Kentucky Common Label

ODaniel · 01-04-2010, 08:43 AM

It's been awhile since I made a label, and I wanted a different design layout than my previous labels. Same design layout for each beer, but unique parts for each. So this is what I ended up coming up with. Simple layout, but allows for nice parts. I tried making the shape of KY to be like a hole in the wall but wasn't able to achieve that effect, realistically, without it looking cheesy (traditional beveled edges, etc).

Honest criticism welcome.

Edit: Adding 2nd one to 1st post.

MVKTR2 · 01-04-2010, 03:22 PM

In general I like it. The issue I see is the relative darkness of the Louisville pic compared to the surrounding textured areas. It's also a problem with styles. I think a daytime pic would work better, or perhaps distress/filter the pic that's placed inside the Kent. silhouette.

Schlante,
Phillip

Ps I lived in Louisville back almost 10 years ago now! Decent enough place, lived in the Highlands, really enjoyed being able to get out and walk, shop, eat.

**android** · 01-04-2010, 06:35 PM

like the label, except isn't KC more of a working class beer? i think it'd be cool to have a picture of a mine in kentucky or something rural. what i've read about the style on your site just doesn't equate to skyline lousiville IMHO.

ODaniel · 01-04-2010, 07:16 PM

I had the skyline picture brighter, but I felt like it was too bright compared to the rest of the label. It kind of took away from other aspects.

Yes it was a working class beer, which is why I have the old wall and cracked textures to kind of give off that vibe. I used the Louisville skyline because that is where the beer originated, and I couldn't find any real old pictures, which is what my first plan was. In a way it works because it's an old beer style being revived in modern times, but then again, something old there may work better. I'd still like it to have a Louisville aspect to it. I'll mess with it and see what I can come up with. Thanks!

I used to live in Hikes Point all my life and moved to Lex for school. I've spent a lot of time in the Highlands though.

Dr_Gordon_Freeman · 01-13-2010, 04:58 PM

O'Daniel--

I like the label, but I agree that the skyline might be replaced with an old picture from the early 1900s or a rural scene.

PS. I would love a chance to sample this style of beer, having recently relocated to Lexington. I am a noob but I would gladly trade you some homebrew if your Kentucky Common batch turns out the way you hoped it would.

ODaniel · 02-10-2010, 06:44 AM

I think I found a pretty good picture. It was a from the Frank Fehr Brewing Company in Louisville, Kentucky.

LazyPBar · 02-10-2010, 03:25 PM

i like it. nice lookin label. those are some massive barrels! be neat to see in person if they happened to still exist.

epimortum · 03-14-2010, 02:56 PM

Really do like the second pic.
I'm from KY originally and have tons of "rural" pictures if you would like I can point you to some I can post on my web-server.
I'm planning on brewing a KY common for a friend who is coming into town at the end of the month. Since it's essentially meant to be drank as a cask ale (I don't force carb) then I'll step the recipe back to a gallon or two.
But I do love the label really awesome.
Edit: I can see you are too

nevermind but the offer is still open.

ODaniel · 03-14-2010, 08:57 PM

Thanks. Cool, good luck. I highly recommend Recipe #3 on my site. I have some rural pictures, but if you have any from before prohibition or shortly after I'd gladly take a look at them.

epimortum · 03-16-2010, 12:39 AM

Let me get w/my 2 aunts they'll have plenty of old family pics. We're from NKY so it won't be exactly Louisville but some pics are quite neat.

Scaled by epimortum to make 2 gallons

This is essentially a hybrid made of recipes from O'Daniel and Paddles at:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/kentucky-common-129841/

Since KY common was meant to be drunk young I have scaled this down to 2 gallons and plan on serving as cask style. Any suggestions on how to do this w/o a Keg and w/yeast would be appreciated.
I'm thinking of using my 3gal better bottle and bunging it tightly down. This way it won't create a bottle bomb like glass.

2 gallon recipe

2.4 lb. Marris Otter
5.2 oz. American crystal 120L
1.4 oz. American chocolate
0.8 lb. Grits gelatinized (see below)

158° F for 1 hour
170° F for 10 min.
Once temps drop to about 115 sprinkle a about a 1/4 cup of raw grain on.
Leave covered for 18-36 hours depending on how much sourness you like.
Do a German Sparge to make up the difference.

Brew day:
90 minute boil
0.2 oz. Cluster (6.5% AA, 65 min.)
0.2 oz. Cluster (6.5% AA, 30 min.)
0.2 oz. Cluster (6.5% AA, 2 min.)
Muntons ale yeast.