Tallgrass Blueberry Jam

Tallgrass Blueberry Jam. Blueberry Berliner Weisse. German-style tart wheat ale brewed with blueberry. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewery, Manhattan, Kansas. 4.3% Alc. by Vol.

Clear, golden/amber hue, smallish ivory head.

In the nose: tart, sweet, wheat, blueberry-ish.

In the mouth: More of the same: crisp, tart, fruity, delightful. Light bodied, easy drinking, smooth but slightly sour. Very nice. Go for it, if it's your, ahem, jam.

After a successful solo tour, we decided to put a band together with our Jam series. Jam out with this refreshingly tart, German-style wheat ale brewed with blueberries. 

Tallgrass One-Eyed Jacques Belgo-style Stout

Tallgrass One-Eyed Jacques Belgo-style Stout. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas. World Class Beers of the Great Midwest. Belgian-style stout. Explorer Series. 9.0% all. by vol.

Dark brown with ruby highlight, cocoa-tinged head, lace-leaving.

In the nose: cola and cream. Earthy, nutty, mostly malty. Sweet. Nice. Mmmm.

In the mouth: Whoa. Tasty. Big and malty, full-flavored, full-bodied, rich and delicious. Nice balance. Bitter hops and sweet malt in a delicate tango. And it's creamy and yummy, and I like it, gol' durn it. I like it lots. More chocolate comes into the flavor, more sweetness, while still being balanced and lush.
This has just the right amount of cocoa and malt, and just that special Belgian malt sweetness to push it over the edge. So tasty. New favorite. Yum.

Tallgrass Flyin' Hawaiian Pineapple Double IPA

Tallgrass Flyin' Hawaiian Double IPA. Explorer Series. 8.4% ABV. Fresh Beer=Best Refrigerated. Double India Pale Ale brewed with Pineapple. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas.

Clear, bright golden color, sizable ivory head, sitting still, leaving lace.

Vibrant, intensely hoppy nose, brimming with pine and pineapple. Prickly and tropical. Pretty nice.

Int the mouth: hoppy, zesty, fresh, and bursting with pineapple. Smooth stuff, medium bodied, low bitterness. Tasty and hoppy, with a a moderately bitter finish.

I like this beer. I wonder if the Tallgrass website will fill us in with any gobbledygook? They do. Here it is: The Flyin’ Hawaiian is brewed with Columbus, Mandarina Bavaria, Pacific Gem and Falconer’s Flight hops, creating a tasty interplay between earthy and pine notes with citrus, dark berries and tropical fruit. A burst of fresh pineapple post-fermentation enhances the hops with an extra layer of tropical flavors, while the simple malt bill allows the hops to shine.
Style: Double IPA Brewed with Pineapple
Hops: Columbus, Mandarina Bavaria, Pacific Gem, Falconers Flight
Malts: 2Row Pale, Carapils, C20
Adjuncts: Pineapple Purée
ABV: 8.4%
IBU: 78

Tallgrass Explorer Series Sweet Tooth

Tallgrass Sweet Tooth, Salted Caramel Belgian-style dark ale brewed with salt and brown sugar. 9.2% alc. by vol. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas.

Clear, reddish hued, slim white head.

Aroma: there's the caramel malt, and there's the Belgian Special B, that sweet stuff, with the Belgian twist. Nice.

In the mouth: More big sweetness hits the lips. Not getting the salt, yet....oh, wait, sure, there it is. Very much in the vein of a dubbel, not as full and rich as a Belgian version, though. This is okay. It's alright. It drinks down real good, and the booziness please me, but it lacks a certain finesse, a little grace, shall we say. It's alright, it ain't bad, but....eh....

Tallgrass Half Pipe Tart Pale Ale

Tallgrass Half Pipe Tart Pale Ale. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas. All. 5% by vol.  I'm going to assume this is a kettle sour. Let's open it up and taste.

Appearance: hazy, golden hue, slim white head.

Aroma: Tart and fruity at the start, whiffs of stone fruit and tropical, dominated by citric. Lemon and grapefruit galore.

Taste: greets the palate with sweet, then tart, and altogether fruity and refreshing. Light-bodied, with lingering tart finish. Easy drinker, good summer sour.

Hey, there's gobbledygook on the can! "Our first sour beer is inspired by the rad individuals who get air and grind--on rails and curbs--in alleys and 'burbs. The world is your playground." Okay, cool, tells me very little about the beer, but whatevs, dudes.  (You can click the link above for a little more info.)

Tallgrass Big Ricc Russian Imperial Stout with Coffee + Chocolate

Tallgrass Explorer Series Big Ricc Russian Imperial Stout with Coffee + Chocolate. Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas. 10.5% ABV.

Solid blackness, brownish had that disappears quickly.

Aroma is rich dark malt, chocolate flavors, molasses, a little anise, some spice.

In the mouth: bigger, richer, thicker, fuller, tastier. An intensive expression of rich malt flavors. Big time chocolate, increasing coffee, big time bitterness, just counter-acts the sweet. Great balance in this one, without sacrificing the bigness. Big all over. Biggity big, big, big. And super rich. Big and Rich and Not a County Duo.
Richness and Bigness that borders on thickness. No, it's there, it's sloppy damned good, in a big, thick, rich way. I wonder how strong it is....10.5%. Okay. that's Big.

Yum. Now that's an Imperial Stout. Yum. Oh, I said that? Well, it deserves repeating: Yum.

I don't know who this Big Ricc guy is, though, but his Russian Imperial Stout with Coffee + Chocolate is pretty damned tasty. (Wait. I get it now. Russian Imperial Coffee Chocolate= RICC. I am so slow sometimes.)

Tallgrass Bourbon Barrel-aged Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweet Brewed with Cinnamon

Tallgrass Bourbon barrel-aged Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat Brewed with cinnamon. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas. 5% ABV.

Dark , clouded, brown coloring, slim and soon-gone head.

Aroma starts with cinnamon, then hits with the bourbon. Sweet. Vanilla. Dark and deep, rich with molasses and maple syrup, cocoa and coffee. Cinnamon stands on top.

Taste: dark malt washes over the palate first. Rich with cocoa and cinnamon, with vanilla coming in quick. Sweet and full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel. Mighty tasty. The cinnamon and vanilla keep good time, stepping out for a bit to let bourbon take the spotlight for a second or two. Nice stuff. Good beer, and I can drink it. 

Tallgrass Explorer Series The Grizz Imperial India Pale Ale

Tall grass The Grizz Imperial IPA. Alc. 9.5% by Volume.

Clear, bright golden, with a slim white head. 

Aroma: pungent, piney, resinous. Vibrant citric hop notes. Not bad, not bad. 

In the mouth: bold and brash. Fierce. Big impression on the palate. Impressive bitterness. Alcohol rising. Getting boozier and boozier. Maybe too boozy?

Medium-bodied. Long lasting bitterness, nearly harsh. Something short of elegant. I drank it down, and dug it, but it's for from a favorite. 

Tallgrass Top Rope IPA

Tallgrass Top Rope India Pale Ale, brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas. 16 ounce can. 6.0% ABV.

Clear, bright gold/orange hue, lush white head.

Fresh floral nose. Citrus and pine have their place in the bouquet, too, and it's a beautifully bitter blend.

In the mouth, it's as pithy and piney as you want. Lean bodied, light mouthfeel, and long lasting hop bitterness. Citrus-y and tropical fruit notes also abound in the flavor, with lingering hop buzz playing on the palate. Expertly drinkable and refreshing.

I like this IPA. You should go drink one.

Tallgrass Songbird Saison

A visit from the Sample Man again, and I'm glad that he lets me take these home. If I drank them at work, they wouldn't appear here and I couldn't tell you about them. The world would be a sadder place.
Truthfully, I'm a bit ashamed that I haven't had the last one he brought, it sits in the fridge begging to be consumed and reviewed, and I keep telling it "no, not tonight, later for you." And time drags on. The Sample Men, and Women, they appreciate that I'm going to drink these beers and give them some thought. Pressure. It's big, man. I feel like a hypocrite, in a way. Have to drink some beers to maintain my integrity.
So, there are now 5, no 4 after this, Tallgrass beers in the fridge. I'll take down at least a few of them tonight.

Tallgrass Songbird Saison. Alc. 4.8% by Vol.

Clear, pure gold coloring, bright ivory head, slim, but staying.

Gorgeous nose. Spicy (peppers, coriander), citric, perfectly in the Belgian saison tradition.

Tasting it: Light on the palate, easy on the tongue, soft and supple, crisp and easy-drinking. Waves of fruit crashes over the tongue, stone fruit like apricot, with traces of lemon and lime, Belgian yeast, the hints of bubblegum, cracked pepper. A delicate, delicious dance. Refreshing and delicious. Spicy, fruity, and dry all at once.

What's the can say? "A refreshingly tart ale with citrus notes and a light, dry finish." That's all you need to say.

Tallgrass Bourbon Barrel Buffalo Sweat

Tall grass Bourbon Barrel Buffalo Sweat. Explorer Series Bourbon Barrel-aged Oatmeal Milk Stout. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brwery, Manhattan, Kansas.

Nearly solid blackness, with slivers of crimson highlights peeking through. Smallish, then gone head.

Vanilla in the nose, followed by cocoa. Light roast. Big smooth. Velvety, chocolatey goodness.

In the mouth, it’s much more deliciousness. Here’s where the bourbon barrel delivers it’s goods. Whiskey does it’s stuff, with vanilla back on the scene, and a cream, oatmeal mouthfeel that can’t be beat. Full body, long, malty, bourbon-y finish.

This is a good one. Go drink it.

Tallgrass Ginger Peach Saison

Tallgrass Ginger Peach Saison, Ale with Ginger & Peaches. "The opening riff in our saison medley." Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing, Manhattan, Kansas.

Appearance: fizzy, hazy, lush white head, lace-leaving.

Aroma: Big spice, plenty of the advertised ginger, with the fruit component rushing to catch up. Big ginger in this one. Fair warning.

Taste: Bright, bold, fiercely carbonated. Giant ginger flavoring, with peach not shy, neither. Any trace of "saison" is fully hidden. Spice character is nearly hot in it's intensity. Medium-bodied, clean and refreshing, but…not for me. I usually like what Tallgrass makes, but this is too much of some, but not enough of the other. File this one under "not again, thanks."

Tallgrass Area 51 Russian Imperial Stout

Note to all: after writing the notes below, I found something fitting it's exact descriptions on Untappd going by the name given above. So that's what I'll call it, I guess. Here, come, the notes....


Tallgrass Russian Imperial Stout (sample can)

Hear, hear for friends in beer! If you read my report back in June about my visit to 11 of Minneapolis' breweries by bike in the course of a day, you may recall that I met Tallgrass rep Tim Olson on one of those stops. He was with another Tallgrass salesman, and talked up this new beer that I am about to try. I was not at the time a beer buyer, like I was at the Blue Nile, and even if I were doing such at the job I then held (I'm almost letting the cat out of the bag…just as well), I wouldn't have been buying any kegs or cans from Kansas.

And, yet…one day, I went to work at Northbound and there in the cooler was this can, labeled for me. Thanks, Tim! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! I hope that someday soon I will return to the business of giving you some business. Someday, soon…

Let's drink it, already…

On the makeshift label it reads: "Tallgrass Big RICC"…no clue what that means. Russian Imperial Chocolate Coffee? 10.5% ABV. 60 IBU.

Solid blackness, with a slim, soon-gone dark brown head.

Aroma: deep, rich and chocolatey. Dense as fudge. Espresso notes right behind. Vast in flavor and expression.

Taste: bittersweet notes hit first, the coffee next, and then the cocoa. Full-bodied, starting fierce and cooling down. Big and bountiful, not thick and sludgy as some. Just a little bit hot and spicy, flavors of dark rum and molasses coming through.
I like this. It hits the spot.

Tallgrass Zombie Monkey Robust Porter

Tallgrass Zombie Monkey Robust Porter, or as it's also called, Post-Apocalyptic Porter. 6.2% aBV. 35 IBU. Notes: "A relentlessly tasty beer inspired by approximately true events." (?) Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas. Est. 2007.

This is the debut of the Tactical Grip Can, to prevent slippage while fleeing. So, that while we run from zombie monkeys, we're not dropping our cans o' beer. Sigh…(Is that really a problem, dropping beer cans? Even outside of the zombie apocalypse?)

Maybe I've already mentioned how bored I am by the ubiquitous zombie thing. Perhaps I am the only one? …sigh….
Also note that the name "zombie monkey" puts this very close to filling out the pantheon of internet meme characters. Next up: Robot Ninja.

Solid blackness, roasty brown head atop. Looks nice.

Aroma: chocolate, coffee, and caramel, richly roasted. Butterscotch. Dark fruits, plum, fig. Just enough sweet, just enough roast. Nice.

Taste: Deep, rich, and delicious. Full-boded, and surprisingly smooth. All the flavors from the nose return in the mouth. This one has it all, and it all adds up to yum. Quite nice. Solid stuff. All kinds of tasty.

More like this, please, Tallgrass!

Tallgrass Wild Plum Farmhouse Ale

Tallgrass Wild Plum Farmhouse Ale, brewed and bottled by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas, established 2007.
Ale brewed with plums. Alcohol 5.6% by vol. 1.047 O.G. 20 IBU.

Hazy, golden appearance, voluminous snow-white, lace-leaving head of foam.

Aroma: soft, slightly spicy, and citrus-y. Unique Belgian yeast aromatics come on the scene and you know you've got a saison, friend. Glimmers of stone fruit in the background. Delightful.

Taste: Sweetness at first, swiftly followed by light spices, with fruit rushing in afterward. Medium bodied, with a mild hop bite, and a flush of Belgian yeast character. The wild plum flavoring is not prominent in the slightest, and it mingles with the citrus and stone fruit flavors already evident in any upright farmhouse ale of good standing. I'm gonna pull out the d-word on this one: damn, it's delicious.

Excellent drinking, outstanding refreshment, fantastic flavor. Damn, this is satisfying. This is the 4th can from my 4-pack, which cost a mere $6. Well worth it.

Tallgrass Ethos IPA

Tallgrass Ethos IPA, Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas. 110 IBU, 6.8% ABV.

Highly hazed and unfiltered, a glorious bright golden hue, with a heavily dotted, creamy, off-white head. Looks great. Leaves lace.

Aroma: Bittersweet blast in the nose, loaded with citric notes, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, some mango and pineapple, too. Beautiful balance of sweet and bitter continuing to tango in the aroma.

Taste: At the start, smooth and creamy, goes down the throat exceptionally effortlessly. Not long after, the bitter, aspirin-like attack occurs on the palate, and it hits right at the back, makes itself at home, and rises in power and flavor. Feels bigger and plumper in the mouth as time goes on, expands and fills the senses. This is an utterly unfettered, untamed IPA, pulling no punches. Here's one I can drink and drink and drink. Not shy in the least, an amazing ale. Plenty, plenty of hopping makes me plenty, plenty happy.

I have a feeling through their imagery and marketing that this was originally intended to be called Mythos (which is taken), or something similar, because "Ethos" doesn't quite fit with this "legendary", "mythical" story they seem to be telling. A video tells a tale of a race of creatures called the Ethos. Okay, whatever.

Tallgrass Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat

Tallgrass Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat, Buffalo Sweat Stout brewed with vanilla beans, Brewed and Canned by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas. 1.057 OG, 20 IBU, Alc. 5.0% by Vol.

Dark brown, nearly black, with intense carbonation, under a light tan head, slowly reduced to a tight ring.

Aroma is sweet vanilla, met quickly with cocoa and cream. That's about it, but that's all you need. Beautiful blend.

Tasting it: smooth and creamy. Buffalo Sweat is a milk oatmeal stout to begin with, with plenty of chocolate malt flavor inherent. Add the vanilla, and it's just another tasty treat, soft, and supple and utterly easy to drink. Medium-bodied, mellow mouthfeel. Little bitterness, moderate sweetness. Lays down nice and easy on the palate. Delicious.

Tallgrass Pub Ale

Tallgrass Original 2007 Recipe Pub Ale, 1.046 Original Gravity, 12 IBU, Alc. 4.4% by Vol., Contains 1 pint. Brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas, Established 2007.

Clear, copper/bronze coloring, beautiful, fresh off-white head, long-lasting, lace-leaving.

Aroma: clean, crisp malt, a little earthy, a little grainy.

taste: More clean and more crisp. Light bodied, soft, and easy-drinking. It's all about balance and malty smoothness. Tidy hop profile, matches and tempers the star of the show, the malts. Just right for a pub ale. Tasty stuff, downable, with no threat to one's attention. The very mark of a session ale. 

I always catch myself when reviewing beers like this. I extol their virtues, and try my best to avoid speaking about why I am not interested in drinking them. This is what I am doing now. It's excellent for what it is, but I won't be buying it. Yup, I need a bit more …I was going to stop, and I will.

Tallgrass 8-bit Pale Ale

Tallgrass 8-Bit, Hop Rocketed, Galaxy Hops, 5.2% ABV, brewed and canned by Tallgrass Brewing Company, Manhattan, Kansas.

Lightly clouded, golden hued, nice 1/4" of snowy white foam on top.

Bright, lively citric aromatics. Lemon and orange, with a hint of pineapple. Banana? A bit. (No pun intended.)Very nice.

Taste: smooth, clean, drinking like a dream. Some extra creamy character in there, too. Is this unfiltered? Am I tasting the yeast? Something tells me I am. Oh, yeah, that's some suspended yeast in there, now that I pour the rest of the can into the glass.
Nicely hopped, and soft on the palate. Sometimes you want that in a pale ale. This is one of those times. Hoppiness continues, dropping off mildly on the tongue. Fresh, lightly bitter, and refreshing.
I like it.
So, who's got another quarter?

Tallgrass Velvet Rooster Tripel

I blame this beer for making my face bald.
 I stepped into the Nomad World Pub last Tuesday night to meet up with Rob Shellman, Minnesota's rep for Tallgrass, who was so kind as to drop off the samples of the first Tallgrass beers I reviewed, to taste some of this stuff, in anticipation of today's tapping. He's been keen on having us do the premier tapping of this beer (in Minneapolis), and who am I to refuse such an offer? Rob was there because he and the brewery are sponsoring the Movember movement for men's health issues, and the night's event was a free shaving for anyone who wanted to start fresh, and grow a mustache from scratch.
 I hosted an end of Movember party last December at the Nile, and was urged to participate then, but demurred, for I really liked my facial fuzz. Still do. Rob declined this time, too, for his takes him too long to grow. My facial follicles have been embedded on lip and chin for so long, over 5 years, that I'd forgotten what I looked like underneath. After enough sampling of the Rooster (and other beers) I decided to take the plunge and go under the razor. A week later, and it's finally coming in through the stubble.
The next day, Rob brought me a full can so I could do my review of it. I finally got around to sitting down and taking some notes last night. And now I'm about to get out of this coffee shop and go to work so I can make this party happen. Here come the notes, with a picture of the beer I drank (as always), as well as the sweet ass tap handle I'm about to attach to our tap tower.

Tallgrass Velvet Rooster, Belgian-style Tripel Ale. Festooned with colorful, artsy chicken, and no obnoxious gobbledygook. A full 16-ounce can filled with abbey-style triple. First of it's kind. Next up: the first canned dubbel, quadruple, Flanders Red, etcetera. Why, because. That's why. 

Bright golden hue, blooming dotted white head, starts big, drifts down to a tight white ring. 

Aromatics: pepper spice and lemon zest. Yeasty character comes through next, Neat, tidy array of hop bitterness hits, and then it's all malt, all the time. A little husky cereal graininess for a time, but mostly citrus and spice.

Taste: Clean, supple, and smooth on the palate and down the throat. Fine and fruity, with light spice, tickly and prickly. Some soft-shoe on the tongue, a little buck and wing, and it's all deliciousness down the hatch after that. Creamy, and smooth, and, as we so often say, dangerously drinkable. Proceed with caution. Too tasty to stop at one, too fierce to go beyond two.