This Fool’s Gold 5 Gallon beer recipe kit helps you brew a golden stout with rich coffee and chocolate flavor, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a deceptively light appearance that’s ready to drink in about four weeks.
Makes 5 gallons (approximately 48–54 bottles) of Fool’s Gold
Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
Golden stout with roasted coffee and chocolate notes
Clean, and the coffee leads
The roast in this beer arrives from coffee beans and cacao nibs rather than from dark malt, so the base stays golden and light. US-05 gives you a dependable dry finish and no flavor of its own, which leaves that coffee character defined against the smoked malt and oats.
Ferment at 64-79°F
Attenuation 78-82%
Flocculation Medium
Clean and neutral
Clean, with a little more lift
This strain pushes hop and aroma character forward, giving the Willamette and Goldings more presence underneath the coffee and cacao. It responds to temperature more than the others here, so that alone lets you dial the finish from full to sharp.
Ferment at 64-73°F
Attenuation 73-85%
Flocculation Medium
Clean and hop forward
Fullest, and roundest under the roast
The least attenuative option here, and its distinct malt character gives the coffee and cacao a sweeter base to sit on. Extremely flocculent, so it drops bright fast. It benefits from a diacetyl rest before packaging.
Ferment at 64-72°F
Attenuation 67-71%
Flocculation High
Malty and sweet finishing
Body for a golden stout
Darkness was built to complement roasted flavors, and it gives the coffee and cacao the body they need to land as real roast rather than a garnish. It handles the gravity without effort.
Ferment at 62-72°F
Attenuation 71-75%
Flocculation Medium
Made for roast and caramel
✅ Beginner-friendly with step-by-step brewing support
Flavor Profile & Beer Style
Fool’s Gold is a golden stout that challenges expectations. Pale smoked malts and flaked oats create a full, creamy body and subtle smokiness without darkening the beer’s color.
Roasted aromas and flavors come from Ecuadorian cacao nibs and small-batch Nicaraguan coffee beans, delivering notes of chocolate, coffee, and toast while maintaining a deceptively light golden appearance.
What’s Included in the Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Fool’s Gold at home:
6.25 lb Pilsen Dry Malt Extract
Willamette (Bittering) Hop Packet
Goldings (Aroma) Hop Packet
Steeping Grains
Cacao Nibs
Coffee Beans
Grain Steeping Bag
Your choice of yeast (dry yeast, liquid yeast, or no yeast if you have your own)
Note: Brewing equipment is not included. This kit is designed for brewers who already own a 5-gallon brewing setup.
How the Brewing Process Works
Brewing your Fool’s Gold follows a specialty stout brewing process:
Brew: Steep specialty grains, boil the wort, and add hops according to the recipe
Ferment: Ferment with American ale yeast until clean and fully develope
Optional Step: Add cacao nibs and coffee beans during fermentation as instructed
Enjoy: Ready to drink in about 4 weeks
Careful timing of the coffee and cacao additions helps balance roasted flavor without overpowering the base beer.
New to Liquid Yeast?
Liquid yeast can deliver excellent fermentation performance and a wider range of strain options, but it’s a living, perishable product that requires a little extra care.
Liquid yeast may arrive warm. Ice packs help reduce heat exposure but do not guarantee cold arrival.
Refrigerate it when received and plan to brew as soon as possible.
We recommend adding an insulated mailer + ice pack to liquid yeast orders.
During May–September, dry yeast is strongly recommended due to higher shipping temperatures.
Liquid yeast is final sale and cannot be replaced due to heat exposure during transit.
Homebrewers who enjoy brewing with coffee and cacao
Drinkers who prefer rich flavor in a lighter-colored beer
Because it’s brewed in larger volume, this kit is a great choice for sharing a unique conversation-starter beer or enjoying over multiple pours.
Fool's Gold Specs
Batch Size: 5 gallons
ABV: ~5.7%
Style: Golden Stout
Bitterness: Low to moderate
Color: Golden
Recommended Dry Yeast: American ale yeast (SafAle US-05)
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Quality You Can Trust.
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Fool's Gold 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
From $54.50
What You'll Brew
Fool’s Gold Golden Stout
A pale golden stout that delivers rich coffee and chocolate flavor, supported by smoked malts and oats for a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel that challenges expectations from the first pour.
What's Inside the Fool's Gold 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Fool’s Gold at home:
6.25 lb Pilsen Dry Malt Extract
Willamette (Bittering) Hop Packet
Goldings (Aroma) Hop Packet
Steeping Grains
Cacao Nibs
Coffee Beans
Grain Steeping Bag
Your choice of yeast (dry yeast, liquid yeast, or no yeast if you have your own)
Note: Brewing equipment is not included. This kit is designed for brewers who already own a 5-gallon brewing setup.
Make Your Next Batch with the Fool's Gold Beer Recipe Kit
This kit lets you explore how malt selection and specialty ingredients shape flavor without relying on dark color. Brew a beer that looks light but drinks like a stout, perfect for surprising friends and expanding your brewing skills.
Easy Steps to Making Fool's Gold Beer
Make Your Beer Look As Good As It Tastes.
You brewed something worth showing off. Starting at $4.99, give your bottles the finishing touch with our beer labels. Perfect for sharing your latest batch, gifting a few, or stocking your fridge with pride. Shop matching labels
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Want Extra Guidance? We've Got You Covered.
New to homebrewing or want extra confidence on brew day? Our Guide to Craft Brewing walks you through every step of the process—from brewing and fermentation to bottling and conditioning. It’s written in plain language and designed to help you brew great beer on your very first batch.
