Magic Misfits
BlackStack Brewing

16oz can into a pint glass. Never a freshness date on Blackstack cans.
L: Pours bright lightly straw lemon yellow w a thin white head that goes quickly to edge foam, very light carbo, no lacing.
S: Melon, pineapple, grapefruit, light caramel malts, fruit salad.
T: White grape skins, grapefruit, melon, a hint of yeast, lemon, melon rind. Resinous, tart, rather sharp, hops are rather wide. Long resinous linger.
F: Gently brisk med-bodied w a sharp middle and a very defined drying med-fast finish. It is brut.
O: Attention grabbing tastes, brut dry, fruity, long linger. It is simple & tart. I would enjoy this beer more if it had more carbo and a stronger malt profile vs up front kissy grape skin. It is good in its style.

 

No canning date

Appearance: Pours a mostly clear (80% clarity) light and pale golden color with a mild white head. SRM of 7. (3.75)

Aroma: Strong aromas of lemon citrus upfront that turns into a yeasty and vinous grape aroma from the Phantasm. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong flavors of lemon and lime citrus, grapefruit flesh, some melon, with a strong and deep vinous grape flavor that follows. Minimal malt body. Mild to moderate bitterness. (3.75)

Feel: Medium-bodied, strong carbonation. Finishes yeasty and mildly bitter. (3.50)

Overall: A decent IPA from BlackStack. Shows the Strata and Phantasm well with the grapefruit and vinous grape flavors. Not as familiar with Motueka. Not that bitter though. My problem with the BlackStack WCIPAs is that they seem to drink more like a brut version of their NEIPAs. They need a little less juice and more malts and bitterness balance. Not bad, but still somehow feels like I'm drinking a hazy.

West Coast IPA in style. The friend who poured it said he thought it was somehow based on Sauvignon grapes. In any event, it was a lovely IPA