8-Bit Pale Ale - "The Official Beer of Retro Gamers"

I think the best place to start - and one of the most interesting mixtures of both of my main hobbies - is with this surprisingly tasty 8-Bit Pale Ale from Tallgrass Brewing Company, based in Manhattan, Kansas.

This pale ale is relatively easy to drink (good for marathon game sessions) and has a rather floral, citrus aroma and general flavor profile. Don't let that description fool you, though. While not as bitter as some pale ales and, of course, IPAs, this one has a nice hoppiness that hits you up front but doesn't linger (I like that).

I remember seeing this beer on the shelf at one of the local liquor stores. I passed it time and time again, considering the purchase but constantly unsure of the need to buy a whole pack (these are sold in a pack of four). Eventually, I broke down and bought a pack of them and was really glad I did.

That very day, a friend of mine told me it was one of his favorite pale ales, and I never looked back.

It's 5.2% ABV isn't too heavy, but will saturate you nicely if you consume an entire four-pack. Better have some friends over and share the love - both the beer and the video games.

According to their site, the 8-Bit Pale Ale has been named the official beer of retro gamers. Whether this is true or not is up in the air, but the can art and packaging are something that screams at those of us who have been gaming for a long time, which is why it caught my eye so many times sitting on the store shelf.