Local Suds: Wet Coast Cream Ale

One classic style that deserves a little beer patriotism during the upcoming July 4th weekend is the cream ale. Brewers often call it a true American style because it emerged prior to Prohibition, as U.S. brewers looked for something to compete with the emerging popularity of the European-influenced lager brewing. The cream ale often has corn or rice in its grist, which produces a light body with distinctive crisp flavor. It’s a wonderful style for the warm days of summer.

Of course Wet Coast Brewing brewed a cream ale. West Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters turned brewers Bryan Copeland and Aaron Johnson have a love affair with the Prohibition era. Their Gig Harbor brewery is named after the 1932 presidential election where King, Pierce, and Spokane counties voted “wet,” meaning those citizens voted for Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt and his desire to bring back the drinkies, instead of Republican Pres. Herbert Hoover’s desire to keep “the noble experiment,” Prohibition. In addition, Wet Coast beers give a nod to Prohibition days, for instance “Hi Jack!” was used in speakeasies as a code word for law enforcement, Initiative 61 Pale was brewed in honor of the Washington ballot initiative that lead to the repeal of the Volstead Act, the informal name of the National Prohibition Act. We’re still looking into if Wet Coast Capone Prison Shiv Scotch Ale actually exists — stay tuned.

“Indeed, we use flaked corn in our recipe for crispness,” explains Wet Coast Sales Executive Paul Whitcomb. “But, what makes our Cream Ale unique and special is the addition of honey malt. It has a honey-like sweetness while still being crisp and clean, which is a wonderful combination. Galena hops bring a bright citrus component to this crushable cream ale. Customers often say it reminds them of a cream soda in a way.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Wet Coast Cream Ale (5%) awaits in the Peaks and Pints cooler.

LINK: Local Suds archive