Carlyle Vanilla Cream Ale

Brewed by Carlyle Brewing Company
Style: Cream Ale
Rockford, Illinois USA

On tap at the brewpub.
Hazy straw-colored gold; medium white head with surprisingly chunky lacing for such a nominally light brew. Aroma of vanilla plus spicy & sour-grassy hops. Flavor is sweet, natural-tasting vanilla first and foremost, bolstered by grassy hops up front, then malt sweetness comes online followed by moderate hop bitterness. Tingly, medium palate. Nice smooth stuff that beer snobs and Miller swillers can mutually countenance; plus it makes a nice treat when mixed half-and-half with whatever stout or porter they happen to have on tap at any given time.

Wow, they arent kidding when they say vanilla. Hazy copper, thin white head with lots of vanilla in the nose. Taste is strong vanilla pfront then just a hint of grains or barely, soft, I really dont like the taste of vanilla but it is drinkable.

Bright translucent yellow-orange with a thin grey sheet for the head. Wonderful aroma, chock full of creamy vanilla and white chocolate. Vanilla Tootsie Rolls come to mind. Leading into flavor, vanilla plays up its prominence, joined by a crisp hops appeal and signature lemony-lager characteristics. It’s got a lively light body and perhaps a little too much carbonation, but the vanilla finish and aftertaste remind me of why I’m a sucker for vanilla anything.

Sample at the brewpub. Hmmm, 3rd vanilla creme ale I’ve had in 2 days in Illinois. Weird. Medium amber, a bit dullish looking. Strong vanilla nose with a twist of caramel. Vanilla, cherry, perhaps a touch of rosemary and tarragon in the flavor...hints of sourness and bitterness towards the end, but the vanilla lingers. Definitely above average for what it is.

Draught: Now this was a different beer. It was kind of a golden color. There wasn't a whole lot of head. The nose is vanilla and only vanilla. Nothing else could get through. There is an initially a sweet taste containing the vanilla, but it immediately gives way to a dry and unsweet taste. Some malts to the taste, but no sweetness or bitterness. DIFFERENT. This was OK, but it's not for me.

tap at brewpub-copper appearance-nice white head that lasted a long time. lots of vanilla in the aroma, and that was pretty much it. very one dimensional. thin body.

Dark golden with a nice white head. Vanilla creme soda aroma is striking; I was unable to detect any traditional malt or hop notes in the aroma at all besides a slight hint of dry coffee grounds. Despite the description, I found the vanilla flavor to be overpowering, to the point where I thought I was drinking a slightly undercarbonated creme soda. Finish is slightly watery. Truly unique, that is for sure.