cream ale
noun
plural cream ales
: a pale, light-bodied American ale that is typically lagered and often brewed with corn or rice
Cream ales are relatively rare among craft breweries, and the style name in and of itself is confusing. Cream ales contain no cream, and, in fact, are not all that smooth in mouthfeel.—Carla Jean Lauter
Cream ale is a style born of immigration and competition. Before the mid-1800s, American brewing was centered on making English-style ales. The 1840s, though, saw a large influx of immigrants from Germany who brought lager brewing with them. … Facing this new competition, the ale brewers responded by essentially creating an ale-fermented version of German pale lagers.—Michael Agnew
Cite this Entry
“Cream ale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cream%20ale. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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