Cream Ale

A cream ale is a clean, crisp, and refreshing American hybrid beer style created in the mid-19th century. Despite its name, it contains no dairy or lactose; the name comes from 19th-century marketing meant to suggest a smooth, silky mouthfeel.

Notes: These crisp and refreshing beers are fermented warm with ale or lager yeast and lagered cold.Hop bitterness and flavor range from very low to low. Hop aroma is often absent. These beers are crisp and refreshing, with pale malt character predominates. A fruity estery aroma is perceived.

ABV: 4.3%-5.7%
IBU: 10-22
COLOR / SRM SCALE: 2-5
OG: 1.044-1.052
FG: 1.004-1.010

Alcohol & Bitterness

ABV:4.3%-5.7%

ABW:3.4%-4.5%

IBU:10-22

Perceived Bitterness:

Very low to low

Color & Appearance

Color:

Straw to gold

SRM:2-5

Clarity:

Chill haze should be very low or not be present

Gravity & Body

Original Gravity:1.044-1.052

Original Gravity °P:11-12.9

Final Gravity:1.004-1.010

Final Gravity °P:1-2.6

Body:

Low

Flavor Profiles

Malt Profile:

The dominant flavor is of pale malt sweetness at medium-low to medium levels. Caramel malt attributes should be absent. Attributes typical of corn or other adjuncts may be present at low levels.

Hop Profile:

Hop aroma and flavor is very low to low or may be absent

Fermentation Character:

Low level fruity esters may be present. Sulfur and DMS are usually absent but may be present at extremely low levels. Diacetyl should not be present.

2026 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines used with permission of Brewers Association .

No beers have been reviewed in this style.