REVIEW: 8-Bit Pale Ale

Photo by J.T. Wampler

This week’s beer: 8-Bit Pale Ale from Tallgrass Brewing Co. in Manhattan, Kan.


This ale comes in a 16-oz. can that features graphics in the style of a 1980’s video game.

It pours a hazy, light orange with a fluffy, white head. The aroma is of citrus, biscuit and tropical fruit.

The taste is bold and hoppy with a nice malt punch to back it up. A faint flavor of honey and bready malt rounds out the finish and makes for a nicely balanced drink.

Tallgrass Brewing makes several good beers and this is one of their best. It’s light on the tongue with great flavor and a crisp finish with just the right amount of bite to be super refreshing and keep you coming back for more. With canoe season in full swing, this would be a great beer to pick up on your way to the river.

The can says “Hop Rocketed Pale Ale” and they mean it. It has a mix of Magnum, Centennial, Cascade and Galaxy hops which should satisfy any hop-head, but it’s balanced enough to appeal to fans of classic pale ales.

Tallgrass hit a home run with this ale. Check out their website for information on other beers from the brewery as well as their canifesto on why they don’t use bottles.

This beer is available in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Pair with hot wings or spicy Mexican food.

Rating 4.5

J.T Wampler
J.T. is a contributor for the Fayetteville Flyer. He is also the owner and brewer at the Tanglewood Branch Beer Co., located at 1431 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville.
For more beer reviews from J.T., see his author page.