Before the big breweries got hold of Fat Yak and watered it down for the masses, the original 2009 Matilda Bay Brewery recipe was something special — a copper amber Australian pale ale with a genuinely distinctive hop character. Our Recipe Kit Fat Yak is built from that original recipe: Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand paired with Cascade from the USA, producing a fruity and spicy aroma with a subtle herbal quality and a lingering, satisfying bitterness. It took many batches to nail the original hop levels, but the result is a beer that captures what made Fat Yak great before it changed. If you’ve been chasing that flavour, this is the kit.

Why brewers love this Fat Yak clone kit

Nelson Sauvin is an unusual and distinctive hop — its gooseberry, grape, and herbal character sets it apart from the more common citrus-forward American varieties. Paired with Cascade, it produces a complex, interesting hop profile that’s hard to find in most commercial beers today. The copper amber colour comes from the malt bill, and the result is a smooth, full-flavoured pale ale that’s refreshing without being one-dimensional. It’s the kind of beer that makes people ask what they’re drinking.

Brewing Notes

• Style: Australian craft Pale Ale
• Fermentation Range: 18 - 23°C
• Colour EBC: 30
• IBUs: 25 - 30 balanced with a moderate satisfying bitterness
• Original Gravity: 1.044 – 1.046
• Final Gravity: 1.012 – 1.014
• ABV: 4.6. – 4.8%
• Volume 21lt
• Recipe Style: Malt Extract Beer Kit

Tasting Notes

• Hop Aroma & Flavour: Fruity and spice notes. Balanced and flavouful   
• Appearance: Copper amber 
• Mouthfeel: Refreshing smooth drinking experience 

Hop Additions

• Nelson Sauvin (NZ)
• Cascade (USA)

Recipe Kit Fat Yak — FAQ

Is this a clone of the original Fat Yak recipe?

This kit is built from the original 2009 Matilda Bay Fat Yak recipe before subsequent reformulations changed the character of the commercial beer.

What makes Nelson Sauvin hops different?

Nelson Sauvin is a New Zealand hop variety with a distinctive gooseberry, grape, and herbal character that sets it apart from more common American hops. Paired with Cascade, it produces a complex, interesting hop profile that’s quite different from the citrus-forward pale ales that dominate the market.

How much beer does this kit make?

This kit produces approximately 21 litres — enough for around 28 x 750ml longnecks or 55 x 330ml stubbies.

Is this kit suitable for someone new to home brewing?

Yes — this is a malt extract kit with a straightforward process. All ingredients come pre-measured and full step-by-step instructions are included. The copper amber colour comes naturally from the malt, and the hop addition is simple. Someone new to home brewing will find this very manageable.

How long does this beer take to be ready?

Around 10–14 days in the fermenter, then 1–2 weeks in the bottle for carbonation. Like most pale ales, this one is best enjoyed fresh while the hop character is at its brightest.