Kiwanda
Pelican Pub & Brewery

KiwandaKiwanda
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From:
Pelican Pub & Brewery
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Cream Ale
Ranked #96
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
83
Ranked #23,872
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 11.99%
Reviews:
90
Ratings:
288
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 01, 2023
Added:
Mar 15, 2003
Wants:
  33
Gots:
  69
Kiwanda Cream Ale celebrates Cape Kiwanda, the starting point of the stunning Three Capes Scenic Route and the birthplace of Pelican Brewing Company. Inspired by one of America’s traditional 19th century beer styles, Kiwanda has a golden color, floral aroma, refreshing body and a clean, snappy finish. Whether enjoyed with your toes in the sand at our oceanfront brewpub or in your own backyard, Kiwanda Cream Ale is proof that light colored beer can be both refreshing and inspiring.

12.5 degrees Plato
Bitterness: 25 IBU
Color: 5 lovibond
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Seattle_Suds:
Photo of Seattle_Suds
Rated by Seattle_Suds from Washington

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

Jul 26, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of StJamesGate
Reviewed by StJamesGate from New York

4.12/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bright gold with a fine mist of particles under a lumpy, steady snow white dome; cracked corn, grain sack + dandelion nose; Wonderbread, touch of biscuit, flowers + spice, numbing linger; round, smooth, clean.

3.75 4 4.25 4 4.25

Smells surprisingly hoppy, presents sweet but drinks fully attenuated, feels satisfyingly round without any real malt flavour or chewiness - this whole things is a juggling act, or maybe a magic show, and done perfectly.
Also, unlike, say, Newburgh Cream Ale, it does all this while staying within the bounds of the style (though that scrubbing 25 IBUs is close to the edge.)
If I need to find fault, carb could be higher + there’s a mist of sediment, which there really shouldn’t be in a beer like this.
Still kicks Genny all around the shop, which is not huge praise, but worth noting.
And classy move to put these in imperial pint cans; I could certainly get through them.

The craft standard for Cream Ale.
Feb 01, 2023
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
on draft at the brewpub

clear, dark yellow golden, white head. mild aroma. taste is light, grainy, touch floral hops. thinner bodied, very easy drinking which is to the style.
Apr 26, 2022
 
Rated: 3.83 by Chris_Taps

Feb 03, 2022
 
Rated: 3.39 by bumchilly25 from Canada (BC)

Dec 21, 2021
Photo of REVZEB
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

3.89/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap. Orangey yellow semi-opaque body with a white cap. Sweet malts and grains up front in both smell and taste. In the nose I get a bevy of citrus. Taste starts similar to nose but ends with a sweet cereal long finish. Feel is medium-light bodied with a smooth and sweet finish. Great for a day hanging out at the beach
Sep 13, 2021
 
Rated: 4.06 by jason_nwx from Oregon

Jul 05, 2021
Photo of Pivopijak
Reviewed by Pivopijak from Washington

3.86/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
draught
Medium thin, bright white head that dissipates quickly. Light golden straw color which is nearly clear. Very light and basic malt aroma with a hint of spice. Medium light bodied and flavored. Pleasant, malt dominated subtle flavor in a floral sense, with the malt dominating the finish. Similar to a fine pilsner without the hop bite at the end. This tastes like a quality regular BEER.
May 02, 2021
 
Rated: 3.84 by Anacross from Oregon

Mar 27, 2021
Photo of RedBalloon
Reviewed by RedBalloon from Washington

4.26/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle dated 10/1/20 poured into a pint glass on 12/19/20.

Pours a 2" creamy white head. Translucent golden yellow color. Rising bubbles, not much lacing.

Floral hop aromas with some bitter lager yeast. A very light lemon rind, orange peel.

Emphasis on biscuity lager flavor and floral hops with a hint of citrus. Well balanced.

Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Unobtrusive and non-astringent.

Very easy-drinking and balanced ale that shares some flavors and aromas with a pilsner or other lager.
Jan 01, 2021
Photo of TheBricenator
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look: Semi-clear light orange with a lively and quickly settling head that leaves no lacing behind
Aroma: Sweet bready malt, cream notes (as in cream soda, not milk cream), floral hops, some wet straw, and fruity esters
Taste: Floral hops, straw, and bready malt kick things off and intermingle while the fruity esters fade in and out of the picture. Closes out with more of everything and on the hard-to-describe but cream-ale-esque note
Mouthfeel: Smooth – even a little silky, medium-high carbonation, and a very clean and soft finish
Overall: A winner. I’m a huge fan of this hybrid style and think this is a very well-made example of it. Like other hybrid styles (Kolsch, Cali Common, Cream Ale), it has a great mix of smoothness and cleanliness while also being soft and having noticeable esters. I’ve been drinking this stuff for years and if cream ales are up your alley, definitely recommended
Oct 14, 2020
Photo of eatsluggs
Rated by eatsluggs from Florida

4.07/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Why did I rate it so high? If I am ever forced to drink it again, I will let you know.
Jul 27, 2020
Photo of SushiSakeBeer
Rated by SushiSakeBeer from Oregon

3.69/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Fair
Jul 20, 2020
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
a real solid cream ale, more flavorful than most but real crisp and clean to drink, refreshing but not necessarily summery, like this would be valuable all year round, which is not always the case with these, not too light or anything, very well made beer as pretty much all of them are from pelican. we picked up this sixer from their to go window at the brewery and drank them on the beach our front, looking out at the waves and the rock and everything, pretty idyllic spot! this beer has some moderate depth to it for the style, a biscuit malt note that isnt sweet but is more substantial than the norm, just by a little. the yeast has some flavor too, which i like, almost a lager breadiness about it, very crisp to finish, but with some european character in the middle. hops are bittering only and very mild, but there is a freshness to this that really stands out. i get an almost pancake batter flavor as it warms a little, and i like this best when its freezing cold and has more refreshment capacity, but i appreciate this being bold for the style. old school and modern at the same time, a highly relevant american cream ale as far as i am concerned. pelican never lets me down (except for when the wait to have a beer at the brewery during coronavirus times is more than two hours and you have to skip it despite massive stoke levels)...
Jul 07, 2020
Photo of dunkel_weizen
Reviewed by dunkel_weizen from Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Unknown age bottle poured into a pint glass. Color is a midly hazy yellow gold, really strong carbonation, a decent pale white 1 finger head with good foam and soapyness. Lacing is O.K. The nose is unremarkable to me, but pleasant and not unlike a mild pils. The taste is where this cream ale shines: good snappy hop up front, zero bitterness, crisp and clean with a creamy citrus finish. The finish has a nice creamy base with some malty character.

This is a good crisp easy drinking cream ale from Pelican. For simpler times, this brew takes the cake.
May 22, 2020
Photo of Hoodster
Reviewed by Hoodster from Oregon

4.27/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
First of all, you have to support Pelican just for the fact that they have possibly the most stunning vista from any brewpub in the world, where you can have a pint and lunch sitting literally on the beach gazing at giant haystack rocks and the mighty Pacific at your feet.

If that’s not enough, some other things to love about this beer: it comes in a very attractive 19.2 ounce orange can, the perfect single serving for a beverage of this ABV, or to share with a loved one. Cream ales themselves are never going to bowl you over with flavor. That said, this one is clean and crisp and refreshing as advertised. If you quaff it staring at the ocean, your enjoyment will be multiplied many fold.
Apr 12, 2020
 
Rated: 2.75 by cryptichead from Illinois

Jan 01, 2020
 
Rated: 3.84 by nodnaut

Dec 05, 2019
Photo of unlikelyspiderperson
Reviewed by unlikelyspiderperson from California

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a lovely 'classic' beery yellow/gold. Nice fluffy head holds it's own.
Smell is lightly malty sweet. Light breadiness.
Taste has a nice bitter c-hop hit right up front that is quickly washed over with a heavily bready and lightly buttery flavor. Nice balance and one of the first times i've seen how people can appreciate the 'buttery' diacetyl flavor in beer. It works well here.
Mouthfeel is nice with a crisp bite balanced with a 'creaminess' and fullness to the body. Easy drinking without being at all watery.
Overall this is a nice easy drinker. Surprised this style fell out of flavor and will not be surprised if it makes a craft comeback. This is a real enjoyable beer without any of the modern bells and whistles
Oct 11, 2019
 
Rated: 4.3 by MobBarley from Oregon

Oct 10, 2019
Kiwanda from Pelican Pub & Brewery
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 288 ratings