Cream Ale

Question 1

Cream Ale

Category

Answer 1

1. Standard American Beer

Question 2

Cream Ale

Overall Impression

Answer 2

• Clean
• Well attenuated
• Flavorful
• American “lawnmower” beer
• Easily drinkable and refreshing
• More character than typical American lagers

Question 3

Cream Ale

Aroma

Answer 3

• Medium-low to low malt notes
• Sweet, corn-like aroma
• Low levels of DMS are allowable
• Medium-low to no hop aroma (can be any variety)
• Overall, subtle aroma with neither hops nor malt dominating
• Low fruity esters are optional

Question 4

Cream Ale

Appearance

Answer 4

• Pale straw to moderate gold color
• Usually on the pale side
• Low to medium head
• Medium to high carbonation
• Fair head retention
• Brilliant, sparkling clarity

Question 5

Cream Ale

Flavor

Answer 5

• Low to medium-low hop bitterness
• Low to moderate maltiness and sweetness, varying with gravity and attenuation
• Usually well attenuated
• Neither malt nor hops dominate the palate
• Low to moderate corny flavors are usually found, as is light DMS
• Finish can vary from somewhat dry to faintly sweet
• Low fruity esters are optional
• Low to medium hop flavor

Question 6

Cream Ale

Mouthfeel

Answer 6

• Generally light and crisp
• Body can reach medium
• Smooth, with medium to high attenuation
• High carbonation

Question 7

Cream Ale

Comments

Answer 7

• Pre-Prohibition cream ales were slightly stronger, hoppier, and more bitter

Question 8

Cream Ale

History

Answer 8

• Existed in the 1800s and survived Prohibition
• Produced by ale brewers to compete with lager brewers in Canada, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest states
• Originally known as spakling or present use ales
• Lager strains were sometimes used by brewers, but were not historically mixed with ale strains

Question 9

Cream Ale

Characteristic Ingredients

Answer 9

• American ingredients most commonly used
• A grain bill of six-row malt, or combination of six-row and North American two-row, is common
• Adjuncts can include up to 20% maize in the mash, and up to 20% glucose or other sugars in the boil
• Any variety of hops can be used for bittering or finishing

Question 10

Cream Ale

Style Comparison

Answer 10

• Similar to Standard American Lager, but with more character

Question 11

Cream Ale

Vital Statistics

Answer 11

• IBUs: 8 - 20
• SRM: 2.5 - 5
• OG: 1.042 - 1.055
• FG: 1.006 - 1.012
• ABV: 4.2 - 5.6%

Question 12

Cream Ale

Commercial Examples

Answer 12

• Genesee Cream Ale
• Liebotschaner Cream Ale
• Little Kings Cream Ale
• New Glarus Spotted Cow
• Old Style
• Sleeman Cream Ale