Kentucky Common 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit

Regular price $59.99
This Kentucky Common 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit includes pre-measured ingredients to brew a full-size batch of smooth, malty pre-Prohibition American ale at home.
  • Makes 5 gallons (approximately 48–52 bottles)
  • Ingredient-only kit (equipment not included)
  • Features toasted malt, subtle corn character, and Cluster hops
  • Ready to drink in about 4 weeks

✅ Beginner-friendly with step-by-step brewing support

A historic American dark ale that surprises with balance and drinkability.

The Kentucky Common 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit recreates one of America’s original beer styles, brewed in and around Louisville prior to Prohibition. Despite its deep amber to dark brown color (approximately 14 SRM), this beer delivers a medium-light body with smooth malt character and refreshing effervescence.

Toasted malt and light caramel notes form the backbone of the recipe, while flaked corn lightens the body and enhances drinkability. Classic Cluster hops — one of America’s oldest commercial hop varieties — provide mild, clean bitterness with subtle earthy, floral, and light herbal undertones.

At approximately 5.3% ABV and 17 IBUs, this beer has presence without heaviness, finishing crisp and lightly dry.

This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Kentucky Common at home:

  • Pilsen dry malt extract
  • Corn sugar adjunct for light body
  • Cluster hops (bittering)
  • Cluster hops (late bittering)
  • Saaz hops (aroma)
  • Steeping grains, including flaked corn
  • 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.

Brewing Kentucky Common follows a traditional American ale process with classic grain and hop additions:

  • Brew: Steep specialty grains, boil the wort, and add Cluster hops
  • Ferment: Pitch ale yeast and maintain steady fermentation temperatures
  • Condition: Allow proper conditioning to develop malt smoothness and clarity
  • Enjoy: Ready to drink in about 4 weeks

For best results, maintain consistent fermentation temperatures to preserve clean malt character and balanced bitterness.

This recipe kit is ideal for:

  • Brewers with 5-gallon brewing equipment
  • Fans of malt-forward yet refreshing dark ales
  • Homebrewers interested in historic American beer styles
  • Drinkers who enjoy Irish Red or Brown Ale but want something uniquely American

Because it’s brewed in larger volume, it’s well suited for gatherings, seasonal brewing, and sharing a revived pre-Prohibition classic with friends.

Kentucky Common Specs
  • Batch Size: 5 gallons
  • ABV: 5.3%
  • Style: Kentucky Common (Pre-Prohibition American Ale)
  • Bitterness: ~17 IBUs (Low to Moderate)
  • Color: Deep amber to dark brown (~14 SRM)
  • Suggested Dry Yeast: American Ale yeast (SafAle US-05)
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Kentucky Common 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit
From $45.00
What You'll Brew

Kentucky Common (Pre-Prohibition American Ale)

A historic American dark ale with toasted malt depth and smooth drinkability. This beer pours deep amber to dark brown with light caramel aroma, subtle corn character, and clean bitterness from classic Cluster hops. Designed to surprise with balance rather than heaviness, it delivers crisp, lightly dry refreshment despite its darker appearance.

What's Inside the Kentucky Common 5 Gallon Beer Recipe Kit

This 5-gallon recipe kit includes all the ingredients needed to brew Kentucky Common at home:

  • Pilsen dry malt extract
  • Corn sugar adjunct for light body
  • Cluster hops (bittering)
  • Cluster hops (late bittering)
  • Saaz hops (aroma)
  • Steeping grains, including flaked corn
  • 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 Kentucky Common Beer Recipe Kit

Brewing your own beer at home is about more than the final pour. This kit turns your kitchen into a small-batch brewery and gives you hands-on experience with real ingredients and real fermentation. Whether you brew solo or share the process with friends, this kit makes it easy to create a vibrant, tropical beer that tastes as good as it feels to make.

Easy Steps to Making Kentucky Common Beer

With the Kentucky Common 5 Gallon Beer recipe kit, brewing is as fun as cracking open a cold one. ​​

Steps to Craft Brewing

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. This is an ingredient-only Beer Recipe Kit. Brewing equipment and bottling supplies are not included.

Kentucky Common includes corn for a lighter body and subtle rustic character, and traditionally uses Cluster hops for clean bitterness.

No. Despite its dark color, Kentucky Common is medium-light bodied with a crisp, refreshing finish.

Corn lightens the body, enhances drinkability, and contributes to the traditional American grain profile.

The beer is typically ready to drink in about 4 weeks, including fermentation and conditioning.

Yes. This 5-gallon recipe kit is best suited for brewers with a full setup and some familiarity with the brewing process.

Need The Complete Kentucky Common Beer Making Kit?

New to brewing? Start with the Kentucky Common Beer Making Kit, which includes fermentation equipment for beginners.

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