New Kid In Town - Tallgrass Brewing Company

Part of my duty as a beer columnist is finding out and trying new beers as they move into Springfield.  I can assure you that, while I use the word “duty” here, you should understand that I am happy to jump on this hand grenade for you. 

That is why I was eager to write a column about Tallgrass Brewing Company, which just arrived in Springfield from Manhattan, Kansas.  The origins of this brewery are near and dear to my heart.  The story provided on their website tells a tale of Jeff Gill, a 6-year home brewing veteran, whose wife, Tricia, turned to him one day and asked what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.  Having considered carefully, he replied “I want to start a microbrewery!”

Having been an avid home brewer for over six years myself, I can definitely relate to Jeff’s passionate wish.  While home brewers love beer and love the process of making it, what really makes us happy is making beer that others can enjoy.

Out of Jeff’s wish, the Tallgrass brewing company was born in 2007, and they have been quietly brewing up a storm in their copper kettles ever since, and you can now try their wares by visiting your local fine beer-selling establishment.  (I have found their wares at the Brown Derby Wine Center, but I imagine they can be found in a few other places if you look hard enough.)

Oh, one more thing: you can take these beers on your float trip, because—like many other great craft beers now—these fine ales and lagers are sold in cans. 

Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat Stout – Tallgrass Brewing Company – Sweet Stout – 5% ABV – Although the name sounds disgusting, this beer may surprise you.  It’s another gateway beer for folks who don’t typically drink a stout.  It pours nearly opaque brown with a light tan head.  The aroma is full of roasted things – chocolate, coffee, and dark bread.  The flavor might remind you a bit of brownies, as the sweetness of the cream sugar and malt combines with the roasted chocolate and coffee to create something new.  May not be one for a hot day on the river, but you might plow through a few that night by the fire. 3.5 out of 5 pints

Tallgrass IPA – Tallgrass Brewing Company – IPA – 6.3% ABV – Alright, so sometimes a bit of a hop-head, but hops can add a lot of things to beer, including bitterness, flavor, aroma, and freshness.  In the case of Tallgrass IPA, the brewer employs them all satisfactorily.  Some IPA’s are overpowered by their hops, but Tallgrass is fairly well balanced.  The fresh hop aroma in this bright orange ale is piney and citrusy, but still allows some of the caramel and bread notes to come through.  This translates well to the flavor which starts with sweet citrus but is followed closely by a slight lemony tartness and bitterness.  The beer finishes with a little bit of peppery hops.  Overall, it’s pretty easy to drink, and is an easy IPA.  3.5 out of 5 pints

Tallgrass Köld Lager – Tallgrass Brewing Company – Kölsch – 5% ABV – If there is a favorite craft beer style that is always easy to drink, it’s Kölsch.  This style is a light lager that has been produced by great German brewers in Köln, Germany for centuries, although the name “Kölsch” was not used commercially until 1913.  The glasses this beer is traditionally served in?  Stange glasses (pronounced Stahng-uh, which means a pole, like a curtain rod).  Yup.  It’s also my last name, though my name is pronounced more like Stayng.  Anyway, this beer is a crystal clear straw-color with white head.  The arome is like hay and bread.  The flavor is light, like the style demands, but it’s very refreshing.  The idea behind a good Kölsch is to be light and easy-to-drink, and this one does that almost too well.  3 out of 5 pints

Tallgrass Oasis ESB – Tallgrass Brewing Company – Premium Bitter/ESB – 7.2% ABV – The strongest ale of this group, Oasis ESB is actually described by the brewery as being a “Double ESB/IPAish beer.”  I didn’t know for sure what they meant until I tasted it.  I’ll say it packs a bit of a punch compared to the others.  It’s a bit hazy on the pour, but has a reddish-amber color with an off-white head.  The aroma has a lot going on, including some sweet molasses, pine, citrus, and bread. The flavor is a bowling ball of hops.  It’s bitter and floral with a very slight sweetness.  You may also detect a little bit of tea-like tannins in the background.  If there is a beer on this list which puts Tallgrass in with the big boys of craft brewing, this beer is it.  Phenomenal job.  4.5 out of 5 pints.