{"product_id":"recipe-kit-original-vic-bitter","title":"Recipe Kit Original Vic Bitter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is our clone recipe built to capture what makes Victoria Bitter iconic: a clean, crisp, full-strength Australian lager-style bitter. It makes 21 litres at 4.4 to 4.6% ABV, with the balanced malt sweetness and resinous hop bite the original is famous for. The key is the hops, Pride of Ringwood, the variety that defined VB for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat it is like to brew\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGet the hops and the yeast right and the rest follows. Pride of Ringwood, grown in Tasmania and Victoria, gives the resinous, fruity bitterness that defines this beer. Paired with pale malt and a Californian-style lager yeast fermented cool and clean, you get about as close as you can to cracking a cold one straight off the line, except you brewed it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy this kit works\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003ePride of Ringwood hops, the variety that defined the original's character\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePale malt for an authentic clean malt base\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCalifornian-style lager yeast that ferments clean at ale temperatures\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFull-strength and full-flavoured, a faithful take on an Australian icon\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen it makes sense\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe kit to brew when you want a faithful, full-strength VB-style bitter at home. Suits beginners after a familiar Australian style and experienced brewers who want a reliable, true-to-style house bitter.\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\u003eAustralian Bitter\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eABV\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e4.4 to 4.6% (approximately 4.5%)\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eIBU\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e25 to 30\u003c\/td\u003e \u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth\u003eColour (EBC)\u003c\/th\u003e \u003ctd\u003e6 to 8\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\u003e1.008 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\u003ePale malt extract (the fermentable base that becomes the beer)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePride of Ringwood hops (resinous, fruity bitterness, the signature VB hop)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCalifornian-style lager yeast (clean fermentation at ale temperature)\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 Golden amber\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Resinous and fruity\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Balanced malt sweetness with a medium, resinous hop bite\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean and crisp\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crisp, balanced and refreshing\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's verdict\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePride of Ringwood is non-negotiable for this style, and it is what makes the clone read as VB rather than just another bitter. Ferment cool and clean around 18 to 20°C and give it time to condition. Brewed properly, it is genuinely close to the original.\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":41994312941645,"sku":"35064","price":53.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/35064.jpg?v=1754040485","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-original-vic-bitter","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}