Vanilla Cream Abdul Jabbar
Funky Buddha Brewery

awesome cream ale here, subtle on the vanilla, which is out of character for these guys, but makes perfect sense for this brew. i loved it, and this is the kind of cream ale i could really spend a day with, its that good. the name rules too, but the beer is pale golden yellow, highly heady and effervescent, and really pretty dynamic on the nose. the vanilla is an accent to pale and pils malt types, while the yeast seems close to lager, crisp and clean and young, but not irrelevant. there is a little middle of the road sweetness from the vanilla, but it never goes too far, never takes over. it remains real drinkable, and as soon as it seems like its about to go over the line, it recedes, the timing here is perfect. great carbonation, grass and straw notes with the malts and the fresh yeast, and overall super light and slammable for how nuanced it is, best of both worlds really. this was on tap at the lounge in boca, which is an amazing place, and the small batch nature of this makes it special. not sure how well it would scale up, but its a delicious pint if you make it to the lounge! not sure cream ale gets much better than this. perfect in terms of both flavor and technique, great brew.

 

 

 

 

Mini review:

Good cream ale, amazing incorporation of vanilla. Doesn't taste jarring or forced or artificial at all. Vanilla doesn't incorporate this well in cakes or candy bars or coffee. Insane how good these guys are at this kind of thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Nitro Tap at the House of Brews in Jensen Beach, Fl.

A – Very light on the pour with the requisite fluffy white, nitro head you would expect.

S – Vanilla, vanilla and more vanilla. Sweet cream.

T – As you would expect it immediately floods the palate with a light vanilla taste. Not as strong as the aroma but it’s all over this one. Touch of milk and cream in the flavor. Just a tad bit malty to finish. Reminds me of a beer version of the soda from Stewart’s that is vanilla cream.

M – Creamy, slight carbonation, light to medium bodied. Leaves a lingering vanilla on the palate.

O – Easy drinker. If you like vanilla this one is all you. Breath in as you drink this one and it floods the senses with vanilla. Have I said vanilla enough? You get the picture. If you dislike vanilla, stay away.