BJCP 27 · Historical Beer
Kentucky Common
A dark, light-bodied ale from Louisville with corn and color malts: toasty, low in bitterness, highly carbonated and meant to be drunk fresh.
Kentucky Common by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.0 – 5.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 15 – 30 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 11 – 20 SRM22–39 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.044 – 1.055on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.018on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Kentucky Common is like
A dark-colored ale that's light in flavor and very drinkable, with some corn and a touch of caramel and soft toast without becoming roasty. It was brewed quickly and served very young in Louisville bars.
Appearance
Amber to brown with reddish highlights, usually clear. Moderate cream-colored head.
Aroma
Malt with grainy notes, soft caramel and light toast; there may be a sweet corn background. Low to moderate hops, floral or spicy. Low esters.
Flavor
Grainy, caramel malt with a light toastiness that adds some dryness, with no burnt flavors. Low to moderate bitterness and a fairly dry, clean finish. Neither sour nor lactic.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium body. High, bubbly carbonation.
Where Kentucky Common comes from
It was brewed in and around Louisville (Kentucky) from the mid-19th century and was the cheap beer of the working class, served from the keg just days after fermentation. It disappeared with Prohibition.
Ingredients
Six-row pale malt, 20 to 30% corn, some caramel malt and a small percentage of black malt for color. Traditional American hops like Cluster and perhaps a noble hop for aroma. A clean ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Kentucky Common at home
If you use corn grits, cook them first, or use flaked corn directly in the mash, at around 65–67 °C (149–153 °F). Ferment with a clean ale yeast at 17–19 °C (63–66 °F) and don't age it long: it's meant to be drunk young. Carbonate high, around 2.6–2.8 volumes of CO₂. The classic mistake is overdoing the black malt so it ends up tasting like a porter.
Food pairing
Fried chicken, barbecue ribs and burgers.
Glassware: Teku glass, a tasting glass that works with almost any style.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Kentucky Common?
Between 4.0% and 5.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is Kentucky Common?
It has 15 to 30 IBUs, a low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Kentucky Common?
Copper to brown: 11 to 20 SRM (22 to 39 EBC).
What food pairs well with Kentucky Common?
Fried chicken, barbecue ribs and burgers.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Cream Ale, California Common and Dark Mild.
If you like Kentucky Common, try these
Classification and statistics: official Kentucky Common guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.