This week, we are heading back west to Bravus Brewing Co. out of Anaheim, California. While I don’t typically like to bounce back and forth between beers from the same brewery, read on and you’ll see the connection with last week’s Bravus Blonde and this week’s selection.
Orange Vanilla Cream Ale
Today, we are drinking the Orange Vanilla Cream Ale by Bravus Brewing Co. They say imitation is the best form of flattery, and from that sentiment it appears this beer was born. Bravus Brewing’s Orange Vanilla Cream Ale was inspired by another local brewery who made an alcoholic beer called “Cali Creamin’”, and Bravus’ brewers decided to make their own take on the sweet California classic.
How Does it Pour?
This non-alcoholic beer pours somewhat flat, hiding its mild carbonation within the tiny bubbles inside. The little head you do get is a stark white. Aromas that pop off the top are not of the popsicle variety, as the label would have you believe, but more like candy. The orange’s subtly blends with the sweet honey notes to create a candy-like scent just before you drink it.
How Does it Taste?
The flavors hit you at once and some mixed with others, almost muting one another. I went into this ale with the expectation of orange, vanilla, and lactose. What it had was orange, vanilla, and honey. The honey added a sweet aspect that was nice to bring you back to the popsicle picture on the can, but that’s where it ended. The honey muted the orange flavor and the vanilla missed its potential as the “cream” aspect by not having a small dose of lactose to play against. With the height of lactose IPAs not too far in the rearview, I would have expected that ingredient in this beer and I think it would have brought a more balanced profile. The final taste that hits the back of your mouth is a roasted malt, very reminiscent of their Blonde Ale.
Flashback Friday
To call back to our previous beer, Bravus Blonde Ale, the piece missing there was a little sweet, citrus kick. You could add an orange slice to the beer, or, like I did, and you’ll hear more about this in the future, I combined the Orange Vanilla Cream Ale with the Blonde. This create a nice balance for both beers and calmed the roasted malt after taste that followed when you drank them. After all of this, I will continue to stay in the stout category of Bravus’ website, but if you’re looking for a summer treat or find yourself to be a malt monster mucking around, head over to Bravus’ and save 10% on me.
#ADDTOCART BRAVUS BREWING
ICYMI: Justin Lamb is Our Newest Sober Curator and is ALL About NA Brews
Love what you just read? Check out these additional posts from Justin. He’s working on curating the Ultimate NA Brew list.
- Do Blondes Have More Fun? Bravus Blonde Offers Up Hints of Banana and Sweet Malt
- Mikkeller Brewing Limbo Series with Yuzu Fruit is Fruity and Fabulous
- Craft Beer Drops the Alcohol, Keeps the Flavor
MOVIE NIGHT with The Sober Curator: Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night! Since you’re not binging on alcohol and drugs anymore, you’re going to need other activities to fill your time. Especially considering we are still in the middle of a global pandemic. Get your binge on with movies and TV series that The Sober Curator recommends.
Pop the popcorn, grab your fav alcohol-free bevie, NA Brew, or make your favorite mocktail, dish out your favorite treats and sweets, and settle in for some good old fashioned cinema entertainment.
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