Pete's Wicked Wanderlust Cream Ale - Pete's Brewing Company

edchicma

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A big surprise. Found this on sale for around 50 cents a bottle. It had avery nice appearance...light copper, creamy head and excellent lacing. Smell was a nice blend of fruitiness, grassiness and earthiness. Taste was mainly malt, although there was a light hop presence. Mouthfeel is very smooth. This carries over to the drinkability which gives a light and smooth presence.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2007 00:21:53 | More by edchicma

JasonA

Massachusetts

3.13/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a reddish copper, just about clear. Little to no head with not much carbonation.

Smells a little cream soda-ish. Some sweet.

Not much. Cream tasting. No hops. Some malt. Not very deep, but not bad.

Feels light, smooth. Not much there, but nothing real bad.

Overall pretty decent for what I would call an American Macro. Was a xmas gift in a mixed 6pack, so Im not overly disapointed.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2007 20:28:29 | More by JasonA

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.65/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

"So raise a cheer to those forgotten years,
Back to the corner where we went our separate ways."

--from 'Wanderlust' by Flogging Molly

Burnt orange with a busy look thanks to all the miniscule bubbles ascending within. The pale orange crown is nicely creamy and should last well into the review. Most cream ale isn't this dark, but there's no sense in marking it down for looking like an Oktoberfest.

The nose is strictly average. It's more malty than hoppy... and isn't very malty. Whiffs of barely toasted Munich malt and faintly musky hops are appreciated. The rest of the grain bill includes pale and wheat and the hops are Cluster. A lack of any real negatives keeps the aroma on the acceptable side.

Cream ales have a tendency to be unimpressive unless the brewer is truly committed to the style and uses quality ingredients. Wanderlust is unimpressive. Munich malt was not a great choice since it contributes a earthy, toasted grain flavor that should not be present in a beer of this style.

Even though the malt contributes flavor, there isn't enough of it. There aren't too many cream ales that are this light. A lack of malt translates into a lack of sweetness and a lack of a smooth, sufficiently creamy mouthfeel. The bottom line is that this isn't a very good example of the style and doesn't adhere very closely to the guidelines.

The word is that Pete's Brewing Company beer was better in the good old days. In the good new days, though, it ain't so wonderful. I haven't yet had Strawberry Blonde, but it's doubtful that it's any more of a quality fruit beer than Wanderlust is a quality cream ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2007 14:05:08 | More by BuckeyeNation

leedorham

Washington

3.28/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a darker yellow to amber with an off-white 1" head. The beer is very clear and, besides the decent head, there is little visible carbonation.

Aroma is not offensive but leaves something to be desired. Can't detect any hops and there is little character.

The taste is malty-sweet and fruity. This definitely strikes me as a sweet beer. Seems a little off balance towards the malt side. I think it would benefit from a smidge more bitterness. That being said I enjoy the taste and smoothness sip to swallow. Seems to be undercarbonated for my liking but that also seems to contribute to the smoothness. Who knows if it would benefit from more. Overall I like it but I think it be a tad less sweet. I think I'll have another.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2007 03:34:06 | More by leedorham

johnbonham1980

Idaho

2.83/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very underachieving. Don't find many cream ales so I was excited to find this one, and I'd remembered some good experiences with Pete's Brewing Co's products, but this one didn't impress me at all.

Poured with a pretty scant white head, average lacing. Light gold, and well carbonated. Nice, smooth mouthfeel.

Tastes very much, like other reviewers have said, like a slightly better version of an average macro. Sweet but pretty flat malt, almost no hop presence. Has some fruitiness. As it warms, it becomes rather boozy.

Would be a good choice for a mixed group as it is decent, but not one I'd pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2006 19:09:39 | More by johnbonham1980

adammills

Michigan

2.1/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I was really looking forward to this beer, and more than a bit disappointed. It tastes like a macro, very little to offer. It does have a nice billowy creamy head, but that is the only thing cream about it. The malt is flat tasting, touch of hops, err...wow, I was expecting more. Too bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2006 15:31:01 | More by adammills

gmfessen

Michigan

2.42/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured out of the bottle into a pint glass, beer is a clear bronze color with a one finger foamy head. Slight bits of lacing. Smell is sweet, of corn and amber malt. The taste isn't as sweet as it smells, it starts out hoppy transitions to malty and back to hoppy. The mouthfeel is light bodied and is creamy as advertised, but not overly impressive. Overall I would have to say that this is an average amber beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2006 06:30:36 | More by gmfessen

Magpie14

Michigan

2.93/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Apperance: nice dark golden color....looks like cream soda. Head was foamy, bubbley and went away quickly. Nice overall color and apperance does look like it would be smooth, not much lacing.

Smell: uummm...not to much to say here. Has an off sweetness smell to it and I could tell that it was going to be watery by the smell. Slight hop smell but not nothing more.

Taste/Mouthfeel: toasted grains and minimal hops. Odd sweetness takes away what little flavor is in it. Does finish dry and clean and is very smooth, interestingly smooth character. Yes finishes a bit watery as well.

I like Pete's brews but this one was kind of a downer. It is a smooth drinkable beer but lacks in overall taste

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2006 18:30:25 | More by Magpie14

tugdriver7

Maryland

2.63/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

My first of the style. Now I know why I didn't try it before. Pete's isn't a bad microbrewery, but this is (IMHO) a bad microbrew. If I closed my eyes, it tasted like Molson Ice. Glassy smooth with little carbonation, mild hops taste that quickly melted into an alcohol astingent flavor on the tongue. The color was a weird (almost artificially enhanced) pink; and that lended to my negative opinion, I'm afraid. Reminded me of a flat Killians, with a bit more alcohol bite in the end. Sorry, Pete. Just not something I'll try again.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2006 20:22:53 | More by tugdriver7

treedoctor5002

Michigan

2.95/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

There isn't much to this cream ale from Pete's. It's a basic amber colored ale without much depth to it. It is refreshing and smooth if that's a factor for you. Pretty much a below average "micro brew" if you even want to call it that.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2006 23:27:23 | More by treedoctor5002

RJLarse

Washington

2.8/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I picked up a six-pack of Wanderlust Cream Ale at a grocery store out of curiosity. I poured this beer in to a pint tumbler.

Pours an amber/gold color and is clear. A creamy two-finger stark white head forms and produces a lot of lace on the sides of the glass.

The smell is floral, and perfume like. It also has a bit of a hospital sterile alcohol aroma.

The taste is grainy, cereal, with a mild hop finish, and a little skunk flavor.

Mouthfeel is light and clean.

This is a drinkable beer, but the smell and taste are a bit odd. I've had better smelling and tasting beer, and I'll probably pass on Wanderlust in the future.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2006 07:02:13 | More by RJLarse

acrawf6

Louisiana

3.1/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours out a nice clear orange amber with a small white head.

Smell. Has a very light and lemony aroma, very sweet lemon, like candy.

Taste. Nice light hoppiness to it, and is dry initially. Malts come through and gives it a nice sweetness.

Mouthfeel. Carbonation is quite low, especially compared to the bubbles rising. Balance is ok, but i just find this beer a bit too thin.

Overall. Worth trying, and i'm glad i did, but i dont think i'll get this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2006 00:04:09 | More by acrawf6

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Got this from a friend recently, so I could sample and review it on here. Yes, I know it's a winter seasonal, but I can't pass up a chance to review a beer and it's a change from the hefe's, witbier's, and light fare that I've been enjoying as of late. When I had this a few years ago, I thought it was decent. My tastes and standards have changed during that time, and accordingly, I don't think this beer is as a good as I once thought it was. That being said, this was probably brewed well over six months ago, and it's not the freshest offering I've had lately either...

Not that great a pour - this was darker than I thought it would be, and looks more like a regular ale than a cream ale. The head and lacing are nowhere to be found, and the taste...well, there's a lot going on here, but I don't think much of it was intentional. Floral, citrus, metallic, grainy, and watered-down notes can all be felt here to various degrees. The aroma is a few notches above a Yuengling, Pabst, or the like, and the taste is fairly empty too. It's light, tangy, tart, and most of all, pretty empty. Sure, it'll foam up a bit if ya swish it around, but a winter brew should be spicier, warming, and in this case, creamy. There's not much of that going on here.

The 5.60% ABV can hardly be felt here, but the aftertaste that lingers can be, unfortunately. It's just a bit bitter, but more sharp and tingly than anything else. I did like Pete's Wicked Rally Cap Ale and the Strawberry Blonde when I had those a few years ago, but seeing how this beer has not stood the test of time, I doubt that this brand of beer has what it takes to make it in the craft brewing scene. Only worth a shot if Genesee is the best ya can do!

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2006 08:13:45 | More by JerzDevl2000

Zorro

California

1.83/5  rDev -42.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Pours a clear reddish gold colored ale with an off white colored head.

Smell is corn and nothing but corn. There are some herbal hops in this trying to cover up the smell, but this is just plain corn.

Taste is corn and some hops trying to cover up the corn and a strange metallic flavor. BLARG! This is worse than even really cheap malt liquors!

Mouthfeel is competent.

OK what you have here is your regular glass of crap. If you ever consider buying this beer save your money and go down to where the bums hang out and buy what they are buying. 100% PURE CRAP! Worse than Corona.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2006 23:05:28 | More by Zorro

plaid75

New York

3.53/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a very nice copper hue. A creamy two finger head with good retention and lacing.

The smell had a nice hop and grass aroma.

The taste was creamy, yet clean. Good hop presence. Very good carbination as well. This is essentially a higher quality Genny Cream Ale.

The mouthfeel was full and nicely effervescent.

A very drinkable cream ale. I would recommend this as a good example of an often overlooked style.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2006 04:03:06 | More by plaid75

Bierguy5

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Clear, light amber color. Thick off-white fluffy head. Great head retention. Grainy, slightly sour and floral in the aroma. Grainy flavor again slightly sour, fruity and a bit tart. Some earthy bitterness. Slight creamy mouthfeel. Very neutral and non-threatening. Finishes sweet. Not really that enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2006 01:49:52 | More by Bierguy5

Dithyramb

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

No born on or freshness dating on the bottle. Pours a tea color with a short lived head with good retention. Sweet hoppy aroma. Comes off with a good mix of floral hops and smooth chalky malts. A little creamy on the mouth, but not overly so. Drinkable in a "I hope this is on sale for happy hour" way.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2006 03:31:00 | More by Dithyramb

wingman14

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A little darker than your average ale. Big white head slowly goes away.
S: I didnt get much more than hops, and maybe another grain.
T: I am not getting the cream part of the name of this beer, in my book this tastes like just an average beer, nothing special. A minor aftertaste that resembles a specialty beer, but very faint.
M: A lot of carbonation, thin feel, again, no creamy characteristic
D: Being just another beer isnt always bad, when you feel like a nice cold one this beer hits the spot. If you find that it costs more than your average beer then dont bother. I found a sampler case on sale for $5 and thought it was worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2006 21:20:33 | More by wingman14

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

2.28/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pete's Wicked- Wanderlust Cream Ale

Appearance- light caramel orange with a thick white head that held up well and laced the inner glass nicely.
Smell- light caramel mixed in with the malt. Hints of Vanilla and apricot.
Taste- Light skunky malt with a touch of vanilla. Weak flavor.
Mouthfeel- weak and watery. A slight Malty and metallic aftertaste.

Overall- I wanted to like it but...! Actually tastes more like a Macro (BMC) blended with a touch of vanilla and malt. Not good, stay away!

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2006 21:55:53 | More by NJpadreFan

nlmartin

Ohio

2.73/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

The beer was poured from the bottle into a pub glass.

Appearance: The beer pours a honey amber coloration with a off white head about 1 inch high. The head quickly resolves.

Smell: The beer has a bit of lemon citrus with a vaguely carmel combo.

Taste: The beer has an overly sweet corn maltyness to it. There is the tiniest bit of hops peaking out in the beer.

Mouthfeel/ Drinkability: The beer is light bodied with a slight creamyness noted. This is an ok drinking beer. I wouldnt go out of my way for this and I wouldnt sink pour it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2006 11:59:16 | More by nlmartin

BeerIsland

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I got this for $3 a six at Total in VA so I couldn't resist. Pete makes a decent beer and this is no exception. Slightly cloudy in the glass with a frothy head that was quickly gone, clean malt nose, malty flavors on the dry side with a light finish. All in all, a very refreshing beer, particularly considering the price.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2006 21:58:48 | More by BeerIsland

oberon

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a lighter amber with a fluffy white head after a harder pour,a light toasted grain aroma is the most I pick up in the nose a little sugary sweetness but faint.At first the beer seemd harsh flavor,and mouthfeel wise but after drinking a second the flavors melded more lightly sweet with a biscuity malt undertone a touch of hop zest in the finish but not much there.A no brainer beer after work after the initial harshness it came together okay.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2006 03:30:33 | More by oberon

Kulrak

Australia

3.95/5  rDev +24.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep orange-gold color with creamy head that disappears quickly, leaving a thin layer that clings to the glass. Has a sweet citrusy smell to it that is very pleasant. Tastes very sweet, but not very malty or hoppy, but pretty fruity. Very nice. Really creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Very drinkable, sweet & smooth, pretty much like a cream ale should be. I like it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2006 21:21:23 | More by Kulrak

Billolick

New York

3.58/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, w/o freshness dating. Pours a nice looking golden amber, quite clear, supporting a medium sized near white head, respecatable, fine ,spotty and stringy lacing. Next to no nose that I can pick up, maybe just some straw. This tastes like a moderatly crisp pilsner. German tasting drying hops on the palate, as well as some fruity notes. A decent sessioner IMHO, better then I expected.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2006 23:40:36 | More by Billolick

jasonpeckins32

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours amber in color with a creamy, off-white colored head.

A sweet sugary smell overtakes the nose. Hops are also evident.

A touch of sweet maltiness matched with a pinch of hop bitterness. Probably could use a little more of each. Finishes with a cereal malt flavor. Fairly tasty for what it is.

Mouthfeel is soft and smooth. Finishes very smooth and silky.

Drinkability is nice as well. I only bought a single, but I wouldnt mind having a sixer or more for a cheap price. This might not be a bad beer for me on a night like new year's eve when I'll be looking to get absolutely trashed all night off of a decent beer without spending an arm and a leg.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2005 03:11:07 | More by jasonpeckins32