Thomas Creek Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale - Thomas Creek Brewery

YellowHammer

1.93/5  rDev -41.3%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

-Smells almost like a Coors Light.
-White head with no lacing.
-Taste is disappointing, no vanilla cream that you'd expect. The vanilla is basically nonexistent. This beer honestly tastes and smells almost like a Coors Light.

Overall a misleading beer which is very drinkable but not something that you'd savor. Its almost a funnel beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 02:56:45 | More by YellowHammer

elvislwyr

Alabama

2.36/5  rDev -28.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours clear yellow into a glass, two shades brighter than straw. Not much head. Not much to get excited about.

S: The bouquet is faint and floral. No vanilla detected to my nose.

T: Cloying citrus, not much complexity, a finish distinctly reminiscent of lesser American adjunct lagers in its graininess. If vanilla is present, it is very light, not even an undertone.

M: Nothing unexpected here. Average carbonation, slightly on the dry side of the spectrum.

O: Doesn't bear much resemblance to an ale, to me. Much closer to a typical American adjunct lager. Not much here I would want to revisit.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 23:55:10 | More by elvislwyr

Cyberkedi

Georgia

2.53/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Aroma is fairly strong and mainly of wilting lettuce - not too promising. It pours a clear straw yellow with a rather typical fluffy white head. Flavor is malty, a bit wan - not what I expect from Thomas Creek; I have enjoyed the other beers from this brewery that I have tried. Texture is fairly smooth and fizzy, about average.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2010 00:27:57 | More by Cyberkedi

Paincane

Georgia

2.53/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: Golden colored brew poured into pint glass produces a short-lived white head that has good retention and leaves moderate amount of lace.
S: Not much nose. Hint of vanilla with grain.
T: Grain, no cream. A little vanilla but it is there if you really try. Bitter, slightly tart finish that lingers for a bit.
M: Light bodied with moderate carbonation.
O: Disappointing and a bit of a misnomer. Lacked in vanilla or cream. I would not seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 01:19:15 | More by Paincane

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.55/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a snifter on 12/6/11

Thanks to PDXHops

Timid golden yellow that has a shine to it in the light. A one thumb head doesn't last long, surrendering to a patch of bubbles and some haphazard trails of lace.

The aroma is weird and kind of off putting. Notions off vanilla taffy, marshmallow and dust swim in a pool of syrupy corn. Something makes me think "burnt citrus," whatever that means. As it starts to warm the nose shifts in favor of the vanilla and marshmallow, so that's nice.

Flavor-wise, this is pretty uneventful. Grainy and resembling the use of adjuncts; some grassy hops are strewn about, too. Vanilla is very mild and artificial.

Easily on the light side of the feel spectrum with moderate carbonation biting here and there. The finish is dry and has a lingering dirty presence that I don't care for; it sticks to the palate.

Overall impression - not outright terrible, but this isn't all that impressive. Maybe a decent summer beer or something.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 06:08:36 | More by Ryan011235

Pintofbrown

Iowa

2.58/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I poured this beer into a glass stein.

Appearance- The body is a pale golden yellow with a decent amount of carbonation columns. The head was about a half-finger in width before settling in at a slight, white film for a cap.

Smell- There is a big note of burnt grain on the nose, not subtle, and not appealing. I wish there was more to this head than that, but there is nothing.

Taste- Some bittering hops at the start, maybe some earthy note to it. Any vanilla or other biscuit quality I would have expected to really punch through in the middle to the finish, but no such luck!

There is some grain and roasted grain in the finish of the beer, maybe just a little bit of biscuit malt, but vanilla? I really, really wish there had been.

Mouth feel- The feel is pretty good to be honest. The body of the beer is balanced, not too light or heavy, and the creaminess is pretty good. It is not filling up the mouth, but it goes down pretty easily.

It is really that burnt grain that is taking away from the finish, not what has been done with the carbonation in the beer.

Overall- For as interesting as this one sounded, it did not deliver in the slightest. The nose had little to offer but burnt grain.

The taste was also a huge let down. Vanilla is virtually non-existent, and what is left, well, does not make for a very good drinking experience. No matter how tempted you are, this one can be avoided.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 23:25:20 | More by Pintofbrown

xfactor9600

Indiana

2.63/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: clear pale yellow. Some head.

Smell: a slight vanilla flavor that wasn't a poignant as I was expecting

Taste: a sweet concoction of hops and vanilla. Not what I was expecting or hoping for. In some sips the vanilla would come through more than others.

Mouthfeel: a light feel that did not feel well carbonated.

Drinkability: Ok, in a one or two bottle setting at most. I could not picture myself getting again, but would drink at someone's house.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2009 17:02:03 | More by xfactor9600

PDXHops

South Carolina

2.65/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle, poured into a shaker pint.

Pours a hazy gold with a rather large fluffy, creamy head of uneven height. Excellent retention and lacing.

Aroma is very reminiscent of a cream soda, but with the addition of a vague graininess. The vanilla flavor is quite strong, threatening to drown out the crisp light grains and gentle hop bite toward the swallow.

Overall impression: Would prefer the vanilla to be toned down a bit, but a tasty, refreshing brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2009 21:03:50 | More by PDXHops

kkipple

South Carolina

2.73/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Had this on tap in Columbia, SC during a "Meet the Brewer" session where the Thomas Creek rep was present.

It's a pale clear golden beer, with a small white head. Nothing out of the ordinary for the style, really.

Smell? Was there a smell? I was just hit in the face by a vanilla club. I look at the glass again; are they sure they didn't pour from the vanilla extract bottle? Wow, this is intense. After a few more sniffs, there *may* be some hops cowering behind the 900 pound vanilla-beast, but they're hiding pretty well.

Taste? You mean, besides vanilla? The vanilla is running rampant through my mouth, finding the mild malts and anemic hops and terminating their worthless existence. The vanilla roars back again in my throat as I take another swallow, providing a very sweet aftertaste. My notes say "mostly vanilla. Cream Soda." Yep.

This is the most soft-drink like beer I've ever drunk. The mouthfeel has the exact carbonation of a cream soda, and it's sweet like one too. The sweetness and dominating vanilla really limits the drinkability on this one. They could lose half the vanilla and it'd still be more than enough.

Should you try it? Well, I still agree with my notes. This is the cream soda of beers. Make of that what you will.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2006 05:38:43 | More by kkipple

bditty187

Nebraska

2.78/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Hazy, bright yellow-gold in hue with a smattering of bronze; it is a truly lovely color. White head, at the apex the foam was one finger tall. The bubbles quickly faded to a thin, soapy cap. There was some spotty subsequent lacing. I love how this beer looks; it is youthful and glowing, awesome!

The nose is totally unexpected. I smell lemony citrus and nondescript sweetness. I don’t smell vanilla and I don’t smell any corn. Cream Ale? Fooled me. Moderate potency, sadly at the back I smell soap. The nose is inoffensive but it’s not inviting, in fact I am confused and a little leery.

I taste vanilla. I am not a huge fan of vanilla in beer but this is nicely restrained. However, the vanilla tastes like flavored dish soap. No bitterness, no real hop flavors. It is sweet from start to finish, not much development. Where is the citrus coming from? It doesn’t seem like it arrived here from the hops. Cream Ale? BS, I am calling Thomas Creek’s bluff. The palate is odd. Frankly, it’s not that bad; I just don’t really care for it but I am positive others will. The more I drink the more the vanilla lingers. I don’t need more. If nothing else this was a wacky idea executed well enough, I mean, I didn’t gag. Now that is praise!

Medium/medium-light in body, creamy carbonation, the mouthfeel is pleasant. Unfortunately the aftertaste is tacky sweet and persistent. Maybe more effervescence would help clean my tongue. What on earth would this beer pair with?

Maybe the brewery should swap in some spicy/funky Belgian yeast. That combo might actually work! As is, I can’t rightfully enjoy this beer. It’s too sweet, too one-dimensional… too bad. I am surprised this beer is as good as it is, yet I think it could be so much better. Would a true Cream Ale jell with vanilla? I’ll never know! Thanks timtheenchanta for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2006 18:25:50 | More by bditty187

aasher

Indiana

2.85/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I grabbed this one soley because it sounds delicious and sounds refreshing. I haven't had a really light beer in forever. So here goes nothing...it poured a very light and extremely clear golden yellow with a two finger frothy bright white head. It smells of a light lager with the slightest hint of vanilla. The lack of vanilla is actually surprising, despite being an extremely light style in the first place. As it warms it starts to open up a little bit. The vanilla is a little more apparent. The flavor too is disappointing. There is maybe one drop of vanilla per bottle. As it warms, the vanilla is actually apparent in the taste and aftertaste but it is very subtle. This is a cream ale, yes. Is it average? Maybe, maybe. It drinks light but is there really a reason to go back for another sip? Probably not.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 23:40:24 | More by aasher

scottyshades

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a completely transparent yellow/straw color that produces a sparkly pure white, fully carbonated head that retains poorly, but leaves some spotty lacing along the glass. Honestly, it looks like a typical macro lager. Wasn't too impressed, but I like Thomas Creek, so I'll stay positive.

S: A whiff of soft vanilla right off the bat. Smells very much like a cream soda. Also, buttery notes follow a massive dose of lactose that provides that creamy nose. Some twangy, metallic-possibly citrusy notes that are pretty faint, but there. Very one dimensional. No hops present.

T: Pretty similar to the nose. A little lighter than I expected, also much more carbonated than I had hoped for. But still nice and easy to drink, session beer for sure if you like the style (I don't).

MF/D: Heavy carbonation, light body for the style, syrupy tasting/lactose finish that lasts a short while.

Not too bad, but not great, I just happened to pick it up because I was one short in my six-pack and wanted to try something different.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2009 23:32:16 | More by scottyshades

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.08/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up one of the newly labeled bottles the other day and wanted to give it a try. I had this I think last year but did not really remember much about it so I figured I would give it one more shot. Poured into a pilsner glass it was a nice hazy, light yellow color with a good sized three inch high head of white foam. Very nice carbonation profile with rippling bubbles shooting skyward throughout the session. Decent head retention and some good side glass lace.

The aroma was nice and light, not really much of a hint of anything here with the faintest exception of some light vanilla just kissing the nose, mostly light grain and wheat though. The taste was just the same, very light, with a clean, crisp, and well carbonated light body to it. Light hints of malt mixed in with what seemed like an artificial vanilla flavor, not terrible, just not particularly impressive either. Easily session able, I was unsure if there was even alcohol in this one as it came off so light.

Overall not a bad light, outdoor on a hot day type of beer, but to be honest I have had better. Still though not a bad effort and I would not be terribly opposed to trying it again. Decent effort for sure.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2008 01:17:56 | More by mikesgroove

Onenote81

North Carolina

3.1/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my pint glass a pale yellow with a thin white head on top. Little retention and little lacing. Smells of grains and slight vanilla. Hints of grass in there as well.

The mouth is a little thin, but has a nice carbonation bite. This is a pretty mild, basic cream ale. Some grassy notes mixed with a slight vanilla sweetness. Finishes sweet. Not bad. Pretty refreshing, really.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2009 15:42:53 | More by Onenote81

Nesued

South Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - Yellow/Golden in color. Clear with vibrant carbonation feeding the remains of a large white head that was at least a four-finger head. The remaining half-finger ring left a goodly bit of lacing on the sides.

Smell - Very yeasty is aroma. A corn presence as well with a bright aromatic twang as well.

Taste - Vanilla huh? hmmmm... dunno about that. Perhaps a subtle bit but I'll reserve further opinion and say nothing more than a passing fancy. Grainy as well.

Mouthfeel - A bit thin at first, built up a bit of a body once I washed it around a bit. Nothing that really made me stand up and take notice.

Drinkability - I tried this one at a beer-tasting a few months back. It tasted better then than it did now. Perhaps it was the environment. I don't think I'd buy another 6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2007 02:31:18 | More by Nesued

SilentSabre

Georgia

3.13/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I'm actually somewhat surprised with this one. Given my past experience with this brewery, it is a miracle indeed that I even agreed to to try something else from these guys. I understand, however, that TC has totally re-packaged their beer and is brewing with new recipes for a totally new start.
This wasn't an amazing beer. In fact, it was a notch or two above average at best. However, it was leaps and bounds better than anything I had from them in the past. It poured a golden straw colour with a two and a half finger thick frothy, soapy head. CO2 continually streamed upward resulting in terrific head retention. Smell was rather tame sweet malts, a very modest *hint* of vanilla, and bereft of any hops. Taste was somewhat light being mostly sweet malts with a bit of an earthy hop bitterness. The vanilla is very, very subtle indeed. In fact, any perception of vanilla at all is probably my mind fooling my palate. If you handed this to someone in a pint glass without them seeing the bottle and just said it's a cream ale, they'd likely never know that vanilla was involved at all. In the end, a rather forgetable beer that was neither fantastic nor dis-pleasing, but given their history, this is a monumental improvement. Great work Thomas Creek.
*Note* A visit to their website reveals that there are Kent Goldings and Fuggles in this. Okay, I'd believe that. It also says there's Cascade in here, as well. How much? One cone?

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2008 03:07:26 | More by SilentSabre

oberon

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at Vintage 301 last night,poured a very ;ight lemony yellow with a tight formed 1/2 finger white that was gone quickly.Faint toasted aromas along with a whiff of vanilla but its quite faint.The mouthfeel was nice and creamy and went down smooth,flavors are pretty heavy handed vanilla and some light toastiness almost like a vanilla wafer.Eh it isnt bad for what it is but its not my thing.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2009 12:18:46 | More by oberon

Graebner

Germany

3.15/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From notes compiled at the 2006 Southern Brewer's Festival:

Yellow-amber, mostly yellow, thick white head.

Smells of vanilla, wet dog, banana.

Taste is crisp lemon, refreshing vanilla, slight banana.

A clean hops finish, vanilla cream aftertaste.

Drinkable, but would sour after a while..not one I'm likely to order.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2006 01:13:58 | More by Graebner

Bung

North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz. Electric yellow pour with just a small layer of white head.

Herbal grassy aroma with just a faint hint of malt and vanilla. Not sure what this should smell like, but it is kind of macro-esque.

Taste is also kind of macro-esque. Very grassy, itty bitty bread and ittier bittier vanilla. I feel like I've got a little Bud breath after this.

Mouthfeel is light, but a lively almost creamy body.

Extreamely drinkable, just not all that enjoyable flavor wise.

The flavor does come out better as this warms.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 01:57:55 | More by Bung

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this one in a recent trade from mikesgroove. Thanks!
Very close to clear with just a faint haze, the beer was a straw yellow with a thin, coarse cap of white bubbles. A little bit of stickage, but not much in the way of lacing. Light aroma overall with vanilla front and center, some cereal grain and sugary caramel notes were in the background. Taste was more of the same with mild bitterness. Vanilla and sweetness lingered. Light bodied, crisp carbonation, decent texture. A drinkable beer, fairly refreshing, but the vanilla didn't have much to play with. Even though the vanilla was fairly light, it completely dominated the flavour and aroma. Not bad though and sort of interesting.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2008 22:56:22 | More by DrJay

br3wmeister

Colorado

3.2/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Big bubbly white head sits atop a pale yellow beer. The had dissipates quickly leaving only a thins layer that caps the beer. Some moderate lacing but nothing to write home about.

S- Lots of nice sweet fruity aromas, peach, plums and bananas with a hint of vanilla and some nice citrus hops. The vanilla aroma becomes very apparent as it warms up.

T- Wow, Lots of vanilla, I was not prepared for the amount of vanilla after smelling this beer. Very sweet and cake like flavors up front then a nice citrus hop balance helps to keep this beer drinkable.

M- Fairly light bodied with not much going on, normal carbonation not overly crisp or dry, just kinda average.

Overall this is a very vanilla-e beer, if you like vanilla get this beer. I personally thought it was a little boring.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2009 01:38:58 | More by br3wmeister

biggred1

Indiana

3.2/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pale yellow with a fluffy snow white head. Vanilla and pale malts in the nose. This beer tastes like cream soda with noble hop bittering. Light bodied and fizzy. This is my least favorite of the TCB beers I've tried so far and I'm not sure what beer drinker would enjoy this brew. Forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2010 01:32:19 | More by biggred1

iadler

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip

A- Clear light gold with a two finger head that leaves a small amount of lacing.

S- Vanilla cream and bready malt. Not overly complex but smells like cream soda.

T- Similar to the smell with vanilla being less noticeable, sweet bready malt and some faint citrus hop notes such as lemon zest.

M- Medium carbonation and light body. Mouthfeel is a little too watered down and was wishing it had a little creamier mouthfeel.

O- While the vanilla is noticeable, there really isn't anything else going on with this beer. The mouthfeel is too watered down which hurt this brew. Not bad, but nothing memorable.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 03:30:47 | More by iadler

JayS2629

Alabama

3.25/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had high hopes on this because I am one of vanilla's biggest fans. I was disappointed.

A- Hazy yellow gold wwith a creamy white head. Little lacing.

S- Sweet malts, Grassy. Slight skunk. Musty. Of course there is a hint of vanilla but not as strong as I wanted. Weak smell. Very faint.

T- Sweet, bready. Pilsner. Weak hops. Cream soda. Real vanilla, but barely taste it. Stronger smell than taste. Skunk on the end.

D- Goes down fairly easy. I keep looking for vanilla and coming up short. Skunk taste makes the drinkability suffer for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 14:33:43 | More by JayS2629

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden with a relatively thin white head. Smells like frosted breakfast ceral with milk and a splash of vanilla. Tastes like diet vanilla cream soda. I think the light hops here emulate the bitterness of the artificial sweetner. As bad as that sounds, it's not terrible. Extremely creamy and the vanilla is restrained. Crackery malt makes this lighter and dryer than it could easily be. Interesting enough and several of my house guests liked it, but I probably won't buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 22:47:02 | More by Georgiabeer