Ode to Blackstack (2021)

I'm not big into the hazy IPA's but I think Blackstack, Modist, Barrel Theory, Lupulin, and Drastic Measures do the best ones. Am I missing any big hitters? How would you all rate these five places for just hazy ipa's/

 

I wouldn't really know how to rank those. Fair State makes some solid ones as well.

But I think Barrel Theory makes the best hazies.

 

Yeah forgot Fair State...good call

 

I tried that quadruple IPA of theirs, and I think I hated it. It was way too sweet, which I know is what some people are looking for, but I sure wasn't.

 

There have been two that I know of: A fairly recent release (which I missed), and a pastry stout from a year or so back — both are blends of the same barrel aged base, as I understand it:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48592/502092/

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48592/445200/?ba=Chaz#review

 

Lot of interesting takes on Blackstack. I’ll admit I want them to succeed and for the most part they’ve been really successfully reaching a certain demographic( Haze fans) but when they recently reopened the taproom pre shut-down I visited and they had 7 IPA’s and 3 fruited sour beers and nearly everything was 7% or higher .

I left after 45 mins and scratching my head as I wondered did they just not have capacity or why would they not just have more variety in their lineup that would appeal to every type of visitor and a range you can drink more than one pint without calling an Uber . I understand that IPA’s are their bread and butter but I’m not buying any more $18 dollar 9% 4 packs ever ! I can get perfectly good tried and tested beers for half the cost .

Blackstack should seriously get back to releasing some sub $10 packs (Spare Parts was great ) that are not IPA’s. I really wish they could produce some Coffee beers , Lagers, Porters, American brown Ales , something that land in that 4.5%~6.0% sweet spot that’s not another IPA.

I just checked and see and they released a new beer and you guessed it .
https://twitter.com/blackstackbrew/status/1330923789648007168?s=21

Blackstack did change brewers last year I believe & brought in a brewer from Fair State and one from The Freehouse .

Rant Done ... I do like these guys and wish them every success but just wish they could pivot and branch out more on beer styles.

 

I think of their releases over the past year or two as variations on a theme. You have a pretty good idea of what you’re gonna get, but if that’s what you like, you will never be disappointed. I happen to love their theme, so I always grab them.

Within the genre of sweet, hazy (often boozy) IPAs, they still exhibit some variety through their hop selection. Free Strata did not taste the same as Free Citra, even though both were a similar style.

Anyway, with so many options on the shelves today I don’t have any problem with breweries who want to specialize in a particular style. If I want a stout, barleywine, pale ale, or whatever, I’ve got lots of great choices.

 

Bingo.

 

I like the musings on the labels. Fun stuff.

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Drinking a can of Fugazi right now. Pretty damn good pils.

 

Blackstack got lager game.

 

They should can more of them.

Enjoyed their Kolsch* at the taproom quite sometime ago.

* I'm considering this a lager

 

Their “Side of Ranch” Lager is fantastic. There was still quite a few 4 packs left at total wine last week

 

Murk Merchants is pretty tasty. So far my only miss is that funky foeder Pilsner with galaxy. But I mean it was exactly that, just hoped it’d be my kind of funky foeder Pilsner. If I have one.

 

Drinking a TDH Thread Count, very nice

 

Does anyone know if they recently got a centrifuge? Their beers are a lot cleaner/less yeasty than when I drank them about a year ago. Had their thirst encounters Triple IPA and it was a complete mess. Tasted great after letting everything settle to the bottom of the can for a couple weeks. Their latest Thread Count was really clean and tasty.