Velvet Rooster, Tallgrass Brewing Company

This is a Belgian-Style Tripel from Tallgrass Brewing Compay (Manhattan, KS).

Intriguing. Apparently the first Tripel ever to be canned. As part of the "can craze"" (everyone seems to be doing it) this stands apart in terms of colourfulness and artwork. Spectacularly appealing, I don't think the photo does it justice. A+ for visual attraction.

Let's check it out. 16oz can poured into a New Glarus tulip.

Pours a hazy yellow. First impression was this looks a lot like a hefeweizen, with a nice, fluffy white head. Smell is a little musty, lemony?

Taste? Bready, fairly thick mouthfeel. A little citrus, a little tartness and a sweet finish, a bit of a bite noticeable from the 8.5% ABV. Nice lacing clinging to the glass. Not as "clean" or sharp tasting as some of my favourite Tripels but overall I thought this was an admirable effort. Solid enough - I'd buy again.

Rating:
B
Easily the best offering from Tallgrass that this author has ever tasted.

More about the brewery:

Founded in 2007 by Jeff Gill and his wife Patricia. Hats off to them for following the dream - abandoning their jobs to pursue something they love. I wish them much success!

Tallgrass Brewing Company
8845 Quail Lane
Manhattan, KS 66502
'PH: (785) 537-1131
Website : http://www.tallgrassbeer.com/

More about the beer (from the brewery) :

Velvet Rooster
Belgian-Style Tripel
(ABV 8.5%)
This beer is a Belgian Tripel that lives up to its name. Smooth and carefully crafted like a fine velvet painting, but with an 8.5% ABV this bird has some spurs! The beer pours a golden straw color with brilliant clarity. Topped with a lofty pure white head the beer has a wonderful floral nose, with subtle fruit notes.
The taste is clean and crisp, with subtle fruit notes and a touch of candy like sweetness. The beer has a Champagne-like effervescent that provides a crisp offset to its sweet finish.  While a pint glass is always nice, Velvet Rooster would also be at home in a tulip glass or Champagne flute.

What's in the name?




The inspiration for the name Velvet Rooster.
This original work in acrylic and velvet is on display at Auntie Mae's Parlor, Manhattan, KS

"Autie Mae's" was apparently a legendary speakeasy that operated in the basement of a former plumbing building in 1930. For more reading go to :
http://www.auntiemaes.com/

Beer Education.
What is a "Tripel"?*

Description:
The name "Tripel" actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Trappist "Simple." Traditionally, Tripels are bright yellow to gold in color, which is a shade or two darker than the average Pilsener. Head should be big, dense and creamy. Aroma and flavor runs along complex, spicy phenolic, powdery yeast, fruity/estery with a sweet finish. Sweetness comes from both the pale malts and the higher alcohol. Bitterness is up there for a beer with such a light body for its strength, but at times is barely perceived amongst the even balance of malts and hops. The lighter body comes from the use of Belgian candy sugar (up to 25% sucrose), which not only lightens the body, but also adds complex alcoholic aromas and flavors. Small amounts of spices are sometimes added as well.

Tripels are actually notoriously alcoholic, yet the best crafted ones hide this character quite evil-like and deceivingly, making them sipping beers.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 8.0-12.0%  

* From http://www.beeradvocate.com/