Tallgrass 8-Bit Pale Ale - Tallgrass Brewing Company

darthhamby

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I love the old school packing design, one of the best design ideas I have seen in a long time.

Appearance: Poured a slightly hazy amber. The head was a dense slightly off white color with nice retention and lacing.

Smell: The Galaxy hops absolutely is star of the show. Citrus, grass and I think a hint of passionfruit is what came to mind. Immediately I was inspired to brew with Galaxy.

Taste: The citrus notes of the Galaxy hops bursts out and leaves a nice warming sensation from the alcohol. I picked up a little caramel flavor. A little peppery at the end but would love to have homemade pot roast dinner.

Mouthfeel: Sweet with light carbonation. One of the better APA's in the midwest.

Overall: The beer did take me back to the day the Atari 2600 was released and that's a great memory. I enjoyed my APA and found it to be an easy drinking and was looking for the malt flavor to be more noticable. I may even make a cheddar soup with this.

Serving type: can

05-28-2012 17:03:33 | More by darthhamby

Flatlands

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer has been hard to track down in KC, it has been selling well so I figured there must be something different here. As a kid of the 80's, I love the can. Thanks Tallgrass for the cans, I'll recycle my bottles but would rather have a can. Good beer can come in a CAN! Ask Ska!

Anyway, this is a great Pale Ale that has to me has some IPA'ness but is not full on hops. It makes this Pale Ale more interesting and complex when you are in the mood for a less intense hop experience but still want a bit more kick than most APA's. The first drink starts you thinking IPA but then it smooths out, there is less bitter and then some sweetness and grass flavors. The galaxy hops make this beer and it is very well balanced.

Great Job Tallgrass! This is my favorite brew from these guys. Go Atari, NES and Sega.

Serving type: can

05-27-2012 15:29:44 | More by Flatlands

bfields4

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cloudy hazy golden body. Tight white frothy head. Nice lace.

Good aroma. Lemongrass spicy hop. Some graprfruit and nice citrus notes as the beer warms.

Lots of hop flavor here as well. Orange peel lemony. Light pale malt sweetness. Little slanted towards the hop.

Nice light smooth easy drinker. Still lots of flavor. Can't go wrong here. Probably won't blow beer nerds away, but I could drink this guy all day long.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 00:29:10 | More by bfields4

bump8628

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cool can. Bright gold with big swamp bubbles of white foam. Pour carefully or expect a clump of beer-clouding yeast to plop into the glass. I was expecting to be blasted by Galaxy hops, but instead find a nicely balanced pale ale. Lightly grainy malt with a biscuit note stands about evenly with the citrus and melon from the Galaxy. All around solid and fairly unique, not to mention it comes in cans, which are great for warm weather.

Serving type: can

05-17-2012 19:52:59 | More by bump8628

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks goes out to Bobby91w for sending this one my way in a recent trade as an extra! I’ve heard good things, so let’s do this! Served from can into a Samuel Smith imperial pint. Poured a golden yellow-orange with a one finger off-white head that remained throughout. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, citrus, citrus hop, wild onion, onion hop, and earth. The flavor was of sweet malt, citrus, citrus hop, onion hop, spicy hop, earth, wild onion, and subtle orange zest. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. This brew really shocked me as far as all of the elements going on in it. It kind of reminded me of a toned-back Gubna in a way only in Pale Ale form. This is definitely a good thing incase you were wondering… The aromas coming off of this thing smelled intense enough to be an IPA, but still delicate enough to give the hint that it is a Pale Ale. Really well done on this aspect. The flavor was quite nice and refreshing as well with a little bit of spicy hoppiness biting you on the followthrough. Definitely worth your time seeking this one out to try at least once. I’m glad that I did.

Serving type: can

05-15-2012 11:27:52 | More by thagr81us

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This poured out as a clear looking yellow color. The head was a little fizzy and white. Didn't leave much retention. The smell of the beer was hoppy with some malts shining through. The taste was on the bitter side, nothing too strong like an IPA would be. There was a slight sweetness in the beginning of each sip. The mouthfeel has a pretty sharp feeling carbonation to it. Overall the beer is drinkable, it's not something that really impressed me but it's decent.

Serving type: can

05-15-2012 03:12:28 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up in Tulsa last weekend...

Pours a semi-hazed gold with 3 fingers of pearl head. Haze never clears, good head retention & lacing

S: Grassy & lemony, some pear & apple notes

T; Follows the nose, some crackery & dry notes. Slight bready sweetness along wth some lemons & grapefruit as this warms, some grainy notes as well. Finishes with grassy & lemony hoppyness, along with grainy & dry notes, plus some pineyness

MF: Light/medium bodied with assertive carbonation, pretty good balance

This is very easy to drink but not a great APA. I would buy this again iif some of my "go tos" were not availible

Serving type: can

05-15-2012 02:49:53 | More by russpowell

homebrew311

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First off, I gotta say that this is one of the coolest cans I've seen. Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy yellowish gold, dense white heads that retains as a thin coating leaves plenty of lacing. The aroma starts with lemon and grass with a bit of bread coming through as it progresses. The flavor is similar to the nose with the addition of some caramel sweetness. The hops balance out the sweetness with a swift bitter finish of citrus and a touch of pine. The body is light to medium with an appropriate level of carbonation. Overall, this is a decent pale ale with some similarities to Daisy Cutter. The Galaxy hops don't shine through like I was hoping, but then again, I don't know how fresh this can is.

Serving type: can

05-14-2012 00:32:06 | More by homebrew311

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1 pint tallboy served into a Dogfish shaped pint glass.

A - 3 billowy fingers of white foam ontop of a cloudy golden brown body. The head forms a solid cap

S - Galaxy all the way, dry floral, dried tropical fruit, pineapple, papaya, grapefruit and lemon, cracker pale malt, green grass.

T - Peppery bitterness, dried pineapple fruit, grapefruit, very floral, citrus pulp, green grass, slightly sweet cracker malt. Finishes fruity and bitter. Grapefruit carries long into the aftertaste.

M - Moderate carbonation, light side of full bodied, semi-smooth feel.

Nice APA in a cool looking can. Love the galaxy hops and they really let them shine. The yeast is recognizable from the rest of the line up. Very good overall. The citrus really comes out when warm.

Serving type: can

05-10-2012 23:15:05 | More by StaveHooks

KarlHungus

Minnesota

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

This beer pours a slightly hazy bright orange color. The head is a massive two inches in height, and recedes slowly into a firm inch cap of bright white foam. This is one handsome looking beer. The aroma is of stone fruit, passion fruit, tangerines, and flower bed. There is a lot going on in this aroma, and it is also quite strong for the size of this beer. The taste is a bit drier than the aroma leads on, but I am really liking that. There is ample passion fruit and stone fruit with some nice floral notes rounding out the back end. The malt is present, but soft. It supports the hops well, and really lets them shine. There is a nice assertive bitterness in the finish, but it is well integrated into the beer. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with lively carbonation, and a silky texture. Overall, this is the best pale ale I've ever drank. I can't see how this beer could possibly be improved on. It is sure to become a regular in my refrigerator.

Serving type: can

05-10-2012 22:29:09 | More by KarlHungus

Mdog

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Slightly hazy, lots of yeast particles in suspension, good head.

Smell: Grassy.

Taste: Bready, nice sweetness transitions into dry grassy hops.

Drinkability: Very good, seems like it could be a session beer.

Picked up a 4 pack. Nice looking can to this old Atari fan. This is a good quality drinkable pale ale. The hops seem more pilsner-like than citrusy, but that doesn't detract. Nice balance of sweetness and dryness. Good.

Serving type: can

05-06-2012 00:21:11 | More by Mdog

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pounder can into a shaped pint glass. The brew appears a hazed color of gold with more than 2 fingers of yellowish stained head that is composed of rather large bubbles. The cap recedes leaving some patches of lacing on the glass. A light swirl revives a finger back to the surface.

The aroma is hoppy with a scent of grass, mild stinky cheese and a touch of sulfur. The can advertises galaxy hops and this brew lacks a bit of that tropical punch that they are known for. In it's place are scents of herbal quality that edges towards vegetative. As it warms up, it picks up a bit of pulpy fruit edge about it that is enjoyable. Overall this is a clean smelling brew that is fitting for the style.

The taste is mildly rindy with a flavor of pulp, grass and a bit of herbs. The bitterness is mild and enjoyable but the hops are present with a decent flavoring that is mildly cheesy with a hint of sulfur towards the back. A very faint grainy quality is present imparting almost a hint of straw-like character.

This is a light bodied brew with a moderate amount of carbonation. It is crisp and easily approachable. A well rounded brew without much wow factory beyond the fact that it is easily drinkable. It boasts just enough hop flavoring to keep me interested throughout the duration. I could see myself firing back a few of these effortlessly in the summer. Not bad. Thanks Jason!

Serving type: can

05-02-2012 00:59:10 | More by stakem

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

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

Poured into a pint glass from a 16oz can.

Pours a nice hazy yellowish golden color with some slight copper hints. Orange hues on the edges. There is a nice pure white head that is dense and slightly chunky and recedes very slowly. Nice retention.

Delicious citrus aromas come through the nose very quickly and intensely. Fruity and tropical. VEry nice. Some slight grapefruit and some nice fruity notes. Definitely some passion fruit notes. Biscuity and tasty bready malt notes.

Flavor starts off with some nice citrus notes and fresh fruity notes. Herbal and grassy as well. Very refreshing with some nice dry bitterness. Notes of toasty earthy grain that is well mixed and plays well with the hops. Very delicious fruity and grassy hop profile. Dry finish with a nice bitter kick.

Pretty good APA. Very nice citrus notes with a good malt backbone. Solid brew.

Serving type: can

04-30-2012 22:37:04 | More by JoEBoBpr

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Uh oh! After an extended hiatus, The CANQuest (TM) has found new legs and is ready to roll!

From the CAN: "Hop Rocketed Pale Ale"; "Galaxy Hops"; "Push Start".

I have been "experimenting" with fruity alcopops of late for reasons unbeknown even to me (I hate when my brain starts keeping secrets), but one whiff of this fruity little gem and I knew I was back where I belong. The Crack & Glug was unremarkable and the pour produced just over a finger of fluffy, bone white head with good retention. Color was a hazy orangish-yellow, suggesting a) non-filtering (good) and b) CAN-[CAN]ditioning (better). The nose was tropical fruity and I cheated and looked at a descriptor for Galaxy hops which mentioned "passionfruit". I am not sure that I ever ate it or smelled it, so I feel partially unqualified to comment. It was definitely fruity on the nose, however, and in a natural, not chemically-added esters, way. It seemed to just open up like a flower on my tongue! I got an initial sweet fruitiness followed by a rush of grapefruit. Yow! I have a special place in my cooler for Hula In the Coola Day (01 Feb, annually) for something like this. I am planning a trip to the beach this summer with the stated intent of getting me and everyone around me krunked, This will help! Yo, I'm licking my lips like Pac-Man, you hear? Finish was a reminder of why I became a hophead in the first place. Fruity, partially dry with the citrus hops, yummy in my mouth and tummy. I am hereby giving notice - The CANQuest (TM) is back!

Serving type: can

04-26-2012 21:33:33 | More by woodychandler

Reaper16

Alabama

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz. can (with the best art ever)

Pours a light orange color. Nothing surprising or out of the norm here. Less than a finger of loose, white head. Minimal lacing.

Light crackery malts in this pale ale meet the acclaimed Galaxy hop. Well, it doesn't smell all that hoppy. It's just an APA, I know. You get trace amounts of lemon and grass and candied pineapple. Trace amounts. There's a sweet bready yeast note too. The hop aromas are nice, but they need to be stronger.

The taste does deliver on the faint promise of the nose, thankfully. It's lightly tropical -- again with the candied pineapple and the lemon. Not very bitter, so the average amount of malt flavor takes some stronger precedence. It tastes good. What keeps it from scoring a 4.0 for me is the yeast character. It's pretty strong and sweet and at this point Tallgrass risks their beers tasting samey. This yeast flavor is the same as in Tallgrass IPA and in Oasis. I could identify a Tallgrass beer in a blind tasting without difficulty, at this point.

Nice mouthfeel: it's lightly sweet and wet, with a soft carbonation tingle. Overall, this is a very solid APA. With a few tweaks it could enter into the conversation of some of the Midwest/Plains best APAs.

Serving type: can

04-26-2012 18:35:20 | More by Reaper16

emerge077

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A new beer from my old hometown, brewed with Galaxy hops no less... been wanting to try this ever since hearing about it.

Can is dated "12 207" on the bottom rim, a possible best by date?
Into a mug it pours a murky dark bronze gold, with a long lasting layer of foam that never breaks, and a permanently suspended haze of micro-sediment. There is lacing all around the sides of the glass, in abstract spanish moss patterns.

Softly floral and sweet aroma, sugar cookies and lemon shortbread.

Taste is also softly floral, earthy and herbal, with a light soft fruitiness. Seems a bit subdued in general, especially when considering Galaxy hops are in the mix. Body is light with a pleasant suppleness, some light grassy hop bitterness in the aftertaste.

Overall easy drinking, easily sessionable. Will have to seek out a fresher sample to compare, as it seems to be lacking the distinctive tropical/citrus notes of Galaxy hops, but is still solid and well put together.

Serving type: can

04-23-2012 23:57:46 | More by emerge077

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks again to cpolking for sending this beer. Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is floral, some malts as well. Taste is a good hop/malt balance, a light citrus flavor, easy drinking. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall is a quality beer.

Serving type: can

04-22-2012 17:26:00 | More by tone77

wagenvolks

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Many thanks to fo1ksguitar for the extra! 16oz can into a Michelob pilsener glass--awesome retro design. I feel like I should be back in an '80s arcade with a pocketful of quarters...

A massive white head billows from the can as I pour, and it barely budges in the first five minutes. Sticky lacing, too. The body beneath is a hazy straw-golden color with several trails of carbonation. The aroma is juicy and full of tropical fruit--been meaning to brew a beer with Galaxy hops for a while now, and 8-bit has further convinced me. Pineapple, papaya, citrus, mango. Malts still poke through to add a hint of caramel and lightly toasted cereal grains.

Good flavor for a pale ale-starts out with a slight sweetness from the malt but quickly gives way to a fleshy fruit note from the hops and a lingering, but not overpowering, grassy/piny bitter finish. Very drinkable and the body is near-perfection. Crisp, well-carbonated, juicy, medium-thin body. Everything I want in a Pale Ale. Overall, a very well made beer from Tallgrass. Easy drinking on a warm Austin spring afternoon.

Serving type: can

04-21-2012 00:09:37 | More by wagenvolks

jjanega08

Minnesota

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

Big 12 215 on the bottom of the can. No other freshness dating info.

A= Pours a pretty hazy light orange sort of golden orange color with a big sexy just off white head. The lacing and retention is up to par.

S= Big floral hops. All I can think about is flowers and a touch of citrus. The malt character is present only in a sweet way that helps tone the floral hops down.

T= The flavor matches the nose nearly perfectly in that it is nice and floral with a touch of citrus. Almost a bitter orange peel flavor with tons of flowers. A nice malt character that helps hold it all together.

M= Nice and bright with a lingering bitterness.

O= This is a solid Pale Ale and with big flavor. Works very nicely for the ABV and will be a go to during the summer for me with how easy it is to drink. Really good melding of flavors and a great look at galaxy hops. The can art isn't bad either.

Serving type: can

04-16-2012 23:33:20 | More by jjanega08

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to cvm3 for snagging this for me! As a child of the 80's growing up with Nintendo and ect, you can't help but dig that retro gaming can!

Pours a dark sunny orange color, slightly hazy and opaque, with an off-white cream colored finger of head. The aroma was a bit earthy with the hops, floral, but with a pretty noticeable biscuity malt profile. The taste was zesty, floral hops, with a very tiny lemon zest note and a much less malty backing than the aroma. Lightly crisp, clean, lighter bodied, with a clean refreshing finish. Drinkability is great; a very sessionable ale.

This thing isn't pushing the envelope in any respects, but the Galaxy hops definitely make this a somewhat unique pale in my mind. It's tasty, smells good and it's very drinkable, making this a fantastic summer beer.

Serving type: can

04-14-2012 19:03:28 | More by EgadBananas

dbossman

Nebraska

3.78/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Hazy pineapple-yellow with a huge, billowing head that holds its form fairly well; lacing is good

S: Tropical fruits especially pineapple, orange, and passion fruit; some bready malt undertones but there sure is a lot of fruity, fruity hop goodness here; some slightly burnt grains on backend

T: Not as hop forward as indicated by aromas; quite balanced actually; some tropical fruits but also lots of bready, toasty malts--some of which seem slightly burnt

F: Medium body and sticky and oily with a fair enough of residue left in mouth

O: Another nice beer from Tallgrass; I can never get enough hoppy canned beers--so thanks Tallgrass

Serving type: can

04-12-2012 21:06:03 | More by dbossman

Steasy66

Minnesota

2.85/5  rDev -25%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

16oz can into Duvel tulip.

A- Golden flax with lacy two finger head, hazier than expected, but for some reason looks really appealing.
S- Weak aroma of dank hops, really have to swirl it to get much aroma.
T- A bit of light malt, some weak citrus and dank hops, overall pretty underwhelming.
M- A bit thicker than expected given the ABV and overall lack of flavor, crisp carbonation.
O- Pretty unimpressive pale ale, the flavor and aroma just arn't there. Would not buy again.

Serving type: can

04-11-2012 06:07:31 | More by Steasy66

morimech

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy pale golden color with two plus fingers of head that had excellant retention before settling to a thick cap. Heavy lacing is left down the glass during consumption.

Aroma of grainy, musty malt and grassy, tropical fruit hops. Galaxy hops definately add some uniqueness to the aroma.

I have to admit that I enjoyed the malt bill in this pale ale more than the Galaxy hops. Dry and lightly toasted grain. The hops are grassy and slightly herbal. Do not know what the big deal is with this hop variety. Bitterness is moderate to high for an APA.

Substantial body for a beer with this ABV. Nice carbonation and texture.

An enjoyable and slightly unique pale ale. Definately worth a try and I certainly will buy it occasionally.

Serving type: can

04-09-2012 22:29:04 | More by morimech

mdcrouser

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straw-like yellow, with just a bit of opaqueness. Soapy white head leaves behind heavy lace.

Fresh citrussy hops with some other fruitiness. Really nice on the nose.

Highly bitter to begin, but supportive of the available citrus. Somewhat spicy then to close. Sits bitter but subdued afterwards.

Sharply carbonated on the tongue, but otherwise pretty good.

There's a strong possibility this is the best beer yet from Tallgrass. Really enjoyable.

Serving type: can

04-08-2012 02:46:15 | More by mdcrouser

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.45/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass. A good finger and half of tight head. Clear, golden colored ale.

It smells a little like honey and musty hay. Not super appealing.

The flavor starts slow and then builds up. Balanced bitter and malt at first, then the hops take over with a dull bitter taste at the end.

Soft texture, low carbonation and medium body.

It's a tasty treat.

Serving type: can

04-08-2012 01:02:05 | More by Fatehunter