NITRO Cali Creamin’

NITRO Cali Creamin’ by Mother Earth Brew Co. is a nitrogenated cream ale with vanilla and was judged as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable beer (BJCP sub-style 30A).

It poured light gold and slightly hazy into the glass, forming a thick, long-lasting white head formed by the gas used to carbonate it. A prodigious vanilla nose dominated the aroma with supporting sweet corn notes following, consistent with the base style.

The flavor profile resembled the aroma, with the vanilla leading off and possibly masking more subtle flavor contributions from other ingredients except for bittering (only) hops.

This crisp, refreshing and delicious beer should appeal to many drinkers, save those who are allergic to or simply dislike vanilla; those who truly love that flavor, on the other hand, could anoint this one of their favorite brews. The majority who fall somewhere in the middle may find its drinkability slightly limited due to the sweetness of the vanilla.

This beer was very well-brewed and true to its label, with the brewer approaching (but not crossing) the line between a style expressing a dominant sweet spice flavor and one whose heavy use renders the result cloying and off-putting.