The Brewer

Cream Ale: The American Lawn Mower Beer

Cream Ale: The Misnomer

First things first: There is no cream in Cream Ale. There is no lactose. It is not nitro-served.

“Cream Ale” is an indigenous American style born in the 1800s to compete with the rising popularity of German Lagers. Ale brewers, lacking refrigeration, needed to make a beer that looked and tasted like a lager (crisp, pale, clear) but fermented at ale temperatures.

It is the ultimate “Lawn Mower Beer.”

The Guidelines (BJCP 1C)

  • Original Gravity (OG): 1.042 – 1.055
  • Final Gravity (FG): 1.006 – 1.012
  • ABV: 4.2% – 5.6%
  • IBU: 8 – 20 (Very Low)
  • Color: Pale Straw to Gold.

The Ingredient: Corn (Maize)

To get that incredibly light body and crisp finish, you must use adjuncts.

  • Flaked Corn (Maize): The traditional choice. It adds a subtle “sweet corn” graininess.
  • Flaked Rice: Creates an even drier, more neutral beer (like Budweiser).
  • Sugar: Dextrose can be used, but corn provides the authentic flavor profile.
  • Ratio: Up to 20-30% of the grist can be corn/rice.

The Yeast: Hybrid Vigor

You have two choices here:

  1. Clean Ale Yeast (US-05 / WLP080 Cream Ale Blend): Ferment cool (60°F) to minimize fruity esters.
  2. Lager Yeast (WLP830): Fermented warm (60-65°F). This is common! Many commercial Cream Ales use lager yeast at ale temps.

The Challenge: Clarity

A Cream Ale must be brilliant. Any haze looks sloppy.

  • Irish Moss: Essential in the boil.
  • Cold Crash: Essential after fermentation.
  • Gelatin: Highly recommended in the keg to drop out haze.

Water Chemistry

Soft water.

  • Sulfate: Keep it low. We don’t want harsh bitterness.
  • Chloride: Moderate to keep the mouthfeel from being “watery.”

Brewing Protocol

  1. Mash: Low temp 148°F - 150°F (64°C - 65°C). We want this beer dry.
  2. Boil: 90 minutes if using a lot of Pilsner malt.
  3. Fermentation: Keep it cool and steady.
  4. Conditioning: Even though it’s an ale, give it 2-3 weeks of cold conditioning (lagering) to smooth out the edges.

Summary Recipe: “Genesee Tribute”

  • Grains:
    • 7 lbs American 6-Row (or 2-Row)
    • 2 lbs Flaked Corn
    • 0.5 lbs Carapils (for head retention)
  • Hops:
    • 0.5 oz Cluster (60 min) - The classic old-school American hop.
    • 0.5 oz Liberty (5 min) - For a tiny floral note.
  • Yeast: WLP080 Cream Ale Blend.
  • Stats: OG 1.048, FG 1.008, IBU 15.

Cream Ale is technically difficult because there is nothing to hide behind. No hops, no roast, no esters. Just grain, water, and technique.