Cali Creamin’ Vanilla Cream Ale

Evaluated as BJCP2015 style 31A (Spice/Herb/Vegetable beer) with the base style of 1C (Cream Ale). Pours a clear burnished deep gold with a medium size white head of small bubbles that quickly fades to a ring. A small amount of carbonation continues to rise from the nucleation ring in the glass. The first whiff is a moderate level of sweet vanilla and low corn grits, followed by a medium low floral note. There are also some faint fruity aromas of strawberry. Slightly tangy on the front of the tongue, the beer presents a sweet, almost honey-like, malt note along with moderate vanilla notes and a hint of grits. Medium low bittering with a low floral hop flavor leads to a moderately sweet medium length finish of honey, crackers, and vanilla. Medium light bodied with a fairly low carbonation and no alcohol warmth, there is a pleasant smoothness that is contrasted by the tangy character providing a bit more complexity than usual from a cream ale. The vanilla reminds me of egg nog, so this might pair nicely with hollandaise and eggs Benedict. Or, if you want a boilermaker, use a shot of good quality anejo rum 🙂