
A malt extract kit provides the main fermentable sugars in a concentrated liquid or dry form, already converted from grain at a commercial brewery. You add water, yeast, hops, then ferment. It skips the grain mashing step, which cuts brew day down to about 30 to 45 minutes while still producing full-flavoured craft beer.
What is the difference between an extract kit and a fresh wort kit?
A fresh wort kit (FWK) delivers pre-brewed, unfermented wort in a bag, ready to pour straight into the fermenter and pitch yeast. No heating required. An extract kit requires you to dissolve the malt in hot water and add hops at various stages, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes. FWKs produce brewery-fresh flavour with almost zero work.
What equipment do I need to brew this kit?
You need a 30-litre fermenter with an airlock, a hydrometer, a thermometer, a long-handled spoon, a bottle capper, crown seals, and bottles. A no-rinse sanitiser is essential. AHB stocks no-rinse sanitiser specifically for home brewing. AHB starter kits include all of this in one bundle if you are starting from scratch.
How long from brew day to first drink?
Allow 4 to 6 weeks total. Fermentation takes 7 to 14 days depending on temperature. After bottling, the beer needs at least 2 to 3 weeks to condition and carbonate. Most kits are at their best around week 5 or 6.
Can a beginner brew this kit?
Yes. Extract recipe kits are the most approachable entry point to home brewing. The malt extract is already prepared, so there is no grain mashing or complex calculations involved. Follow the step-by-step instructions included and you will produce a solid result on your first brew.
Customer support:
Monday to Friday, 9-4pm AEST.We normally get back to you within a day—often sooner.
Monday to Friday, 9-4pm AEST.We normally get back to you within a day—often sooner.
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