How To Brew Australian Sparkling Ale: Down Under’s Crisp Carbonation and Aussie Aromas

Australian Sparkling Ale is Australia’s very indigenous beer style. Much like America’s cream ale and California common, the Australian sparkling Ale has its roots deep in its own native land.

Unfortunately, most of Australia’s brewing history pre-European colonization is completely lost.

Due to Australia’s remoteness factor, indigenous grains and fermentables such as honey were used extensively.

The Difficulty of Brewing in Australia

Documentation of Australia’s brewing history after British settlement in 1788 is actually much better. However, the same can’t be said to England’s government.

Basically, England saw brewing beer “as a less intoxicating alternative to harder spirits.”

Undependable supplies and an extremely hot environment made it difficult. Just the thought of trying to brew English style beers without any refrigeration is laughable at best. As a result, Australia fell in the subpar category when it came to brewing beer, even with government support.

Hard Times Follow

It’s no surprise that many breweries were closing after a few short years. Practices such as adding tobacco, copper sulphate, and cocculus indicus.

Cocculus indicus is a bitter poison which adds bitterness to a beer and gives the drinker a stronger feeling of intoxication.

As a result, many locals were choosing imported beers instead of the local beers that could potentially kill them.

The New Style of the Land Down Under

As beer historian, Martyn Cornell, points out, the Australian summers were so warm that lagers took the land down under by storm. Still restricted to ferment cold, the idea of lagering was still very much a problem.

A new ale that was lighter in color and body than any British ale was the way around this difficult situation. A bottle conditioned, highly carbonated beer gained the descriptor, “sparkling.”

The high carbonation gave the impression of lightness and the yeast kept the body medium and added smoothness.

Unfortunately, this ale was unable to overtake the popularity of the lager. Cooper’s Brewing was founded in 1862.

There are rumors of a recipe floating around at that time. After 150 years, the brewery still produces a solid example of Australia’s only beer style.

Style Profile for Australian Sparkling Ale

Appearance

Color ranges from golden yellow to copper amber. Foam is large with excellent retention. Outstanding clarity when poured gently.

Aroma

Hop aroma is that of herbs, earthiness, or resin. Malt will range from sweet to grainy with no caramel notes. Easters of apple and pear, and even banana. There may be some slight yeast and/or sulfur aroma.

Mouthfeel

Medium to moderately full bodied beer. High carbonation. Crisp and spritizy. No residual sweetness. There can be possible alcohol warmth,

Taste

Low to medium maltiness with no caramel flavors. Hop bitterness and flavors range from medium to moderately high with no floral notes. Fruity esters can range from low to high. Dry finish to the beer.

Food Pairing

This beer pairs well with battered seafood, spicy fried chicken, Asian or Thai dishes, and lamb chops. Also pairs well with a light salad, brie cheese, and a light fruit tart.

Tips for Brewing your own Australian Sparkling Ale

Grain

Before you commit to making your own Australian Sparkling Ale, ask yourself how authentic do you want to make this beer.

At the very least, try and find some Australian base malt. Pilsner malt such as Joe White’s Pilsner malt or pale ale malt from Joe White’s Traditional Ale.

English pale malt could be a solid choice too. It is still authentic since it was traditional to use it during colonial times.

Some caramel malt is also added. If you are using Pilsner malt as a base grain, then add up to 10% of caramel malt. If you are using pale malt as your base grain, use only 5% of the caramel malt.

Joe White malting does have some caramel malts that can be used, but Simpsons and Crisp also make good cara-malts as well.

Hops

If the grain is rather difficult to keep authentic, then the hops should be your target for authenticity.

Australian hops such as Pride of Ringwood is a traditional choice. Super Pride, Topaz, Galaxy, or Australian Cascade all will work fine here too.

Yeast

Since this beer is bottle conditioned, the easiest way to find good yeast is to harvest it from Cooper’s Sparkling Ale.

Harvesting is done by sanitizing inside of the bottle opening and pouring an inch of liquid into a glass without rousing the yeast.

After that, you can rouse the yeast by swirling the bottle. Pour a couple of inches of cooled sparkling ale wort into a bottle, cover with sanitized aluminum foil, and let it sit for 24 hours at 75°F (23°C).

After 24 hours, pour the reactivated yeast into your fermentor. Using two or three bottles of Cooper’s will increase the chances for success here. White Labs also makes an Australian Ale yeast, WLP009. Safale S-04 and Danstar Nottingham or Windsor will work well.

Australian Sparkling Ale By the Numbers

• Color Range: 4 – 7 SRM
• Original Gravity: 1.038 – 1.050 OG
• Final Gravity: 1.004 – 1.006 FG
• IBU Range: 20 – 35
• ABV Range: 4.5 – 6.0%

See Also: Best Australian Beer

Australian Sparkling Ale Recipe

Grain

• 50% 5 lbs Marish Otter
• 40% 4 lb 2-Row
• 5% 8oz Crystal 45 Thomas Faucet
• 5% 8oz White Wheat Malt

Hops

• .5oz Pacific Jade – Boil 45 min
• .5oz Galaxy – Boil 10 min
• .5oz Galaxy – Flameout
• .5oz Pacific Jade – Flameout

Yeast

• 1.0 pkg British Ale Yeast WYeast #1098

Directions

1. Mash at 152°F (66°C) for 60 mins
2. Boil for 60 mins

Save this for Later

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Australian Sparkling Ale differ from other Australian ales?

The Australian Sparkling Ale stands out due to its unique carbonation and crisp flavor profile.

Unlike other Australian ales, the sparkling variant is notably effervescent, which is achieved through a specific brewing process detailed in the Australian Sparkling Ale Recipe.

Its distinct taste and carbonation level make it a beloved choice among Australian beer enthusiasts.

What specific Australian Ale Yeast is recommended for brewing Australian Sparkling Ale?

For brewing an authentic Australian Sparkling Ale, using an Australian Ale Yeast is crucial. This particular yeast strain contributes to the beer’s unique flavor and clarity.

In the recipe on Home Brew Academy, a good quality Australian Ale Yeast is recommended to achieve the desired taste and texture synonymous with traditional Australian Sparkling Ale.

How do Australian Beer Sizes impact the brewing process of Australian Sparkling Ale?

Australian Beer Sizes are unique and may impact the quantity of ingredients used in the Australian Sparkling Ale recipe.

When following home brew recipes from Australia, it’s essential to adjust the ingredient measurements according to the beer size you aim to brew. This ensures the right balance of flavors and the characteristic effervescence of Australian Sparkling Ale.

Can I substitute the Australian hops ingredient with other types of hops in the Australian Sparkling Ale recipe?

While the Australian hops ingredient is preferred for authenticity and the distinctive flavor it imparts to the ale, substitutions are possible.

However, substituting Australian hops may alter the taste and aroma of the finished product. It’s advisable to choose hops with similar flavor profiles to maintain the integrity of the Australian Sparkling Ale.

Are there other Aussie Homebrew recipes similar to the Australian Sparkling Ale Recipe?

Yes, there are several Aussie homebrew recipes that beer enthusiasts can explore. For instance, the Coopers Pale Ale All Grain Recipe and other all grain beer recipes from Australia offer a taste of the diverse beer culture in the region.

These recipes provide a fantastic opportunity for homebrewers to explore the rich and varied flavors of Australian ales and beers.