Thomas Creek Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale

Brewed by Thomas Creek Brewery
Style: Cream Ale
Greenville, South Carolina USA

I had this both ways due to the urging of the brewmaster. The first time you try this, it is wonderful, light and refreshing with vanilla as an afterthought, not cloyingly sweet as I expected. Almost like someone just poured a drop of real vanilla extract into your glass. Backed up by a solid malt character. The other way to try this one is mixed with the doppelbock and let me tell you that is like candy in a glass, a must try!

Golden, with a white head. subtle but nice vanilla aroma. Flavor is vanilla and malty - like a ’nilla wafer. mellow, smooth finish. points for not going overboard with the vanilla flavors.

Tasted this at the Border Beer Bust and was a bit surprised. It was one the beers in the experimental category and it was a bit like drinking a cream soda without most of the sweetness. I almost scored it in second place for the category, but the lightness of the beer let it fall behind. Excellent flavor, the vanilla is balanced with the light straw malt and the low hopping makes it extremely drinkable. I could see turning on non-beer drinkers pretty easily with this beer.

First question is, do you like cream soda? Because this is exactly what this smells like. It poured a cloudy yellow with a large head. They arent kidding about the vanilla its all over the place. The flavor is vanilla ice cream and sweet n low. This is like an ice cream float of sorts. Kids would love it! So keep Junior away. Interesting experience.

Supprisingly not bad. Very light in color and body. A ton of vanilla in the aroma and flavor. Kinda like a cream soda. Nice.

(Draught) Pours a golden body with a medium-sized white head. Aroma of sweet mlat and candy sugar. Flavor of cream soda and mild sweet tarts. Interesting spin on a cream ale.

Hint of vanilla in the aroma. Vanilla comes through nicely throughout, not at all overpowering, with enough bitterness to let you know you are still drinking a beer. An interesting brew.

2005 bottle from suttree, thanks a million man! Consumed on 12/1/05. Seems like a good enough holiday beer. Pours a mix between pencil yellow and white-gold, with some light tangerine hues and a very foamy head consisting of large bubbles. Plenty of carbonation, and as the head recedes to a light cover and ring, there is light, spotty lacing. Aroma gives away no vanilla, but plenty of lemon icing, angel food cake, touches of bitterness and a light creamy sweetness, not quite as distinct as honey. Flavor begins with the vanilla quite apparent, though tastefully done. Just a mildly sweet note mixed in with creamy, pale malt-like sugariness, moderate, unobtrusive carbonation and a fair amount of lemon-like notes. Light bitterness builds on the palate, not sure if it is hop bitterness or not. Reminds me of vanilla-cake, but there is enough barley character to stand up to it. Refreshing, and the vanilla never becomes a problem. The only problem I found was a strange, not quite medicinal, but perhaps plasticy quality on the very finish. Not too apparent or disconcerting, but enough to make me question the type of vanilla used. Medium-light body, but no significant thinning. Lightly watery, touch of creaminess in the texture.