Top-shelf and spritely-tropic bits:
Tallgrass Brewing Co.'s famous guzzler has been buddying up with my vodka sauce and Hellmann's for a couple weeks now, and I'm starting to get sick of its poorly-drawn font and mistargeted packaging. I'm trying to disregard it, but the Microsoft Paint decor and the brand's spokesperson, Pac-Man, might singlehandedly be the most aggravating Flappy Bird predecessor I can think of (age reference: I was born the same year Val Kilmer made his last big hit). This past weekend, I pocketed a few of these Gen-Xers in my denim jacket for a Mild, Mild Midwest house party and, ultimately, felt like the '80s-loving, hipster-dad no one really begged for. It may not be the stale cowboy staple, but its tangy and fruitful tone topped off with a lick of pine makes it more of the settle-down type. You can catch me sipping on this hop-rocket with microwave pasta before my 3 p.m. or with my evening Hot Cheeto therapy sessions; only because it seamlessly weaves into the self-care.
Faults: It’s made in Kansas. And yes, it's homage to a simple and recycled pop-culture icon made me second guess their celebrity endorsement. But: it's bubbly tropic scent and bright saturation comes out really well when paired with a sluggish mid-afternoon or a salty Ritz crackers and port wine cheese sandwich. This one goes out to all the Nintendo uncles trying to revive their Super Mario and Thundercat days 🍻.
#SipWithPride
Buzz mood: ☺️
Flavors: 🍍🌲🕹
Pairs with: 🧀🍝
🌽 Manhattan, KS brewed
🍺 Hop-Rocketed American Pale Ale
🐇Hops: Columbus, Cascade, Centennial, Mosaic
🌰Malts: 2Row Pale, C20, Carapils