Expansion
Stack Brewing

473 mL can from Metro; no canning date. Served slightly chilled.

Pours a hazy, translucent golden-yellow colour, sporting an inch of soapy, foamy white head that lasts for five minutes or so. By that point, it has been whittled down to a frothy, bubbly collar and creamy cap, with a narrow ring of lace clinging to the glass - looks alright to me. Sharp lactic acidity, yogurt and grapefruit on the nose, with hints of gooseberry, raspberry and wheaty, bready malts; just a touch of gym bag funk.

It actually starts off a little sweet - I'm getting berries, mandarin orange slices in syrup and lemon drop candy, backed by a bready, wheaty malt sweetness. Pink grapefruit comes on strong later, paired with lactic acid and lemon yogurt to round out a tart finish; the aftertaste includes gooseberry, grapefruit, lemony lactic acidity and very faint funk. Medium in body, with low-ish carbonation that weakly brushes against the surface of the tongue. Smooth, soft mouthfeel, with excellent drinkability.

Final Grade: 3.87, a solid B+. Expansion is an above average sour IPA - probably my least-favourite 'type' of IPA. It's tricky to nail that sweet spot in between "not sour enough" and "too sour; the hops are being sidelined", but I think Stack has done a decent job of threading that particular needle. Yeah, the lactic acidity is potent, but enough fruity hop flavour can be discerned to give off the impression of an IPA. It's still not something I'd be interested in drinking on a regular basis, but if you enjoy sour IPAs then this is well worth your time.

 

 

 

 

Introducing their 3rd Anniversary Brew - Expansion! This 6.5% Sour IPA is hazy gold in colour with bold flavours of sour, tart grapefruit complimented by some light bitterness. Perfect for the Patio