Thomas Creek Stillwater Vanilla Cream Ale - Thomas Creek Brewery

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

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

Gyle41386

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Always nice to try out some SC beers. Thomas Creek's Class Five wasn't spectacular, but Up the Creek showed some real potential. I thought this sounded like a tasty beer the first time I heard its name.

Pours a golden yellow with about a finger and a half of rich, creamy head. The foam is thick and retains very well, and leaves behind some impressive lacing. Lots of bubbly activity in the glass. You can't ask for a better looking cream ale.

Not really pulling much from the nose at all. It's got a bit of a pilsener vibe, thanks in part to what smells like lemony hops, but with a touch of vanilla.

The flavor basically follows the aroma. Lightly sweet up front from the vanilla, with a touch of hop bitterness in the finish. It's got the malt sweetness and grainy kind of flavor that gives off the pilsener vibe again. I don't know the ingredients, and I'm no hop expert, but these taste German.

Medium light body. Feels maybe a tad over carbonated. Not much to contemplate with this one. Just an easy drinker. I'm pretty pleased with this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2009 03:26:16 | More by Gyle41386

MrStark

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

Appearance clear gold with a one-finger white foamy head. Lots of rising bubbles. The head sticks around pretty much till the end, with a little bit of lacing.

Smell seams pretty faint. Just a hint of vanilla and hops. Nothing too impressive.

Taste has a mild vanilla sweetness. A small amount of hops towards the end. It almost has the quality of a cream soda. The vanilla isn't as prominent as I had hoped though.

Mouthfeel is fairly light bodied with plenty of carbonation.

Drinkability is not too bad. I could see this as a session beer if your in the mood for something a little sweet. Goes down pretty easy.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2009 21:00:40 | More by MrStark

cdizinno

South Carolina

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Presentation: poured into a tulip glass from a brown bottle as pictured.

A: Golden yellow with a thin white head and minimal lacing.

S: Faint vanilla and hop scent.

T&M: Light to medium bodied with moderate to heavy carbonation. Nice light ale taste with mild vanilla flavor that is stronger up front and fades slowly in the background. Dry finish.

Decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2009 01:08:24 | More by cdizinno

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

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

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

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

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.3/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a clear, pale yellow body with a small-sized, white head.

Smell: Sweet-scented vanilla additive amongst light pilsner malt notes and some spicy-minded hop accents.

Taste: Sweetish pale malts and lightly grainy pils come together with a taste of vanilla flavoring. Spicy hop character with a medium amount of bitterness. Small hint of citrus. Light bitterness and final taste of vanilla in the dry, crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Drinkability: An acceptable, generally easy-drinking beer, but, for me, the gimmick wears a bit thin halfway through the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2009 03:48:51 | More by ChainGangGuy

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

HeyItsChili

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Blonde with a small to medium white head that sticks to the inside of my glass.

S - Smells sugary with hints of vanilla and honey

T - Crisp yet creamy, lots of vanilla and honey as the smell suggests.

M - Creamy but not thick, lingering in the mouth a bit after a sip.

D - Very drinkable if you're into a sweet beer. Not too heavy, but not overpoweringly sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 23:23:58 | More by HeyItsChili

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

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

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

atsprings

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Hadn't had this one in a while but remembered it's quite refreshing. Served a nice gold yellow with a thin head that lasts as a thin layer. Aroma was some sweet malt and just a hint of vanilla. The taste is a nice subtle blend of vanilla and malt. The beer is nice and light with a refreshing crisp bite. This is a decent beer if you're looking for summer refreshment.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2008 18:31:25 | More by atsprings

clemsonbrewer

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hazy lemon yellow appearance. HUGE white fluffy head that hangs around a long while. A thin head stays on the beer the whole time with good sticky lacing decorating the glass gracefully. Sweet grain smell. There's not a lot of vanilla in the smell like I had suspected but still a great smelling beer. Sweet grain taste with vanilla coming through in the end and hints of lemon shining through at random times. Such a creamy feel to it with a sweet citrus palate. This is a great brew from a brewery on the way up.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2007 04:06:35 | More by clemsonbrewer

beeragent

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Finally, I am able to try this brew. While on vacation in Tennessee, I was able to find a store that carried this. As a fan of vanilla beers, I have been waiting a few years to try this and it finally happened. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a glass. The beer pours a light clear straw, forming a good 1 inch head that slowly faded. The aroma is an interesting mix of vanilla and what smells like grain. The taste further brings out a grainy character, but also plenty of vanilla flavoring, along with a balanced hop and malt presence. Not complex, but still tasty. The mouthfeel is smooth and light. Low abv. and decent flavor make for a very drinkable beer. While not as sweet as some other flavored beers, this is still not something that I would want to drink continuously all night, but a great beer to start the night with or in between the heavy-bodied brews. Overall, well worth the wait IMO. I just wish this was available in Texas. Definitely worth seeking out on future out-of-state trips.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2007 03:48:16 | More by beeragent

Wasatch

Utah

3.63/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes to slcbrewer for this one.

Pours a cloudy darker yellow color, nice carbonation, nice little off-white head, some islands and sticky lacing follows. The nose is malty, hoppy, some hint of vanilla, some caramel. The taste is malty/hoppy, some hint of vanilla, the finish is pretty dry. Medium body. Drinkable, not too bad of a brew, would be great for the hot days of summer.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2007 00:51:12 | More by Wasatch

3.7/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle courtesy of bobbyc881

Hazy, pale yellow in color. Large, creamy, off-white head.

Aroma had vanilla (surprise!), but not too heavy handed. Spicy and citrusy. Bit of sweet character, kinda like honey.

Taste was very citrusy, mainly lemon. Taste was not really sweet at all. Aftertase showed some of the vanilla (faint) and grass.

Light in body. Almost too carbonated. Pretty dry.

Overall, a good summer beer. Simple, but easy to enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2007 14:55:13 | More by

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

daliandragon

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Finding just this strange cream ale, and nothing else from Thomas Creek (or all of SC) anywhere in the area, but just this, is why I love the Peace Street Market. Just tons of wacky, different stuff every month or so. At first, I thought this was a root beer, why else would vanilla be involved, but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

Head and lacing are snow white and fluffy. Body is a bright amber and translucent. Nose is fairly weak and doesn't remind you of beer at all. Taste is creamy and smooth with a blast of vanilla overriding the hops about halfway into the sip but finishes crisp and reasonably clean under the circumstances. Mouthfeel is solid and holds the taste together well.

I don't think this is something I'll be buying on a regular basis but it is original and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2006 04:22:22 | More by daliandragon

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Gotta' say, this was a fun beer to drink. Not that the quality was all that great, but I appreciate the creativity. I enjoyed the light ale flavors with the mild addition of vanilla. The beer takes on a confectionate-like sweetness (cotton candy-ish). The source of the sweetness is questionable until the vanilla aromas enter the ofactories. The a light buttery note accompanies the light fruity, estery maltiness. Tastes much the same as expected from the aromas. A soft sweetness up front, then increasing vanilla flavors toward the finish. The beer weakens into the finish with a light bitterness (not hop diriven). With the higher carbonation, the beer gets very cream-soda-like. A good thing, but it just doesn't mean it's a quality beer. I've got to give them cool points though.

Serving type: on-tap

10-18-2006 15:49:23 | More by BEERchitect

veech

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This was a solid beer but the flavors were a little too strong for me personally. The appearance and smell were both good with vanilla dominating the nose. The taste was strong vanilla bean that trumped everything else. Mouthfeel was fine, but drinkability was hampered by the over the top vanilla flavor. This beer when blended with their doppelbock was much smoother and balanced. I would recommend blending it as the brewer's wife suggested when I sampled it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2006 17:26:53 | More by veech

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