Cream Ale
Specialty & FruitBJCP 1C
Light, smooth American ale — the sessionable craft-gateway beer
A clean, well-attenuated, flavorful American lawnmower beer. Pale, refreshing, and sessionable with a smooth grainy-malty sweetness and subtle corn-like character. Top-fermented but cold-conditioned — sits between an American lager and pale ale.
How to Brew a Cream Ale
Typical Malts
- ● Pale Ale malt
- ● Corn
Typical Hops
- ● Style-appropriate hops
Yeast
● Ale yeast (e.g. US-05, S-04)
Style Requirements
Typical Flavors
Commercial Examples
FAQ about Cream Ale
What is a Cream Ale?
A clean, well-attenuated, flavorful American lawnmower beer. Pale, refreshing, and sessionable with a smooth grainy-malty sweetness and subtle corn-like character. Top-fermented but cold-conditioned — sits between an American lager and pale ale.
How much alcohol does a Cream Ale have?
A Cream Ale typically has 4.2–5.6% ABV. Original gravity ranges from 1.042–1.055, final gravity from 1.006–1.012.
How bitter is a Cream Ale?
A Cream Ale has 8–20 IBU (International Bitterness Units). This is moderate bitterness.
What ingredients do you need for a Cream Ale?
Typical malts: Pale Ale malt, Corn. Typical hops: Style-appropriate hops. Yeast: Ale yeast (e.g. US-05, S-04).
Do you need special equipment for a Cream Ale?
A Cream Ale can be brewed with standard equipment (pot or all-in-one system). Fermentation temperature: 18–24°C (64–75°F).
Useful Calculators
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