BlackStack Brewing

 

Remodeled space that was a canning factory. Street parking and lot parking competes for space with Can Can Wonderland and other beauty businesses. Very high ceiling with acoustic treatment and a concrete floor. Big windows on one side let in light. Seating at wood topped tables and various lounge areas with sofas and easy chairs. Brewing equipment looms in the back. About thirty taps, with a concentration of IPAs and sours. Longer bar with two ordering stations. Board games and pull tabs available. Cooler has cans for take away. Large TV screen and cubicles with clothing for sale. Well trained staff. Lots of big plants. Food trucks for food. Interesting history for the space.

 

 

I used to love this place but recently the service has gone down hill. I was here the other day sitting at the bar. When I tried to order a beer from my seat one of the bartenders refused to serve me there and said I had to go stand in line at the end of the bar. He was very abrupt and rude in demeanor and he made several sexist comments.

Blackstack is slinging some of the very best IPAs currently to be had in Minnesota - and now their sours and stouts are catching up, too.

A bit of an odd location, Blackstack is located in a somewhat suburban/industrial locale - parking is a bit interesting with large lots and plenty of on-street parking, all free. Wear walking shoes as it's often very slippery in winter, particularly with a couple of beers in you.

On-site food in the form of a few pre-packaged deli-style items. Loads of crowlers to go, as well as sodas and juices for those who don't do beer. Also a legit espresso setup. I've yet to try their actual coffee, but I'm told it's quite good.

Flights available and small pours of nearly all beers. Tons of board games and a rather sprawling taproom space. Bathrooms aren't exactly the fanciest, but they're... large? Note that Blackstack is in the very same building as Can-Can Wonderland, which is a sweet stop for food, beer, and arcade games, or mini-golf if the line isn't too bad (it's always bad). Given the number of families hanging out for mini-golf with the kids, the taproom can get quite crowded and full of children. There are also frequent events - trivia and such, and it can be hard to find a table, particularly during Friends trivia. Get here early!

The beer has really evolved at Blackstack - once upon a time, 755 was their only brag-worthy beer - since those times, the IPA selection has expanded greatly (consistently terrific), and now we're seeing lots of sours, wine-hybrids, slushy/smoothie style sours, and even some pastry stouts recently (I had an Oreo peanut butter stout the other day that was fantastic!).

Blackstack is very highly recommended for locals and out-of-towners alike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large, open space in a warehouse next to Can Can Wonderland. The beers are good to really great! Their IPAs are great. It runs a little pricey but it's all worth it.

 

 

 

I was a bit confused about parking when I first showed up, but found the right area to park. Tons of seating, but pretty empty on a Monday afternoon.
7 beers on tap when I was there. Music coming from the brewing area, but at the right level. Beer is delicious. Good place to go.

 

I loved the vibe in here, brand new but bustling, huge, and new meets old, with a really hip renovation and build out of this old space. its enormous in here, but it feels comfortable and mellow. brew house in the back, right in the open, still shiny new looking, they havent been open long. the bar is super long, and there are tables about the place, its sort of white and chrome, sterile for its apparent oldness, but relaxed in here, i liked it. they had a handful of beers on, obviously still working up to a more complete lineup, but the beers we had in here were way ahead of the curve for such a new operation. i loved their coffee beer, but all that we had were great, and their glassware is awesome! i love unique glassware and nice presentation, and they nailed that here. service was great, enthusiastic and attentive, even at a pretty busy bar, and very conversational and kind, we enjoyed chatting with him. its all so new, its great for just getting started. i look forward to watching the evolve in a very competitive local scene here! its a great space, right on top of and adjacent to the crazy arcade place, can can wonderland, which is worth checking out too while you are there. we had a great time here, dug the beers, and will be back for more before too long! a little tricky to get to, but if you cant find it, just look for the huge smoke stack...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blackstack is in the Midway hood of St. Paul it occupies part of a 500000 sq ft building that was a canning facility up until 2000. Blackstack has a hugh open area when you walk in with a long bar that frames the brewery process behind it. There is plenty of room at the bar with a big seating area of tables and some couches. This place has room to grow possibly a kitchen? definatly a canning line. The brew is good right out of the shoot, but only 4 taps. I like the vibe here and the crew that works the place is superb, they make you feel very welcome and appreciated. Parking is at a premium here best to just park out in the street and walk to the brewery . Would love to see some outdoor seating and get rid of some of the parking spaces right up by the front door.