The Swill: Sirius Hi-Gravity Cream Ale
The Still: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, California
http://www.lagunitas.com
The Drill: Special Release Cream Ale, 12oz bottle, 7.0% ABV
The Spill: The idea behind a cream ale is to blend a malty sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel. The brew can be hoppy as well, but the mouthfeel is what sells it. At 40 IBU, this brew ranked a little higher on the hops side of things than anticipated. More disappointing was the letdown in the mouthfeel department. Compared to some other brews that boast the same thing, and some that don't, but feaure it anyway, this one left much to be desired.
Says Bill: I must say, I bought this beer out of season. It was a special spring release, which I bought in the fall, so it may have been the fact that it was past its prime that made it such a disappointing buy. The name is alluring, and conjures things like cream soda and creamsicles to mind. When you don't find that, or anything remotely similar to that, it can be kind of a bummer. I'd be interested in trying it again though, and fresh this time, just to give it another shot.
Refill?: I'd say it deserves a second chance. Siriusly: 2 taps out of 5.