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Recipe Kit Tombstone Strong Pale Ale
The Tombstone Strong Pale Ale is an Australian Pale Ale built for brewers who want more — more hop character, more body, and more presence in the glass.
Makes 21L , about 28 bottles
5-5.5% ABV , Tombstone Strong Pale Ale
Extract
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Recipe Kit Tombstone Strong Pale Ale
Sale price$79.50
The details
Ella brings strong floral character and tropical fruit aromas — pineapple, passionfruit, and a distinctively spicy finish. Vic Secret contributes grapefruit and pine resin that grounds the aroma and keeps it from sitting entirely in the sweet tropical register. Together they produce a layered, aromatic hop profile that's unmistakably Australian.
The malt bill is heavier than a standard pale ale to match the increased hop load — which means the body and bitterness come into balance at the higher ABV rather than either dominating. All ingredients come pre-measured for a 21-litre batch.
The malt bill is heavier than a standard pale ale to match the increased hop load — which means the body and bitterness come into balance at the higher ABV rather than either dominating. All ingredients come pre-measured for a 21-litre batch.
The Tombstone Strong Pale Ale is an Australian Pale Ale built for brewers who want more — more hop character, more body, and more presence in the glass. Brewed with a combination of Ella and Vic Secret hops, it delivers strong floral aromas, fresh pineapple and passionfruit, and a pine-resin backbone, all underpinned by a substantial malt bill that gives the beer real weight and drinkability at 5.0–5.5% ABV. Bold without being aggressive. The kind of pale ale you pour and mean it.
Ella and Vic Secret — why this hop combination works
Ella brings strong floral character and tropical fruit aromas — pineapple, passionfruit, and a distinctively spicy finish. Vic Secret contributes grapefruit and pine resin that grounds the aroma and keeps it from sitting entirely in the sweet tropical register. Together they produce a layered, aromatic hop profile that's unmistakably Australian.
The malt bill is heavier than a standard pale ale to match the increased hop load — which means the body and bitterness come into balance at the higher ABV rather than either dominating. All ingredients come pre-measured for a 21-litre batch.
What's in the box
- Malt extract base with adjuncts (heavier grain bill to match the increased hop character and 5%+ ABV)
- Ella hops (strong floral, tropical fruit — pineapple, passionfruit, spicy finish)
- Vic Secret hops (grapefruit, pine resin — grounds the aroma and adds complexity)
- Brewery-grade yeast (handles the stronger fermentation reliably)
- Full step-by-step brew day instructions with all measurements
Technical specs
- Style: Australian Pale Ale (strong)
- ABV: 5.0–5.5%
- IBU: 25 (balanced clean bitterness)
- EBC: 6–8 (golden)
- Original Gravity: 1.045–1.048
- Final Gravity: 1.010–1.013
- Fermentation temp: 18–23°C
- Batch volume: 21 litres (approx. 55 × 330ml stubbies or 28 × 750ml longnecks)
- Method: Malt extract kit
- Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
- Ready to drink: 4–5 weeks from brew day (benefits from the extra conditioning time)
Flavour profile
- Aroma: Strong floral character — pineapple, passionfruit, and spicy notes from Ella; grapefruit and pine resin from Vic Secret
- Appearance: Golden with a clean white head
- Flavour: Layered hop character over a substantial, smooth malt base — more presence than a standard pale ale
- Mouthfeel: Smooth medium body — fuller than session-strength alternatives
- Finish: Clean bitterness with a spicy hop aftertaste
Who this kit suits
- Brewers who've graduated from standard pale ales and want more hop presence and ABV
- Ella and Vic Secret fans — this kit puts both varieties through their paces
- Anyone who likes their pale ales with real body and character rather than a sessionable lightness
- A good comparison brew next to the Furph — same Vic Secret base, very different result
Hamish's verdict
At 5%+ ABV, the Tombstone benefits from an extra week of bottle conditioning compared to a standard pale ale. Don't rush it — the malt body needs time to round out and the hop character integrates better with a few extra days of patience. It's also worth fermenting at the cooler end of the range: 18–19°C keeps the finish clean and lets the Ella and Vic Secret do their thing without competing esters.
Reviewed by the AHB Brewing Team — June 2026. Last updated: June 2026.
What's In The Kit
- Malt extract base with adjuncts: heavier grain bill to match the increased hop character and 5%+ ABV
- Ella hops: strong floral, tropical fruit — pineapple, passionfruit, spicy finish
- Vic Secret hops: grapefruit, pine resin — grounds the aroma and adds complexity
- Brewery-grade yeast: handles the stronger fermentation reliably
- Full step-by-step brew day instructions with all measurements
Brew Specs
- Style: Australian Pale Ale: strong
- ABV: 5.0–5.5%
- IBU: 25: balanced clean bitterness
- EBC: 6–8: golden
- Original Gravity: 1.045–1.048
- Final Gravity: 1.010–1.013
- Fermentation temp: 18–23°C
- Batch volume: 21 litres: approx. 55 × 330ml stubbies or 28 × 750ml longnecks
- Method: Malt extract kit
- Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
- Ready to drink: 4–5 weeks from brew day: benefits from the extra conditioning time
Flavour Profile
Aroma: Strong floral character — pineapple, passionfruit, and spicy notes from Ella; grapefruit and pine resin from Vic Secret
Appearance: Golden with a clean white head
Flavour: Layered hop character over a substantial, smooth malt base — more presence than a standard pale ale
Mouthfeel: Smooth medium body — fuller than session-strength alternatives
Finish: Clean bitterness with a spicy hop aftertaste
Appearance: Golden with a clean white head
Flavour: Layered hop character over a substantial, smooth malt base — more presence than a standard pale ale
Mouthfeel: Smooth medium body — fuller than session-strength alternatives
Finish: Clean bitterness with a spicy hop aftertaste
Who it's for
Brewers who've graduated from standard pale ales and want more hop presence and ABV
Ella and Vic Secret fans — this kit puts both varieties through their paces
Anyone who likes their pale ales with real body and character rather than a sessionable lightness
A good comparison brew next to the Furph — same Vic Secret base, very different result
Ella and Vic Secret fans — this kit puts both varieties through their paces
Anyone who likes their pale ales with real body and character rather than a sessionable lightness
A good comparison brew next to the Furph — same Vic Secret base, very different result
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 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.
Can I add extra hops to make it more aromatic?
Yes. Dry hopping late in primary fermentation adds aroma without increasing bitterness. As a starting point add 20 to 50g of pellet hops on day 4 to 5, leave for 3 to 5 days, then bottle. Galaxy and Mosaic work particularly well in pale ale and XPA styles.
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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