Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Sunlight Cream Ale

Indiana
United States
Sunlight Cream Ale by Sun King Brewery
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
83
Aroma:
20 / 24
Flavor:
33 / 40
Appearance:
5 / 6
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Description 

Sunlight Cream Ale celebrates American brewing tradition by balancing smooth malt complexity with a crisp, clean finish. It was the winner of the Gold Medal in the Golden or Blonde Ale category at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival, and the Silver Medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup in the Golden or Blonde Ale category.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
5.3%
IBUs: 
20
Judges Review 
Joseph Formanek's picture
Judges Rating:
83
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
33 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Sunlight Cream Ale by Sun King, like most offerings of the 2015 BJCP Category 1C Cream Ale style, is a rather simple beer.  This is typically an entry level style for those first initiates into the Craft beer scene.  As such, Sunshine fits the criteria, being unassuming, yet with enough character to differentiate itself from an American Lager.

The aroma is quite grainy with a noticeable corn character along with a trace of honey malt sweetness and floral ester.  The corn is expected, as this is a typical adjunct in beers of this style.  A light perfume character develops as it warms.  The color is a light golden straw which is pilsner like.  The beer has outstanding clarity with a head composed of larger bubbles which is quite fleeting.   

There are no real surprises in the flavor, with a light sweet maltiness and little to no hop character.  There is a touch of hop bitterness in the finish, but not enough to cut the residual honey-like malt sweetness that lingers through into the aftertaste.  The high level of carbonation does cut this sweetness a bit, but the finish does remain a bit flabby.   The body is medium light, but seems higher due to the aforementioned sweetness.  The fermentation seems quite clean with no off notes present.

Sunlight is a fair representation of the Cream Ale style, but the residual sweetness impacts the refreshability quotient of this brew.  Cheers and enjoy! 

Brewery Introduction

Sun King Brewing Company is the brain child of Dave Colt and Clay Robinson. Dave and Clay first met when Dave was the bar manager and assistant brewer at the now-defunct Circle V Brewing Co. on the north side of Indianapolis and Clay was a student at Wabash College.

Advertisement