Rich, Malty Red Ale with Caramel and Toffee Flavours
Brew a smooth amber-red ale with rich caramel and toffee malt flavours, balanced bitterness and a slightly dry finish.
Brick Road Red Ale is a 1.5kg hopped malt extract beer kit made with red ale malt. Its malt-forward character makes it enjoyable without additional hops, while a restrained traditional hop addition can provide extra floral and spicy aroma.
The kit includes ale yeast and makes approximately 23 litres of finished beer, with recipe options ranging from approximately 2.6% to 4.8% ABV.
Why You'll Love It
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Rich caramel and toffee malt flavours
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Attractive amber-red colour
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Balanced medium bitterness
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Smooth malt-forward character
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Slightly dry and refreshing finish
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Full-strength, mid-strength and lower-alcohol options
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Ale yeast included
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Makes approximately 23 litres
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Easy malt extract brewing method
Beer Profile
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Beer style: Red ale
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Colour: Amber red
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Colour rating: Approximately 20 EBC
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Bitterness: Medium
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Bitterness rating: Approximately 27 IBU
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Malt: Red ale malt
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Original gravity: Approximately 1.038
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Final gravity: Approximately 1.008
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Yeast: Ale yeast
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Batch size: Approximately 23 litres
These figures are based on a 23-litre batch brewed with 1kg of dextrose or brewing sugar.
What's Included?
Each Brick Road Red Ale kit contains:
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1.5kg of hopped red ale malt extract
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Ale yeast under the lid
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Brewing and recipe instructions
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Full-strength, mid-strength and lower-alcohol recipe options
Additional fermentables and optional hops are sold separately.
What Else Will I Need?
The standard 23-litre recipe requires:
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1kg of dextrose or brewing sugar
You can adjust the fermentables using the recipe options printed on the can to change the beer’s alcohol level, malt flavour and body.
Using dried or liquid malt extract instead of dextrose will generally produce a fuller-bodied and maltier red ale.
Recommended Hop Additions
Additional hops are not required because Brick Road Red Ale is designed as a malt-forward beer.
For a little more sweet, floral and spicy hop aroma, consider adding approximately 15g of:
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East Kent Goldings
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Fuggle
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Magnum
Keep the hop addition restrained to avoid overpowering the caramel and toffee malt character.
How to Brew
Clean and sanitise your fermenter and all equipment that will contact the beer.
Warm the unopened can in hot water to soften the malt extract. Add the contents to your sanitised fermenter with your selected fermentables and approximately 2 litres of hot water.
Mix thoroughly, then top up with cool water to your selected batch volume. Once the wort has reached a suitable fermentation temperature, add the included ale yeast.
Ferment until the specific gravity remains stable for several days. Add any optional hops toward the end of fermentation, then bottle or keg the finished beer.
Allow the beer sufficient time to condition so the caramel, toffee and hop flavours can combine.
Always follow the complete brewing instructions supplied with the kit.
How Much Beer Does the Kit Make?
Brick Road Red Ale is designed to make approximately 23 litres of finished beer.
The final alcohol content will depend on the fermentables used and the finished batch volume.
How Strong Is Brick Road Red Ale?
The recipe options allow the beer to be brewed from approximately 2.6% to 4.8% ABV.
This provides the flexibility to make a lower-alcohol, mid-strength or full-strength red ale from the same kit.
Does the Kit Include Yeast?
Yes. A suitable ale yeast is included under the lid.
Alternative yeast options include Fermentis SafAle S-04 or Lallemand Windsor. These English-style ale yeasts complement the beer’s caramel, toffee and malt-forward character.
What Does Brick Road Red Ale Taste Like?
Brick Road Red Ale produces a smooth, malt-forward beer with noticeable caramel and toffee flavours.
The medium bitterness helps balance the malt sweetness, while the slightly dry finish keeps the finished beer refreshing and easy to drink.
Does Brick Road Red Ale Need Extra Hops?
No. The malt extract is already hopped, and the beer can be brewed without adding extra hops.
An optional 15g addition of East Kent Goldings, Fuggle or Magnum can provide subtle floral, sweet and spicy hop notes.
Is Brick Road Red Ale an Irish Red Ale?
Brick Road Red Ale shares several characteristics with an Irish-style red ale, including its amber-red colour, caramel malt flavour and balanced bitterness.
However, it is best described more broadly as a malt-forward red ale rather than a strict traditional Irish Red Ale recipe.
Can I Use Malt Extract Instead of Dextrose?
Yes. Replacing some or all of the dextrose with suitable dried or liquid malt extract will generally create more body, malt flavour and mouthfeel.
Dextrose produces a lighter and drier result, while malt extract produces a richer and fuller red ale.
Is This Beer Kit Suitable for Beginners?
Yes. Brick Road Red Ale uses a straightforward malt extract brewing process and includes the required ale yeast and brewing instructions.
The standard dextrose recipe is suitable for new brewers, while experienced brewers can customise it with malt extract, traditional hops or a different ale yeast.
Why Buy from Border Brewing Supplies?
Border Brewing Supplies stocks Brick Road beer kits, brewing sugar, malt extract, hops, yeast and equipment for home brewers throughout Tweed Heads, the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Brisbane and the wider Queensland–New South Wales border region.
Shop online for Australia-wide delivery or select Click & Collect from our Tweed Heads South home brew shop.
Recommended Products
For the best brewing results, consider adding:
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Dextrose brewing sugar
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Light or amber dried malt extract
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East Kent Goldings or Fuggle hops
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Fermentis SafAle S-04
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Lallemand Windsor Ale Yeast
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StellarSan no-rinse sanitiser
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Carbonation drops
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Beer bottles or kegging equipment
