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Ghost Town Brewing — Oakland, CA

23 May 2022 · Stephen

Cream Ale Ghost Town Brewing

4.6% ABV

12 IBU

Clear golden yellow Color

Contributing Factors

Presentation ✓

Character ✓

Experience ✓

Return ✓

4 / 4 I'd order another

Tasting Notes

Appearance Pale straw to light golden, brilliantly clear, with a thin white head and fine, lively carbonation. Classic cream ale in the glass — light, inviting, and unpretentious.

Aroma Clean and subtle — light grain, a faint sweetness, and a gentle floral hop note that reviewers describe as medium to strong floral for how low the IBU sits. Nothing demanding, nothing aggressive. Ghost Town's Pseudo-Pilsner designation shows up here — there's a faint lager-like crispness to the nose that keeps it fresh and clean.

Palate Light-bodied, smooth, and impeccably clean. The cream ale style brings a soft, rounded mouthfeel that sets it apart from a straight lager — there's a subtle creaminess mid-palate that makes the whole thing feel more substantial than 12 IBU and 4.6% would suggest. Mild, basic, and thoroughly satisfying — exactly what the style demands.

Finish Short, dry, and clean. The floral hop note lingers briefly before disappearing completely. Zero harshness, zero lingering bitterness — just a clean slate that makes the next pint automatic.

The Verdict

Ghost Town did the unthinkable — they built a $3 taproom staple that's genuinely worth drinking, packaged it in a can with a built-in brown bag, and created one of Oakland's most beloved regulars.

— Stephen · Contributing Factor Brewing · 23 May 2022