Minnesota "NE style" IPA's

Any brewery that puts a beer on before it's ready does so by choice; they do not have to. Doing so speaks really pourly of that brewery. If they can't keep up with demand they need to adjust their brewing schedule, and invest in extra equipment if necessary.

 

So to speak!

 

Sorry, I completely disagree. Being on BA, or even having a more experienced palate, should have zero regard for receiving a properly executed product. If I were told by a waitstaff they gave me a beer that wasn't ready because there supply was low, I would ask to be comped and then leave.

Maybe the waitstaff chose very poor words, but if that's how the brewers phrase it as well, I question their business practice.

 

The new Stupud Good crowlers are drinking really well right now. Disgruntled is doing an excellent job.

 

This has to be the case. Neither Austin nor Zach would EVER put a beer on if it were not ready. End of story. Plus, there is always 8 or so beers on tap (usually at least 2 IPAs), so it's not like they had zero other options for patrons in the meantime.

In more important news: I think Regal Hops is their best yet. Granted, it's Citra, which is kind of like cheating BUT it was very well done. Loved it, Slammed it, and Ordered a second one.

ALSO, I am going to BlackStack tomorrow now. Has anyone had anything yet? I know it's only noon, but had to ask... haha

 

This was the Sunday after Pudgy day. They had 2 forager beers on. One was a Decent that was definitely not ready as it was nearly undrinkable. The other was something boring sounding that I didn't want. Amber ale, perhaps? The waitress said they had been cleared out over the weekend. If it was ready, then it was a supremely bad beer. With how good most other things of theirs are, I'd prefer to think that it wasn't ready rather than putting out that poor of a product in anything but the most extreme circumstance.

 

I have had all the solid beers. Enjoy your visit!

 

Maybe the waitstaff chose very poor words, but if that's how the brewers phrase it as well, I question their business practice.[/QUOTE]

That could be true. I once had a beer at Bad Weather and they moved the keg a little too aggressive and just tapped and it had sediment floating when they poured it. The owner let me know about this and asked if this isn't good I'll get you a new one for free.

 

Glad to hear that, still have to make it down there!

 

I certainly don't mean to imply anything negative, either. They are one of the absolute best breweries in the state. Probably top 5 for me. Just was an experience with one of their beers.

 

I certainly don't have any reason to doubt you. Just would hope that's not the norm.

 

I would agree that Zach would never put a beer out if it wasn't ready.

I had Decent on tap one of the first days it was put on, and thought it was decent. I wouldn't call it undrinkable by any means, as stated by @MNBeerGeek They had a guest beer from Schells on tap(Schells Light) but had sold out of Sherpas earlier that afternoon. They also have cider, and Scider(cherry) on tap but don't recall what else.

 

Not sure if it is the same batch we are talking about or not. The one I had was really bad. Medicinal and horribly bitter. Also looked like baby food sludge rather than hazy. Was a bit brownish-green. Like I said before almost everything from forager has been top notch, but this thread alone is evidence that we are too easy on breweries. Gotta call out subpar products.

 

Any feedback yet about BlackStack's NE IPA? I'm trying it this afternoon, but just curious!...

Also, Had Insight East last night. We can definitely cross that off the list of NE IPAs in the state. Kind of an East/West hybrid, at best.

 

I'm gonna be going this afternoon too, excited. Also agree with this about East. Decent brew from Insight, but not exactly what I'd consider an NE IPA. Needs a little more juiciness and maybe a tad less carb.

 

So I went early to BlackStack on accident. Their site says 3pm, but it's actually 4pm--just FYI for future planning...

They were incredibly cool and great hosts about my wife and I busting in out of nowhere. Poured us a flight and had some awesome conversations, despite them all still scrambling to work on the business. The service and attitudes alone won me over.

The space is HUGE. Absolutely a ton of room for an uptick in business. The size and decor blew me away. Does not look or feel like a brand new brewery/taproom.

On to what matters: they have really solid beer. The NE IPA could be hazier, but it tastes great. I think the next iteration that uses mostly Galaxy will only be better. The cool thing about them is they are constantly evolving (and hopefully improving) their NE IPA game. They have big plans, so here's to hoping they can pull it off.

Also, exceptional brand execution (especially once the giant stack outside gets painted black.) Even the tap handles are little black stacks. One could argue this doesn't matter, but it really does. I can't think of one recent brewery to blow up that didn't have its brand & messaging on point.

If you're in the area, definitely stop in. Hell, you could do a Can Can Wonderland & BlackStack evening for a great little weekend night.

Sorry this got so long and ended up sounding like an actual review, but there you go! The more you know... haha...

 

At the brewery right now drinking 755. I think it's a phenomenal NE style IPA for MN. Agree it could be somewhat hazier, but the flavor profiles are on point! Amazing job for a crew that just opened shop. Can't wait to see what else comes out of here!

 

Totally agree with everyone on their IPA, literally the best IPA I've had in some time and I thought it blew Modists recent one out of the water.

These guys are at least even with Utepils in terms of beer execution and just developing a cool brand if not slightly higher in my estimation.

Can't wait to see them do more beer styles.

 

Just wait until the Galaxy hop is released this weekend, that my friends will blow way past Citra. That beer is spectacular!

 

As someone who has had transient, pulpit, TG, and disgruntled, beers from night shift and trillium, etc. Black stacks IPA was ok, but that's about it. Hope the galaxy one is better, as this one was not exciting. Though the odd dearth of hazy juicy ipas in the TC is funny to begin with.