{"product_id":"recipe-kit-sunset-eclipse-session-ale-mid-strength","title":"Recipe Kit Sunset Eclipse Session Ale \/ mid-strength","description":"\u003cp\u003eSunset Eclipse is a mid-strength session ale built around Australian Eclipse hops, steeped and dry-hopped to extract the full mandarin, citrus peel, and pine aroma the variety is known for. The malt base uses Beermakers Lager liquid extract and light dry malt to keep the body clean and light, letting the Eclipse character sit clearly in the aroma and flavour. At 3.4% ABV, this is a beer designed for long afternoons without the weight of a full-strength ale.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEclipse hops are underused in home brewing. They share some character with Cascade but lean more towards sweet mandarin and citrus peel with a softer pine note. Steeping and dry-hopping in the same kit means you get bitterness contribution from the steep and fresh aroma from the dry hop. The Mangrove Jack's M36 Liberty Bell Ale yeast ferments clean and flocculates well, which suits the lighter body of a session beer.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey advantages\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eEclipse hops both steeped and dry-hopped — bitterness plus fresh aroma from one variety\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMangrove Jack's M36 Liberty Bell Ale yeast: clean fermentation, good flocculation\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e3.4% ABV — genuine mid-strength without losing hop character\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLow IBU (20) and pale EBC (6 to 10) — light, bright, and refreshing\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 want a lower-ABV option that still has genuine hop interest\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGood choice for summer brewing when a 5% pale ale is too heavy for the occasion\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSuits anyone who wants to reduce alcohol intake without switching to commercial mid-strengths\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 Session 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 3.4%\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIBU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eColour (EBC):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 to 10\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHops:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eclipse (steeped and dry-hopped)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eGrain bill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beermakers Lager liquid extract, light dry malt\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eYeast:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mangrove Jack's M36 Liberty Bell Ale\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFermentation temp:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 to 23 degrees C\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eOriginal gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.034\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinal gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.008\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner\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\u003eBeermakers Lager liquid extract\u003c\/strong\u003e — clean, light fermentable base\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLight dry malt\u003c\/strong\u003e — additional fermentables without adding colour or heaviness\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEclipse hop pellets\u003c\/strong\u003e — used both as a steep addition for bitterness and a dry hop for aroma\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMangrove Jack's M36 Liberty Bell Ale yeast\u003c\/strong\u003e — clean fermentation and good clarification at ale temperatures\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 Sweet mandarin, citrus peel, and a touch of pine from Eclipse hops\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale gold with a firm white head\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zesty citrus and tropical hop character over a light, clean malt base. Finishes crisp\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light to medium body. Refreshing and easy to drink\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean and dry with lingering Eclipse citrus\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's tip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt 3.4% ABV the fermentation is fast and the yeast drops out quickly. Give it the full 7 to 10 days in the fermenter even if gravity appears stable early — rushing the dry hop into still-active fermentation blows off the Eclipse aroma before it has a chance to dissolve into the beer. Add the dry hops on day 4 to 5, leave for 3 days, then bottle. M36 flocculates well at the lower end of the fermentation range — 18 to 19 degrees C gives the clearest result.\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":41995008081997,"sku":"35983","price":54.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/35983.jpg?v=1754074926","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-sunset-eclipse-session-ale-mid-strength","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}