Tallgrass Velvet Rooster - Tallgrass Brewing Company

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.55/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pillowy white head sits atop a regal gold body of nectoar. Lacing is very full. Aroma is bready and lemony. A little spice and hay. Flavor is a little sourdough, some lemongrass, cakey yeastiness, pepper.... Really nice. I expect nothing less from this fine brewery. Highly drinkable and flavorful. Light medium body with a soft feel to it and alcohol presence is barely detectable. A winner.

Serving type: cask

11-13-2011 04:46:28 | More by Bighuge

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.16/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

16 oz can poured into a Tallgrass tulip.
8.5% ABV, Drink By 02/21/14

A - Shimmering golden in color, this clear beer is crowned with a lofty but fleeting white head. The loose foam crumbles away to a halo of suds leaving delicate wisps of lace on the glass.

S - Velvet Rooster smells the part of a Belgian tripel with it's open and deep Belgian yeast aroma. Spiciness flourishes with notes of banana and a dash of white pepper circling around the clove and lemongrass while a fragrant floral note overlaps the malt. Sweet pilsner malt and Belgian candi sugar lay the ground work for all the yeast esters.

T - The aroma's more subtle sweetness really pushes forward in flavor oppressing the yeast esters quite a bit as Velvet Rooster starts with caramel and pilsner malt and moves in to a lingering impression of Belgian yeast. Those flavors of banana, clay, white pepper, and lemongrass return with an an addition of fruity alcohol notes and an earthy finish of grass clippings and earth.

M - Sticky and sweet starting, Velvet Rooster evens out with a minor thinning alcohol bite and spicy, lingering feel. Medium bodied, this nicely carbonated tripel finishes well on the back of the throat.

O - Velvet Rooster is a fine Belgian style tripel that showcases what yeast can really add to a beer; spice, sweetness, and earthy hops all blend well with a kiss of alcohol on the finish for a delectable brew!

Serving type: can

05-23-2013 00:36:33 | More by BeerFMAndy

Jacurdy60

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

A-Pours a hazy pale golden, yellow color with a thick, 2 finger white head that retains very well. Leaves a nice latticework of foam as I sip

S-Dank cheese, wheat, yeast hit the nose. Faint notes of oranges come through in the background

T-Spices come through at the front of the palate. Spiced orange, coriander, and cinnamon. Finishes the same. Very simple taste. Semi-dry finish

MF-Smooth, very smooth. As the name would suggest. Drinkable, but very sticky and smooth. Love the way it feels on the palate

O-A great tripel. And it comes in a can. It's a simple brew, but sometimes simple is just what you need.

Serving type: nitro-can

04-20-2013 00:55:45 | More by Jacurdy60

alex_hart

Oklahoma

4.31/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

served in a pint glass at a bar.

first quality beer I have ever had the privilege of drinking out of a can.

the feel is clean and refreshing. just as the name says, it is velvety smooth, but with a kick. smell some florals, but the taste is what really got me. light fruits that give it a nice candied sweetness, delicious belgian yeast, and some warm spice. this was delicious and will soon become a 4 pack purchase.

Serving type: can

03-02-2013 04:19:13 | More by alex_hart

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

The pour reveals a hazy, straw colored golden body beneath the rocky, pure white head which is very slow to dissipate before leaving a scattered,yet sticky lacing.

Generous aromas of yeast, floral notes, and perhaps white grapes float from the glass.

Flavors of wild flowers, Belgian yeast, champagne, and perhaps straw or grass highlight the palate. There may also be just the slightest hint of spice. It really sweetens up as it warms.

Generous carbonation accompanies the lighter body with a crisp,somewhat champagne like finish.

This is a pretty nice American example of the style. I enjoyed the fruity and floral notes accompanying the nose and flavor as well as the fresh finish.

Serving type: can

02-25-2013 00:17:59 | More by CHADMC3

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.06/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a stunning golden hue with great clarity. A once two finger head has now become a thin white film atop the beer. The translucence of this one leads me to believe it was not bottle conditioned.

Aroma: Lightly bready malt with sweet apple and some pear with a nice overall sweetness. A typical Tripel aroma but scaled back a bit.

Taste: Taking a few sips to really take in all the flavors. Starts with lightly toasted malt and a little biscuit. Quickly picks up some complexity about halfway through when flavors of light fruits mix in with the malt. A delectable belgian candi syrup comes through near the end and gives a sweetness that the flavor has been building up to. Finish is a little dry but also very smooth with lingering sweetness as well as the flavor and texture of a pear. I can't identify any spices on the palate besides a distant echo of clove. At 8.5% ABV it should be a sipper but the alcohol is completely hidden.

Mouthfeel: I was vigorous with my pour and even swirled the glass a bit to get rid of excess carbonation, leaving me with an average effervescent level for the style. The body feels like it's right at medium. The ease of drinkability is uncanny.

Final Thoughts: I wasn't sure what to expect from an American craft brewery taking on such a highly acclaimed Belgian style, but I'm definitely impressed. Usually Tripels have a yeasty flavor that ruins part of the experience for me, but Velvet Rooster's clean taste is exactly what I've been looking for in this style. Would I drink it again? Yes.

Serving type: can

02-08-2013 22:54:25 | More by JamesMN

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Special thanks to BulbMan for sending this one over! This beer poured out as hazy golden yellow color with a white head on top. The retention and lacing were pretty good on this one. The smell of the beer is sweet, with some bready wheat and spice on the nose. The taste of the beer is sweet with some soft fruity notes as hints of spice and more bread. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy. Overall it's a really nice beer. Not the best Tripel out there but still worth trying.

Serving type: can

01-16-2013 03:03:33 | More by Knapp85

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I've decided that I like tripels. It goes near the top of styles that I prefer over others. This one isn't a great one, but it is a darn good one and <$10/4-pack it's one of the best deals for a style pretty much is good an any time/anyplace.
The aroma isn't quite as bright and clear as the best. It's a little more muddied. But it is nice and spicy with a solid pale malt background.
Big full white head with lacing and clear and golden.
Nice malt flavor with a bit of tart and finishing with a lingering soft, but apparent bitterness. Just a touch of hop flavors and yeasty spiciness that mingles in the flavors start to finish. It's a nice yeast. It combines with the malt to make a doughy and vanilla quality along with the spice. It is quite enjoyable.
Slightly light as it should be.
This is an overall satisfying beer-that says a lot.

Serving type: can

01-13-2013 03:45:11 | More by garymuchow

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

pint can into Hardywood Park tulip. drink by 11/12/13.

A: a hazed orange/yellow hue. bright white head, very fluffy. retention is solid. a steady long lacing left behind.

S: apple juice. pears. mild pineapple. there is grain undertones beneath all this fruit, but definitely more on the fruity side of tripel's.

T: super fruity, sweetness is a plenty. similar to the nose there is a grain cereal flavor. the finish is phenolic and lingers for a bit.

M: a decent amount of carb. medium/full body.

D: a pretty solid sessionable tripel from an American brewery. wouldn't hate it if more American breweries could make tripel's like this one. tasty.

Serving type: can

01-09-2013 05:18:29 | More by Jimmys

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.01/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 16 oz. can sent by the Man who CAN, woodychandler, a few weeks ago. I'd spotted this beer on my Midwest trip around Labor Day and failed to grab one - thanks for havin' my back, Woody!

To start with, this is among the most appealing and eye-catching can designs I've seen - the two multi-color roosters seem to strut right off the label. A 'Belgian-Style Tripel' in a pint can? Nice!

A: Properly hazy golden pour with a magnificent head, nearly 2-fingers of rocky/fluffy whiteness. Lace doesn't stick as well as it could and there's a little suspended debris (on close inspection, but generally it's a solid/attractive tripel.

S: Nutty/bready/sweet/candied fruit aroma of a good tripel... it's got honey and apples and dates with plenty of sticky-bun malt. Surprisingly though, not *too* sweet - some grassy hops even out the sugary scents.

T: Fine fruit/malt sweetness - one that offers plenty of yeasty spice and a white grape and crisp apple sort of backing. Balancing backbone of darker/earthier spice, a touch of pepper but then a drawn-out sweet/spice finish.

M: Very smooth, rich, not overly carbonated. A little grainy starch gives a teeth-coating stickiness (meh... never really enjoy this, but it's 'to style'). Medium-full body, to be expected from a stronger beer like this.

O: As good a tripel as I've ever tried from a can (ok, so this is my first...) and a worthy example. If Tallgrass cans were available in our area, I'd seek these out; as such I'll look again next time I'm in the Midwest.

Serving type: can

12-26-2012 16:03:40 | More by msubulldog25

acelin

Kansas

4.45/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

What a superb beer. Poured from the awesome can into a tulip glass.

This is one of the clearest tripels I've ever seen. It's that perfect yellow color, but clearer, with a good head that leaves a thick lacing down the sides of the glass. Spot on for the style.

This beer smells like sweet wheat malt, hay, grape, peach, and spice. Not as strong as a Chimay or another authentic abbey beer.

The taste really shines. It's wonderful. It's quite sweet, very floral, and fruity - more grapes and peach. The spice finishes quite nicely, and isn't overpowering. Bravo!

Mouthfeel is perfect , out of a can even. Can't wait to try this on tap.

Serving type: can

12-06-2012 19:30:45 | More by acelin

Jparker37

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can poured into a goblet.

A - Light gold with a slight haze to it. Medium sized white head is rocky and holds a tight cap. Small bit of lacing left.

S - Floral, which has a citrus undertone. I get a little bit of some grainy malt. Sweet, I foresee some candy sugar.

T - Husky base malt into a fruity/sugary sweetness. Little bit of some musty/earthy hops right before it finishes with a mellow alcohol warmth that "hides" it alright. After swirling the remaining beer and adding it, the extras yeast adds a nice sharper feel mid-palate.

M - Medium bodied, semi-sweet midway through but dries up nicely, medium carbonation.

O - Nice aroma profile but never really jumping out of my glass. Flavor was quite complex like a good tripel. Could have used a bit more carbonation and stayed a little lighter on my palate.

Serving type: can

10-26-2012 00:09:36 | More by Jparker37

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Slightly hazy golden with a few finger head and tons of spotty lacing.

S - Sweet malt, very fruity with over ripe melon, banana, light lemon and stone fruits. Candi sugar and light pepper.

T - Fairly sweet with over ripe melon and banana. Light pepper spice, candi sugar a bit of phenolic yeast.

M - Medium to full body and appears to be lighter on the carbonation but that may just be the full feeling. Leaves an almost soapy texture behind in the mouth.

D - The sweetness and over ripe fruits of this one make it a little too much for me.

Serving type: can

10-05-2012 01:10:06 | More by brewcrew76

martyl1000

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I love this. On tap at Coopers Tavern Madison. A beautiful hazy peach color in a tulip glass. An inch of white foam that dissipates quickly but leaves ornate lacing stuck permanently to the glass.

The aroma is overly polite, seeming to hold back certain depths of fruit and grass and fresh-baked dinner roll. The flavor in the mouth is plenty up-front showing the way to a wonderland of hop brightness tempered by sweet malt and expanded by a diaphanous barnyard funk.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2012 23:47:06 | More by martyl1000

metter98

New York

3.63/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is hazy golden yellow in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin bright white head that gradually died down but never completely faded away, leaving lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are aromas of sweet malts and Belgian yeast in the nose along with notes of spices and hints of lemon. The citrus becomes a little stronger as the beer warms up.
T: The taste is quite malty for a tripel and has notes of Belgian yeast and spices. There are some hints of lemon citrus in the finish, which also has lingering notes of peppery spices.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The finish leaves a bit of dryness in your mouth.
O: This beer definitely tastes strong but the alcohol is well hidden from the taste. It’s not a bad tripel considering it came from a can.

Serving type: can

09-01-2012 13:41:09 | More by metter98

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.45/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a balloon glass.

The beer pours a hazy light orange/copper hue. A foamy white head recedes to a wisp and some random bubbles. Lacing is thick and webbed.

The beer smells floral and of apricots, bananas, and a touch of sweet caramel.

The taste is equally diverse and sweet. A nice malty sweetness with hints of caramel comes first. Then a sweet banana note explodes, with a tangy citrus follow-up.

The mouthfeel is carbonated and dry.

Overall, a tasty tripel, and a sneaky amount of alcohol that can get you. But a really tasty beer here.

Serving type: can

08-11-2012 15:49:51 | More by JuicesFlowing

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a cloudy bright golden straw yellow in color that seems to glow when held up to the light. The beer has a two finger tall bright white creamy head that reduces to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a much thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: There are moderate strength smells of pale malts with some sweetness, banana esters, spicy Belgian yeasts, and just a hint of clove. Some light floral notes as well.

T: The beer starts out with a pale malt body that almost has a hint of paste-like flavor and some light amounts of sweetness. There are notes of banana + clove as well as spicy Belgian yeasts.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Some light to moderate amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: Certainly I have not had a lot of Belgian styled tripels from a can before (if ever) but this is a pretty solid offering. If Tallgrass was available where I lived, I could see this being a great tailgating beer during football season. Easy to drink, enjoyable, and the fairly high ABV is extremely well hidden.

Serving type: can

08-10-2012 22:12:14 | More by dbrauneis

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving type: 16-ounce can. No freshness date.

Appearance: Served in a tulip. The color is hazy, light gold. Two fingers of off-white head took its time dissipating to a spotted lacing and sudsy ring around the edge.

Smell: Clean, grassy, and floral with clove spice and a hint of Belgian funkiness hanging in the background. It also has a vinous tinge of grapes and sweet apple.

Taste: Very smooth and well-balanced; everything from the smell blends perfectly. It is grassy and floral with a little clove spice, and the farmhouse funkiness is also noticeable. It also has an apple cider tartness and spicy bite.

Drinkability: Tommy likey. Tommy want (rooster) wingy. This is the best Tallgrass offering I have had so far (and probably the de facto best beer I have had from Kansas).

Serving type: can

08-08-2012 03:29:40 | More by TheQuietMan22

JEdmund

Kansas

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Golden and clear, small head, little retention.

Soft aroma that is both bready and perfumy. Not strong on either though. Some honey and lemon detectable too.

Flavor starts off with a really nice malt profile, with almost an oat-like flavor (definitely a similar taste found in Halcyon Wheat), then it gives way to some honey sweetness, followed by a slight pepper spice and dry, hop bite. A pretty complex ale, though it’s also light and easy-drinking—definitely deceiving in it strength. Not as champagne-effervescent as they describe, but I’m also not bothered by it either. Body feels full without being heavy. After breaking down its individual flavors, it’s nice to let it all wash together and really enjoy the harmony of flavors.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a tripel (because I’m not a big fan of them), and I’m glad I took a chance on Tallgrass’. I’m impressed with Velvet Rooster and will be seeking it out again.

Serving type: can

07-29-2012 01:40:21 | More by JEdmund

smakawhat

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the can into a tulip glass.

From the can a nice creamy white head, fluffy, with about three fingers not so uniform sits on a orange/brown and opaque body. Nice rising pinhead columns of carbonation.

Nose is interesting. Mild belgian classic sense of thick malt and sugar, but a nice mix of pastry like butter and sweet croissant. Is this a fault that works? Cream. Faint dry spices but more malt and sweetness are apparent than anything. I call good.

Palate is a bit muted. Hop angle hints toward Belgian IPA on the finish, light malts bring forth by quite a good solid fulll mouthfeel body that should hint at the richness but doesn't quite get there. Mild finish of butter and hop, there is not much rich sweetness on this though. It's a very different tasting tripel than I can think of what I've had. Doesn't come off to boozy either.

Overall I don't mind this, I am sort of really just above borderline. IT's very unique and interesting, but it's also missing lots of things I like in this style particularly a sense of richness and sweetness (but not too sweet). I could have this again, but don't desire to.

Serving type: can

07-25-2012 23:47:20 | More by smakawhat

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter

A: Opaque, golden with a white half finger head that dissipates pretty fast. Lots of lacing.

S: Floral, fruity, roses, Belgian yeast.

T: Follows nose with a slightly bitter, hoppy finish.

M: High with strong carbonation. Frothy and (yes) velvety.

O: A nice surprise coming from a can. Trippel meets farmhouse ale. Even smoother as it warms. Cock a doddle doo! Would drink more.

Serving type: can

07-07-2012 16:49:38 | More by brewskifan55

Sheeeeeeep

Mississippi

2.65/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Abbey Ales are probably my favorite, but this one didn't do it for me. Has the right notes, color, but both smells and tastes on the sweet side. Instead of a light caramel/honey like sweetness it has more of a saccharine flavor to it. It lingers a bit in your mouth afterwards.

Not great, but not my favorite.

Serving type: can

07-06-2012 00:58:26 | More by Sheeeeeeep

Reed06

5/5  rDev +31.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hello, was introduced to Velvet Rooster within the last month or so, what a pleasant surprise! I see myself keeping a four pack cold and ready for consumption when the time is right. If you are a Belgian Wheat fan, you will love the taste of this beer. I rate this Tallgrass product a must try, underline, exclamation point. You will not be disappointed. If I were asked to make a recommendation to someone new to craft brew products, Velvet Rooster would definitely be in my top three. After I tasted this porduct based upon the recommendation of a friend, his credability was firmly established with me. He knew what he was talking about. I'm confident that once you try this beer, you too will become a fan of the rich, full taste of this superb product.
SR

Serving type: can

07-01-2012 16:13:01 | More by Reed06

afandre

4.2/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I'm a Belgian beer snob. I used to feel like if a beer didn't have the trappist seal it wasn't worth having. But I've been known to stray from the faith and the Velvet Rooster is my go to when I fall from grace.

In a can should be blasphemy, but it's a salvation when proper glassware can't be found, disc golf will never be the same with gourmet beer in a can.

On to the tasting... The velvet pours a golden hazy brown, sniffs a Belgian phenolic scent with a citrus bite. And the taste is a complex, blend of citrus, yeast and phenols, just how a Belgian should be.

Enjoyable, and available without a bottle opener, everything you want for a summer afternoon golf game.

Serving type: can

06-29-2012 23:20:48 | More by afandre

sommersb

Tennessee

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 06-19-2012
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 16 oz. can
Glassware: Tulip
Purchased: Received in a trade

A: Color is dark golden and slightly hazy. The white head stands 2 fingers high, showing a fair amount of retention and good lacing.

S: Smells are sweet and malty, with some spicy phenols and floral hops. Very nice aromas.

T: Taste is sweet and spicy, with a light bitterness. Other flavors are of tropical fruits and some pepper notes.

M: Crisp with a high amount of carbonation. Medium bodied, it finishes dry and a little bitter, with some spices and alcohol warmth.

O: This is probably the first Belgian style I've had from a can, so that was a bit unusual, but I think Tallgrass did a very good job with this ale.

Thanks to TheBishopco for this one!

Serving type: can

06-20-2012 00:59:42 | More by sommersb