Face it — American craft cream ales don’t get much respect. You never see anyone at the bar furiously logging into their favorite beer rating service to proclaim the greatness of a newly discovered American craft cream ale. It just doesn’t happen like that.
This example of the style pours an exceptionally clear dark straw color with a coarse white head supported by medium to high carbonation. A quick whiff releases soft, sweet malt, faint, grassy earthiness and the requisite corn note. Tasting reveals an excellent balance of smooth, medium bitterness and clean corn flavors following through. This easy-drinker finishes with a slight nutty aftertaste, good attenuation, and a medium mouthfeel.
Overall, this seems like a solid beer in a difficult style to nail. Pick some up and give due respect to cream ales — a historical American indigenous style brought back from the brink of extinction by our wonderful craft brewing community.