Climax Cream Ale

[AXXE]

It is made in Roselle Park, NJ. I bought a growler of it. The screw top was stuck on. I broke the bottle trying to get it off and cut my hand. After filtering the broken glass out of the beer, the tasting began (I was not going to be defeated by a stubborn bottle). It had a different taste. We left it out for about 45 minutes before we drank it. It was sort of lightly sweet. Not real hoppy. Not real yeasty. A little fruity. Good body, almost creamy. If you can find it, try it. Really nothing to judge it by. The only other cream ale I had prior besides Genesee was at the 2003 NJ Craft Brewers Fest. I think it was from Gaslight or Krogh's I can remember.

[evil e]

My wife's wanting to make one of these. Been toying around with it for some time too.

[Jarod]

Check this review out from my friend Jim on beeradvocate.com

1/2 gallon growler. Amber gold body with a thin ringlet of an off white head. No amount splashing during the pour or even swirling can coax a head out of this one. Aroma is extremely sweet, almost like cold wort, and it knocks out any other possible aromas.

The flavor profile can only be explained as cloyingly sweet to the point of nauseating. A minute amount of bitterness is detected for a brief moment but is swallowed up by the crushing sweetness. A 1/2 gallon drain pour. Sad, since they make a decent IPA, or is it ESB?

The rating was in the low 2's.

I have had their Imperial stout and it was hideous. Shame there beers have really gone down the drain, and when we tried to talk to the brewer he did not care what we had to say.
Shame!

[AXXE]

I drank it again this past weekend on draught at Antone's in Cranford. Tastes the same as last time. Again, I didn't think it was bad. Just don't drink this beer expecting to have anything to compare it to. I give Climax credit for trying something different. There enough Pale Ales and Ambers out there.

[Jarod]

Sure give credit where it is due, but don't you think they need to start brewing good beer before they try to brew new beers. I haven't had a decent brew from them yet. And I am not allone. Nothing to recommend.


Originally posted by AXXE
[I give Climax credit for trying something different. There enough Pale Ales and Ambers out there. [/B]

[guzzler67]

Seems like cream ales do not get much respect and may be why so few brewers produce them. I like them as a change of pace from time to time.

My favorite is from a local brewpub called the Wharf Rat (in Baltimore) that produce the Oliver's labeled beers. They have one called Manchester Cream that is only available on tap. Smooth, velvety taste that had a pleasantly bitter finish. Usually available year round.

The other one I like is from the Canadian brewer McAuslan and may be available in your area. This one is a little more fruity and a little sweeter, but not so bad that it was cloying.

Have to admit the Genesee got poured down the drain.

Speaking of stuck tops, ever get one with a cork that won't budge? Had fun trying to pry that one out.

[brewmonkey]

Cream Ales if done properly are great beers, especially in the dog days of summer.

Briess has a Pilsen malt out now that is .9L that we used to make ours. We went 85% Pilsen 10% Corn and 5% Carastan (15L). Used Mt. Hood to 10 IBU's all first wort and it comes out very good. Carbonation is also key in a cream ale, to much and you have fizz to little and you have nothing but a bland mess.