From the Beer Writer: In a day and age when a brewery tourist enters a tasting room expecting to encounter multiple forms of IPA supplemented by trendy beer styles, it is refreshing to not only discover one stocked with decidedly non-trendy beers. Ramona’s Smoking Cannon Brewery is just such an operation. Its owners brew all manner of beer. Some are out-there (pumpkin cream ale or smoked peanut butter beer, anyone?), while others are traditional but obscure as all get out like Deckard Kentucky Common. This 5.5% brew is true-to-style, meaning it is copper in color with just a touch of caramel to add depth to an otherwise smooth, dry, easy-drinking beer. The Kentucky Common is one of our country’s few indigenous beer styles and it’s done justice at Smoking Cannon, where it’s become popular enough to rise to year-round status.
From the Brewer: “Our decision to brew a Kentucky Common came about as we were looking for a true American brew. This is a recipe that originated from Louisville, Kentucky, in the 1850’s and predates the Civil War. It became very popular in the Southeast during the Civil War. Our love for great American brews and this style’s ties to that region and era made for a natural fit for our Civil War-themed brewery. This beer is made with a true Kentucky whiskey mash with American two row, lots of flaked corn, rye alt and a little black malt. With as popular as it has become here at Smoking Cannon, we now have made it one of our flagship beers.”—Mike Nelson, Owner & Head Brewer, Smoking Cannon Brewery