BJCP 2021 / 27B
Historical Beer: Kentucky Common
A dry, lightly tart, caramel-and-toast Kentucky working-man's beer.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- north america
Serve: 44 to 50F, Pint
OG1.120
1.044 to 1.055FG1.030
1.010 to 1.018IBU120
15 to 30SRM40
11 to 20ABV14%
4.0 to 5.5%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Light caramel and toast
- A faint sour, tart edge
- Little to no hop
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Caramel malt with a tart edge
- Best
- Low caramel and toast aroma with a faint sour tartness, very low hop
Appearance
3 pts- Light amber to light brown
- Clear to hazy
- Tan head
- Vague
- Brown
- Better
- Amber-brown and bright
- Best
- Light amber to light brown, bright, tan head with moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Caramel and toast with light dark-grain roast
- A very light tartness from the sour mash
- Low hop, dry finish
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Caramel and light roast with a tart edge
- Best
- Low caramel and toast malt with light roast, mild sour mash tartness, low hop, dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Light to medium body
- Medium to high carbonation
- Smooth and dry
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Light-medium and smooth
- Best
- Light to medium body, smooth, medium to high carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Drinkability
- Balanced tartness
Drops it
- Strong sourness
- Cloying sweetness
Writing tip
Mention tartness level. Example: 'Caramel and light roast with a faint tartness. Dry and easy to drink.'
Pour these
No examples chosen yet.
Often confused with
- 19A American Amber AleAmerican Amber Ale has more hop
- 1B American LagerAmerican Lager is paler and lacks the roasted grain
Fine here
- Sour/Acidic: A faint tartness from the sour mash is accepted
- DMS: A trace of corn is traditional
Ruinous here
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Stale
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.