8-Bit Pale Ale is the latest release from Tallgrass Brewing Company and the brewery’s first infused offering. 8-Bit is a traditional American Pale Ale that is “hop-rocketed” using Australian Galaxy Hops at the end of the brewing cycle, giving the beer a massive dose of hops flavor.
While Tallgrass was putting the finishing touches on Velvet Rooster, the world’s first Belgian-style Tripel in a can, they sent out a survey to ask their fans what kind of beer they should brew next. 500 fans responded and the overwhelming request: a super-hoppy pale ale. 8-Bit Pale Ale is the answer to that plea.
“We wanted to do something really hoppy, but do it the Tallgrass Way,” said Tallgrass Founder Jeff Gill. “We wanted to make sure it was a well-balanced beer and not just about the hops. It had to be tasty too.”
Tallgrass balances 8-Bit’s large dose of hops flavor by brewing the beer with a strong malt backbone, which helps balance the hops’ edge without hiding it.
8-Bit’s name and can design were inspired by the classic video games of the early 90’s, when gray game cartridges ruled the world and the 8-bit graphics of these early systems left much to the gamer’s imagination.
“Today’s craft beer drinkers grew up playing these games and still play them today,” Gill says. “I hope 8-Bit will become the official beer of retro-gamers everywhere.”
Tallgrass plans to release a puppet-based commercial to promote the new brand, retapping the creative talents from their popular Velvet Rooster video. The final commercial is still in production, but a teaser-trailer is now available on their website.