What we’re drinking: Tigerhawk
ABV: 4.2%
Who Brews It: Big Grove Brewery
Where you can find it: Most grocery and convenience stores
Expected Price: $10.99 for a 6-pack of 16 oz cans, $19.99 for a 12-pack of 12 oz cans
October is here, and college football is in full swing. Many fans that live in Dubuque are planning to take the opportunity to drive to Kinnick, Jack Trice, Camp Randall, or Memorial Stadium to catch a game. For some fans, this is a weekly tradition. Other fans turn it into a special weekend and attend one or two games a year. For many of these fans, the game itself only narrowly edges out the tailgating experience. Universities have always been aware of the tailgating experience — it is rather difficult to overlook thousands of grills and a seemingly infinite supply of beer — but with the new NIL-era of college sports, many universities have begun to leverage officially sponsored craft beers and beverages. This column should make Hawkeye fans happy, as we’re reviewing Tigerhawk, a relatively new lager from Big Grove Brewery that was brewed in collaboration with the University of Iowa.
Tigerhawk is an American lager through and through. If you’ve drank a Budweiser before, you have a good idea of what to expect on your first sip. Chiefly, this is a beer that you want to serve ice-cold. Some beers, like a stout or a doppelbock, taste better between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Tigerhawk should be treated like other American lagers. Keep it on ice until it’s time to drink. If you want to get fancy, stick a can in your freezer for 15 minutes to give it a nice chill. If you do this, don’t forget about it, as beer cans and bottles will rupture if forgotten in the freezer.
If you’re pouring a Tigerhawk into a glass, you’ll notice that it has a light amber color. The beer has a decent head, especially if you pour it quickly, but this is ultimately a beer that’s designed for drinkability. There’s a slight semi-sweet finish, and it has a fuller, grainier body than the light domestics while maintaining an overall neutral taste. In my opinion, Big Grove did an excellent job on the design of the can. The two color black and gold scheme looks sharp, and I appreciated the inclusion of the Hawkeye victory polka on the front of the can. “In Heaven there is no beer; that’s why we drink it here”
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