Mike Hess 'Grazias' Vienna-Style Cream Ale

Mike Hess 'Grazias' Vienna-Style Cream Ale. 6.3% abv. 30 IBU. Dark ruby color. Thick creamy head. Good retention. Small bits of lace. Sweet nose of malt, vanilla, hops. Front taste of caramel, vanilla, roasted malt, herbal hops, notes of cocoa. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky. Aftertaste is balanced hops with vanilla and a toasted biscuity taste.

This is an excellent cream ale, hoppier and a more complex than its category warrants. I look forward to trying the rest of the lineup from this rising nano-brewer. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A twist on the old-world classic Vienna lager, our signature beer is smooth, malty and perfectly balanced with Noble hops. It has a creamy, smooth texture, and the malt contributes chocolate, vanilla and slightly toasted flavors that play off the German hops for a sublime flavor and a surprisingly dark color."

Mike Hess beers are new to my neck of the woods. I'm enjoying this one at Das Bierhaus, a bottle shop in the Tower District.