Premium All Grain Recipe Kit

Brew a smooth, malt-forward traditional Irish ale with the Irish Red Ale All Grain Recipe Kit from Border Brewing Supplies.

This recipe combines Voyager VELORIA Schooner malt with carefully selected caramel and roasted malts to produce layers of caramel, toffee, toasted bread and subtle roasted character. The small roasted-malt additions create the distinctive deep amber-red colour without making the beer taste burnt or overly dark.

East Kent Goldings provides gentle earthy, floral and lightly spicy hop character, balancing the malt while allowing the caramel and toasted flavours to remain prominent.

Fermentis SafAle S-04 English Ale Yeast provides subtle fruity esters, strong flocculation and a clean, slightly dry finish.

At approximately 4.2% ABV and 21 IBU, this Irish Red Ale is smooth, balanced and easy to drink, with enough malt complexity to remain flavourful without becoming heavy or overly sweet.

Every Border Brewing recipe kit is freshly crushed and packed to order using quality brewing ingredients.

Why You'll Love This Kit

✔ Traditional malt-forward Irish Red Ale

✔ Caramel, toffee and toasted bread character

✔ Deep amber-red colour with a creamy off-white head

✔ Traditional East Kent Goldings hops

✔ Smooth body with gentle bitterness

✔ Includes Fermentis SafAle S-04 English Ale Yeast

✔ Freshly crushed and packed to order

✔ Makes approximately 23 litres

✔ Suitable for Grainfather, BrewZilla, Guten, RoboBrew and BIAB

Flavour Profile

Irish Red Ale pours a deep amber-red colour with a creamy off-white head and an inviting malt-forward aroma.

Voyager VELORIA Schooner malt provides the clean base, while CARARED® and CARAMUNICH® malts contribute caramel, toffee, toasted bread and light dried-fruit character.

Small additions of CARAFA® Special Type 3 and roast barley create the distinctive red colour and add a subtle roasted dryness without introducing harsh burnt flavours.

East Kent Goldings contributes restrained earthy, floral and lightly spicy notes. The result is a smooth and balanced Irish ale with caramel malt flavour, gentle bitterness and a clean, slightly dry finish.

Style: Irish Red Ale

Appearance: Deep amber-red with a creamy off-white head

Aroma: Caramel, toffee, toasted bread and subtle fruity esters

Flavour: Caramel and toasted malt with light roasted character

Body: Medium and smooth

Bitterness: Low to moderate and balanced

Finish: Clean, malty and slightly dry

What's Included

Your recipe kit includes the complete grain bill, hops and yeast required by the recipe.

Included:

• 4.75kg Freshly Crushed Grain

• 50g East Kent Goldings Hops

• 1 x Fermentis SafAle S-04 English Ale Yeast

• Complete Brewfather Recipe

• Full Brewing Specifications

The complete 50g of East Kent Goldings hops is used across the two boil additions. Follow the supplied Brewfather recipe for the correct quantities and addition times.

Additional products such as Whirlfloc, Servomyces Yeast Nutrient and Water Chemistry Salts are available separately if required.

Recipe Specifications

Complete Brewfather Recipe

Your Brewfather recipe includes:

• Complete grain bill

• Mash and mash-out schedule

• Mash and sparge water volumes

• Recommended water profile

• Boil additions

• Hop quantities and timing

• Yeast details

• Fermentation schedule

• Carbonation target

• Brewing specifications

View the complete Brewfather recipe: Irish Red Ale

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Irish Red Ale?

Irish Red Ale is a traditional malt-focused beer known for its deep amber-red colour, smooth caramel flavour and subtle roasted finish.

It is generally less bitter and hop-forward than an American Amber Ale, with the malt character remaining the main focus.

This recipe is approximately 4.2% ABV with 21 IBU, making it flavourful while remaining smooth and easy to drink.

What does Irish Red Ale taste like?

This Irish Red Ale features:

• Caramel

• Toffee

• Toasted bread

• Light dried fruit

• Subtle roasted malt

• Gentle earthy and floral hops

The finish is clean, balanced and slightly dry rather than overly sweet.

What creates the red colour?

The deep amber-red colour comes from a combination of CARARED®, CARAMUNICH®, CARAFA® Special Type 3 and roast barley.

The dark malts are used in small amounts to create colour and subtle roasted character without making the beer taste like a stout or porter.

What hops are used?

This recipe uses 50g of East Kent Goldings.

East Kent Goldings is a traditional English hop that provides gentle earthy, floral, herbal and lightly spicy character.

Its restrained hop flavour complements the caramel malt profile without overpowering it.

Do I use the complete 50g of hops?

Yes. The complete 50g is used across two boil additions:

• 25g at 60 minutes

• 25g at 5 minutes

Follow the supplied Brewfather recipe for the correct quantities and timing.

Is Irish Red Ale very bitter?

No. This recipe is calculated at approximately 21 IBU with a BU/GU ratio of 0.47.

The bitterness balances the caramel malt sweetness but remains smooth and restrained.

Is the grain freshly crushed?

Yes. The grain is freshly crushed before collection or dispatch unless otherwise requested.

Please allow a minimum of two business hours when ordering freshly crushed recipe kits for Click & Collect.

Which brewing systems is this recipe suitable for?

This recipe is suitable for:

• Grainfather

• BrewZilla

• Guten

• RoboBrew

• Brew in a Bag systems

• Traditional three-vessel systems

The recipe is calculated at 70% brewhouse efficiency and can be adjusted in Brewfather to suit your equipment.

What mash temperature should I use?

The recipe uses the following mash schedule:

• 67°C for 60 minutes

• Mash out at 76°C for 10 minutes

The 67°C mash temperature helps produce a smooth, medium-bodied beer with enough residual malt character to support the caramel and toasted flavours.

What fermentation temperature should I use?

The supplied fermentation profile begins at 18°C before increasing to 21°C:

• 18°C for five days

• 21°C for approximately five days

Always confirm fermentation is complete with stable gravity readings before cold crashing or packaging.

Does this kit include yeast?

Yes. The kit includes one packet of Fermentis SafAle S-04 English Ale Yeast.

S-04 provides rapid fermentation, excellent flocculation and subtle English-style fruity esters that complement the malt character.

Why is rolled barley included?

Rolled barley contributes body, mouthfeel and head retention.

It helps produce the smooth texture and creamy off-white head expected from a traditional Irish Red Ale.

Can beginners brew this Irish Red Ale?

Yes. This is a suitable recipe for brewers who have completed at least one all grain batch.

The mash schedule and hop additions are straightforward, while S-04 is a dependable and highly flocculent dry yeast.

Do I need anything else?

For the best results, consider adding:

• Whirlfloc

• Servomyces Yeast Nutrient

• Water Chemistry Salts

• Brewing Cleaner

• No-rinse Sanitiser

These products are available separately.

Why Buy from Border Brewing Supplies?

Border Brewing Supplies freshly prepares recipe kits from our homebrew shop in Tweed Heads South.

Order online for delivery across Australia or choose Click & Collect if you are located around Tweed Heads, the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Brisbane or the Queensland–New South Wales border.

Recommended Products

• Whirlfloc Tablets

• Servomyces Yeast Nutrient

• Brewing Salts

• Sodium Percarbonate or PBW Cleaner

• No-rinse Sanitiser