Kiwanda Cream Ale - Pelican Pub & Brewery

doughanson78

Washington

2.88/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a tulip.

A: Golden straw color with orange highlights when held to the light. Two finger white head with very good retention and lacing.

S: The main aroma I get is canned tuna fish mixed with mayo. It's not super strong, but it does mask the other aromas. Slightly sweet malts and a healthy breadiness. Some grassiness and a very light corn scent.

T: Very grassy all the way through. Very grainy. Again the slight corn comes out. Some breadiness. Pretty plain.

M: Very thin and watery. Decent carbonation. Maybe a bit creamy. Slightly dry finish.

O: I can't get over the smell. It's not bad, just not what you want to smell. It is drinkable, but there's no way that I'd buy it again. Just nothing going on at all. A disappointment.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 08:52:41 | More by doughanson78

KajII

North Carolina

2.9/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

[Suggeasted Glassware: Nonic Pint]

The pour was a clear golden yellow with an average (1-2 finger) white frothy head that was mostly diminishing, down to a light puddled film and medium collar and had good spotty lacing.

The aroma was of a lightly sweet grain malt, floral hops and a doughy yeast with a note of caramel and a mild fruity ester.

The taste was rather malty with a mild caramel sweetness and a pronounced grainy feel from the start, becoming lightly hoppy with a slight adjunct presence and a light fruitiness towards the finish. The flavor lasted an average duration proceeding the swallow and had a light spicy sweetness at the very end.

Mouthfeel was light in body with a watery and slightly dry texture and a medium carbonation.

Overall a good refreshing brew with an unpretentious taste and a great drinkability...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 15:48:02 | More by KajII

flagmantho

Washington

3.43/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: light golden hue with a tiny touch of haze and a robust effervescence. Head pours two thick fingers of pillowy white foam which have a decent retention and leave a chunky lace on the glass. For the style, pretty damn good.

Smell: sweet malt with a slightly corny adjunct quality. A little corn in this style is fine, but combined with the sweetness I'm getting a little bit of a Corn Pops feeling. Not great, but again, within stylistic bounds.

Taste: a little drier and less corny than the aroma, plus a pleasingly bitey hop character and bitterness. Hops are noble, earthy and herby, and balance this beer pretty well.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a decent carbonation and moderate creaminess. It's OK.

Overall: a decent and drinkable cream ale. The nose is a bit corny for me, but this beer is definitely headed in the right direction.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 23:32:35 | More by flagmantho

smakawhat

Maryland

3.13/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the 1 pint 6 fl. oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A very brassy pale amber body, hints of light brown color on the edges. Somewhat clear but a tad cloudy, and some slow rising tiny carbonation. Head is four fingers fluffy thick white, with lots of retention. Big cap on this beer.

Nose is a little acrid sour grain, with some of that creamy malt sense for the style. Little maple sugar, but kind of odd. Smell reminds me more of a blonde ale.

Palate hits with a rather ordinary flavor. Mild grains, but a lingering toasted white baked bread. No sweetness. Mouthfeel is full, but missing richness. Slight carbonation behind the body, aftertaste brings some nice crackling toast.

This is an ok brew, but it reminds me of nothing about a cream ale. Drinkable yes, but unfortunately not that memorable either.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 17:58:44 | More by smakawhat

scottfrie

California

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle. Thanks to my wife’s maid of honor for picking me up this from out of town.

A: Pours an ultra-clear light yellow with a huge, billowing, whipped egg-white mousse of a head that took forever to fade from a thickness of four fingers to one. A thick film lasted the whole beer through and left patches of spotty lace down the glass.
S: Very light smelling, with hints of pepper yeast and earthy grains. Not getting much, but that’s expected.
T: Stronger than the nose with husky flavors of dry malts and grains. Hops are low and give a balancing spicy quality. The finish is light and the aftertaste is quick and slightly sweet.
M: Super light, very crisp and easy drinking body, smooth mouthfeel, soft carbonation.
O: A very mild and light beer that is super easy to drink and very refreshing. I like them a little more potent, but there is nothing wrong with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 23:07:58 | More by scottfrie

inlimbo77

Delaware

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

3oz taster glass
Enjoyed at the brewpub 9/3/12

A: This pours out a clear light golden yellow. Very BMC like. On the swirl, I get some bright lacing bits. Nice carbonation.

S: This smells like a kolcshe style brew. Pilsner etc. Light. Euro grainy grassy hops.

T: Much like the smell, this is a BMC like beer. You get low bitterness on the tip of the tongue. Grassy light hops. Light grainy malts in the mid-palate. Crisp clean finish.

M: It's fairly light bodied

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2012 17:11:53 | More by inlimbo77

Brenden

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Kiwanda looks like gold, pure and clear and bright. A very slightly off-white head is creamy and compact, maybe reaching one finger in height but never fading away. It sticks around as more than a foam, about 1/2 a finger, the entire time, constantly regenerated by the steady bubbling activity. Lacing is left in patches and in good quantity.
A grains note in the nose starts it off, backed by a gentle sweetness. The undertone is a mix of herbal and lightly dusty earthiness. Cream ale isn't a big style, but it's a little tough to get everything out of the aroma.
There's a good balance of herbal and lightly grassy hops bitterness before the sweetness, and it does a good job of taming it. This beer is an interestingly herbal and "green" cream ale. There's also a bit of earthiness on the dustier side. Into the finish, it ends up a little metallic with a sort of thinness.
The feel is great, and it shows what the style should be in that regard. It's very soft without being weak, light and downright creamy, even fluffy, but with a light crispness all the way though. If the crispness gave a little more nip all the way, this is perfect. As it is, it's what you want a beer like this one to feel like.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 13:20:27 | More by Brenden

zeff80

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a hazy, golden color with a one-finger, cream colored head of pillowy foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled spicy and earthy with caramel sweetness.

T - Interesting herbal and earthy presence. Almost nutty. Sweet caramel with a touch of spice bitterness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is very unique. Unlike any Cream Ale that I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 00:21:37 | More by zeff80

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.4/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a light straw color with good carbonation leaving a small white cap, some bubbles and light lacing

S: Grass and a sugar sweetness, pretty tame and straightforward

T: Sweet and a bit creamy upfront with light herbal and grassy note midway to completion

M: Light to medium bodied

O: Not the best cream ale I have had but not bad

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 17:29:05 | More by barleywinefiend

scratch69

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I poured a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance- Clear golden color with a fingers worth of head. Very little lacing.

Smell- Faint aroma of grain with a hint of hops.

Taste- Sweet malt flavor with a note of floral hops. Mildly bitter taste at the finish that fades quickly.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied and very smooth. An average amount of carbonation. It leaves a light creamy feeling on the tongue.

Overall- I have been looking forward to trying this beer for awhile now and I have enjoyed every drop. Very refreshing and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 21:40:27 | More by scratch69

beertunes

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on tap at the brewery a few years ago, before I started reviewing, so I was glad to Pelican beers showing on the shelves at a few local stores lately.

Poured into straight pint glass. Poured a lightly hazy medium yellow color, with about 1/4 inch of white head that had OK retention and very light lacing.

The aroma was nicely grainy, a bit sweet, had just a touch of gentle hops and, a bit unusually for the style, a touch of yeasty funk. The flavors were pretty much the same, mostly grain, with some underlying soft hoppiness. A fairly typical example taste-wise.

The body was also fairly typical, medium, clean, and with a nicely dry finish. Drier than a lot of other examples, which seem to run more towards the sweet side. Drinkability was very nice, the 22 went down easily enough, although I'd much rather have 12oz bottles. Overall, a nice example of the style. Nothing really stands out, either good or bad, but the 22oz format makes it doubtful I'll grab many more of these. If these were available in12oz bottles, I'd throw a sixer in the fridge to have around as an easy drinking "everyday" brew. Worth a shot if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 19:33:15 | More by beertunes

grittybrews

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a cloudy pale yellow with two fingers of white head. Mild aroma of lemon, grass, and a touch of floral character.

Moderate carbonation and a light, creamy mouthfeel. A hint of lemon up front followed by wheaty biscuit and a bit of earthy bitterness on the tail end.

Light, pleasant, and in keeping with the style, but I don't really feel the need to revisit this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 04:29:23 | More by grittybrews

bum732

Maryland

4.4/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S: Slightly herbal, oregana like hops, touch of spice, somewhat spicy.

L: Crystal clear, straw yellow, creamy white head, 1/8 inch retention, good lacing.

T: Slightly spicy, floral hops with a firm light malt backbone. Medium low spicy/fruity bitterness leading to a fairly clean malt. Fairly dry, clean finish.

M: Slightly creamy mouthfeel, clean, medium carbonation.

Delicious, could drink this all day.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 03:35:07 | More by bum732

gkunkle

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewing from notes. Enjoyed on tap at the Pelican. Served a light golden color with white head. Carbonation is visible rising in the beer. Dead eventually recedes to a ring in my glass. Looks generally pleasing for a summer day. Smell is floral, with a slight sweetness. The taste starts with a light smooth sweetness. Then I get some citrus and floral before the beer finishes with dryness. Mouthfeel is light and refreshing. This is a great summer day beer, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could have considering it is the middle of winter. Though this is a well made beer, I don't know that it can stand up well compared to other cream ales.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 23:58:09 | More by gkunkle

isualum12

Idaho

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a golden glow with orange on the outside. Great looking.

Smell: Clean and fresh. Light malt with fruit.

Taste: Smooth and refreshing. Flavors are strong but not over powerful. Slight bitter at the end but very nice.

Mouthfeel: Creamy with a medium body on it.

Would order again in a heart beat. Loved it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2011 04:54:42 | More by isualum12

hamilton23

California

3/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Golden shower with a nice creamy, thick white head.

S: Dry grass/hay.

T: This really resembled a BMC pilsner or lager more than a Cream Ale. Not much flavor.

M: Thin and slightly dry.

O: I was expecting this to be a bit more like Boddington's or one of the other cream ales I have had. I was hoping for much more as the other Pelican beers were pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 03:11:10 | More by hamilton23

timmick

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Light, golden, and clear with nice carbonation trails running up the side of the glass. White, fluffy, two finger head that leaves plenty of lace on the side of the glass. Looks refreshing.

S: Mild citrus, lemon zest perhaps, with a floral hoppy scent. A bread/grain backdrop gives a nice balance.

T: Follows the nose... Mildly hoppy with a citrus note. Nice malt balance that is subtle, but present, and reminds me a bread.

M: Nice and light with enough carbonation to clean the slight hoppiness. Creamy feel is present and is enjoyable.

D: I wish is was warmer out! Very drinkable and would be great on a nice warm day of relaxing. A sessionable brew that I could see myself drinking this summer.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 19:42:47 | More by timmick

quisatzhaderach

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The liquid pours a pale gold, consistent with the style. It is topped by a beautiful creamy head.

Subtle and rare grain characteristics first reach the nose, displaying the elegant simplicity of the grist. These are followed by a slight citrusy hop spice.

The pale and left-alone grain character is really shown respect here. The subtle grain is expressed just softly enough. It is accompanied by a citrus note from the hops, which compliments the creamy body.

The beer runs through the mouth with a slight thickness, in keeping with the style's history.

This brew is highly drinkable, and is a rare example of a fine moment in American beer history.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 18:56:18 | More by quisatzhaderach

mjn5036

New Hampshire

3.78/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A -22oz bomber popped open and poured into a tulip glass. This one pours a very light golden hue with a large three finger cream colored head. The head is thick and sticky looking, and leaves soap like lacing sprawled across the glass. Lines of carbonation stream up the sides of the glass.

S - Smell is extremely faint. Some hops, floral bouquet and mild fruit profiles are what I can pick up on.

T - Taste is very similar to the smell - faint hoppiness, some fruitiness/citrus and a malty backdrop. The taste reminds me very faintly of a creamsicle.

D/M - Drinkability is of course incredibly high, the style calls for it. I could certainly drink quite a bit of this on a nice warm summer day. Incredibly creamy mouthfeel on this one, with a dry finish.

This is my first Cream Ale, and while not my new favorite beer it certainly lives up to the credentials of what a Cream Ale ought to be. A solid brew by a solid brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2011 01:31:54 | More by mjn5036

koopa

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber received in a trade with Wackyfoot thanks!

Appearance: Pours a standard cream ale color...pale golden to straw, fairly transparent, with a 1 finger white crown that displays moderate retention and good lace.

Smell: Clean and fresh malt note, some cereal grains, and a touch of floral hops.

Taste: Same as the nose but it comes together better. I know this is an ale, but it is a touch lager like and a great lager alternative in some ways.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with a slightly creamy mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 22:16:06 | More by koopa

sqquuee

Utah

4.1/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

This beer is hay colored and very bright.

It has a slight citrus note, Lemon zesty with a touch of pine. A bit of Floral hop character as well.

Its hoppy for a cream ale but not by any means overly hoppy for the style. Nice grainy flavor that finishes with a crisp finish.

I have tried several clone recipes and can never quit replicate the hop profile for this beer. The hop bursting and my lack of hopback may have something to do with that.

Overall this is a very drinkable beer and goes great with a day on the beach near the brew pub.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 07:04:54 | More by sqquuee

chumba526

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears golden with a small white head.

It smells slightly lemon like, there is a nice mellow grainy taste as well. I get a little bit of a mild honey flavor.

It tastes much like the smell there is a nice mild lemon and grainy flavor. This is a light refreshing ale that has mellow flavors. Though the flavors of this beer are mild they are very good. This is not a complex ale but it is quite nice.

The carbonation is medium high.

The drinkability is very good as this is light and refreshing ale. This would be perfect ale to drink on a hot day.

Overall this is refreshing nice ale. It is nothing amazing but it is nicely done ale. Worth trying if you want a nice light ale that has flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 04:05:12 | More by chumba526

sweemzander

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle poured into an imperial pint. Thanks to hopsbreath for this one!

(A)- Pours a clear yellow color that produced a good white frothy head with great retention behind it. Plenty of lacing left behind as it slowly dissipated.

(S)- Rather dry, but with a mellow honey-like sweetness.

(T)- Same like the smell. A nice dry profile up front with touches of hay and very subtle earth. Finishes mildly honey-like in sweetness.

(M)- A good carbonation level and balance. A lighter bodied beer with a mild bitterness/sweetness.

(D)- An all-around easy drinking beer with some good flavors. Nothing to write home about but it did go very well with pizza I had tonite for those who like input on beer/food pairings.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 16:28:26 | More by sweemzander

basica

Singapore

3.8/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a clear bright golden yellow with thick two-finger head that recedes fairly quickly to a milky clingy layer sheltering a fairly active level of carbonation. Looks really good in my large Thurn und Taxis Rogen glass (4.5)

S - Light malts with some cereal or straw; slightly bready or biscuity with a light floral hop aroma. Nose was generally light but still very pleasant (3.5)

T - Grains and maltiness upfront back with a light hint of fruity sweetness and lightly citrusy hoppy, mildly bitter finish with some pleasant graininess and fruitiness returning in the after taste (3.5)

M - Light-bodied and fairly carbonated going down easily with a creamy-watery smoothness. (4)

D - Light and refreshing brew that goes down really clean and well; very good summer session beer (4.5)

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2010 18:02:12 | More by basica

kels

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a bright golden-yellow , very clear, with tons of large carbonation bubbles rising throughout. A short white skim of foam bobbing back and forth on the wake. Little lips of white lace lap along the glass where the beer meets it.

Just the slightest notes of toasted grain come through - not much else to name.

This is a nicely sweet and mild beer. There's a good crisp grain presence along with a crisp, clean, tart citrus hoppiness. It finishes with a nice, almost lemony-honey finish with a slightly floral note. Feel is nicely carbonated and bright, giving a refreshing tone to the beer and rounding out a fullness in the mouth.

This is the highest drinkability ever. It is refreshing, filling, tasty and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 21:50:07 | More by kels