Vanilla Caramel Double Cream Ale
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company

 

This is a great beer on Nitro. It is a perfect "sit by the fire" beer. It has a nice darker beer carmelized after taste. You definitely can tell its alcohol content. Yum!

so they are calling this one snug now, which is a perfect name for a winter warmer, and this beer in particular. i was lucky enough to have this on nitro, which was an ideal format for something like this. its a cool cream ale as a base, stronger and sturdier than most, which allows it to hold the flavors of vanilla and caramel really well without it being overwhelmed by them. its crystal clear, cascades beautifully from the faucet, and holds an inch of thick creamy head. aroma here is not as intense as i thought it would be, not diabetic and sugary, not even all that desserty to me. vanilla is natural but not heavy, and the caramel part works in well with the grain. a little alcohol presence to cut the sweetness too, but i think the nitro keeps it at bay a little bit too. i get plenty of malt at the core of this, more than i normally associate with a cream ale, but it works great. i like a winter warmer like this that isnt spiced, there must have been a big temptation to add cinnamon or something, but the beer is better off without any of that. pretty drinkable for what it is, these guys have a winner here!