Back to fill the weekend with some much-needed beery goodness, Tasting Notes returns with a look at Pistachio Cream Ale from Indeed Brewing Company (Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Originally introduced in February 2020 as a taproom exclusive that just caught fire and earned “instantaneous success and [a] cult following,” Pistachio Cream Ale is a Cream Ale infused with pistachio essence to offer just the right amount of nutty flavor and aroma. Coming in at 5.5% ABV, Pistachio Cream Ale “does not disappoint with a subtly nutty and malty flavor that leaves a spritzy mouthfeel. It’s a beer to go unabashedly nuts for.”

Pistachio Cream Ale is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering at craft beer-focused establishments located within Indeed’s distribution footprint in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Now that we have all the background info covered, let’s crack open this can of nuts and see what it is all about over some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Pistachio Cream Ale from Indeed Brewing Company

Appearance: Poured from a 12 oz. can into a shaped pint glass, Pistachio Cream Ale pours a pale golden in color with almost three fingers of rocky, bright white foam resting gently on top. When held to direct light, richer golden tones push through and allow the beer to glow softly. The beer is pristine in clarity and shows off an abundance of small, fast-moving carbonation bubbles streaming within. Head retention is good, falling slowly to a lasting and more manageable half finger that lays down some wide arcing patterns of lace on the glass after each sip.

Aroma: Pale malt sweetness leads the way here and is accompanied by just a kiss of corn. The hops offer a touch of tropical fruitiness and some candy-like melon notes. The profile closes with a long hit of subtle pistachio nuttiness.

Taste: Pistachios step forward onto the palate first along with a grace of vanilla sweetness. This translates as a semi-sweet pistachio ice cream-like character, and it is divine. The hops gently break up the sweetness mid-sip with a touch of floral and tropical tones. The beer closes on a light wave of corn and pale malt.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body with a medium carbonation level, this Cream Ale has an airy, creamy texture that glides slowly across the palate. The beer is a bit sweet, but it is balanced well in the finish and dries out nicely. The 5.5% ABV is slightly noticeable, but it is nothing more than the occasional tickle of warmth in the throat. The aftertaste is just a touch of sweet pistachio and corn.

Final Thoughts: Indeed’s Pistachio Cream Ale is absolutely nuts. It is somehow both a sweet treat and a crushable brew perfect for sessioning on warm days. It is both dynamic and wildly approachable. It is everything I thought it could not be and it delighted on each and every sip as it proved me wrong. It is a legit pistachio experience wrapped around all the easy-drinking goodness you hope to get out of a Cream Ale. For lack of a better word, it achieves perfection when it comes to its every intention.

This was easily a surprise hit of the year for me and it is a beer that I will go out of my way to seek out again. Pistachio Cream Ale is without a doubt a must try for any pistachio-lovin’ beer nerd out there. Prost!