{"product_id":"recipe-kit-tombstone-strong-pale-ale","title":"Recipe Kit Tombstone Strong Pale Ale","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eElla and Vic Secret — why this hop combination works\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eElla 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eMalt extract base with adjuncts (heavier grain bill to match the increased hop character and 5%+ ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eElla hops (strong floral, tropical fruit — pineapple, passionfruit, spicy finish)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eVic Secret hops (grapefruit, pine resin — grounds the aroma and adds complexity)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBrewery-grade yeast (handles the stronger fermentation reliably)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFull step-by-step brew day instructions with all measurements\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical specs\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eStyle: Australian Pale Ale (strong)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eABV: 5.0–5.5%\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIBU: 25 (balanced clean bitterness)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEBC: 6–8 (golden)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eOriginal Gravity: 1.045–1.048\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFinal Gravity: 1.010–1.013\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFermentation temp: 18–23°C\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBatch volume: 21 litres (approx. 55 × 330ml stubbies or 28 × 750ml longnecks)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMethod: Malt extract kit\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDifficulty: Beginner–Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eReady to drink: 4–5 weeks from brew day (benefits from the extra conditioning time)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlavour profile\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cem\u003eAroma:\u003c\/em\u003e Strong floral character — pineapple, passionfruit, and spicy notes from Ella; grapefruit and pine resin from Vic Secret\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cem\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/em\u003e Golden with a clean white head\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cem\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/em\u003e Layered hop character over a substantial, smooth malt base — more presence than a standard pale ale\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cem\u003eMouthfeel:\u003c\/em\u003e Smooth medium body — fuller than session-strength alternatives\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cem\u003eFinish:\u003c\/em\u003e Clean bitterness with a spicy hop aftertaste\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWho this kit suits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eBrewers who've graduated from standard pale ales and want more hop presence and ABV\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eElla and Vic Secret fans — this kit puts both varieties through their paces\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAnyone who likes their pale ales with real body and character rather than a sessionable lightness\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eA good comparison brew next to the Furph — same Vic Secret base, very different result\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHamish's verdict\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt 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.\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":41994962174029,"sku":"35963","price":79.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0635\/8306\/0045\/files\/35963.jpg?v=1754071545","url":"https:\/\/www.australianhomebrewing.com.au\/products\/recipe-kit-tombstone-strong-pale-ale","provider":"Australian Home Brewing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}