Try?
So, I really wanted to try Narragansett Cream Ale. The problem is Narragansett Cream Ale is not sold in Georgia, where I live. No problem. Enter Beerjobber.com, an online beer retailer that promises fresh beer to your door, direct from the brewery to you. You’ll pay a little extra for the privilege, of course, but for some of it, it’s worth it.
My case of Narragansett Cream Ale cost me $60 all told, including $15 for UPS ground shipping. That’s not so bad, since these were 16 –ounce “kinger” cans. They usually retail for about $7.99 for a six-pack, meaning a case of 24 (what was shipped to me) would retail for about $32. Another $13 for the case (plus the shipping) is a small premium to pay for beer you can’t get in your area.
Overall, I was pleased with the service. It did take a while for my beer to ship (over a week, and then three days for UPS to deliver it). But the beer did arrive at my door extremely fresh and weas shipped straight from the UPS terminal in Warwick, Rhode Island. Beerjobber’s customer service was very good, and they did follow up with me several times until I got my beer.
Cream Ale is the newest year-round beer in Narragansett’s line. This isn’t the first time New England has seen a Narragansett Cream Ale, however. The original Narragansett Brewing Company, which operated a brewery in Cranston, Rhode Island, offered cream ale as well. Today’s Narragansett Cream Ale was selected by fans over a rye ale in a popular vote to select the new permanent brew.
Cream Ale, of course, is a hybrid style combining a warm ale yeast fermentation of a light malty brew with a cold conditioning akin to a lager. In many respects this makes it similar to German kolsch. Genesee Cream Ale is perhaps the most famous version of this truly American style, though Narragansett seems to be going for a bit more hoppy and flavorful version of the style.
The brewery says this about Cream Ale:
Brewed with 2-row American pale malt, carafoam, nugget and willamette hops and weighing in at 5% ABV and 22 IBUs, this is going to be one tasty brew. ….From the late 1800′s to the 1970′s, no Rhode Island parade was complete without the ‘Gansett beer wagon, carrying styles from Lager to Porter —to a Cream Ale like this one, an easy-drinking ale with a smooth malt character.
Narragansett
Cream Ale pours to a pale golden color with a
thick, spritzy head formation and a soft biscuit malt nose. Taking a sip,
the beer has a refreshing crisp malt character that is slightly toasty,
biscuity, clean and free of adjuncts. I allowed mine to warm a little
before drinking, and I think this allowed the gentle grassy hop bitterness
to emerge more fully in the finish. Chill the beer and the bitterness will
be lass apparent, though I can see this beer as being very refreshing ice
cold in warm weather.
My sample was very fresh indeed, and this allowed the delightful soft malt character to shine through all the more. In some respects, this beer doesn’t seem all that different from the flagship Narragansett Lager beer, but I’m quite happy that I bought a case. As an old Rhode Islander, I enjoy having some ‘Gansett on hand at all times, and will be ordering their beer through Beerjobber regularly. It is a lot cheaper than a trip to Rhode Island, after all. Now if only I could get clam cakes and chowder delivered to my door......
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
