Today’s beer was the first-ever taste I got of BlackStack. And, seeing as their brews rarely leave the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, it’ll probably be your first taste too!

So, get excited. And I mean, REALLY excited. This family-run brewery has a massive local following and an Untappd score that’s higher than Midwest giants like 3 Floyds, Founders, and Bell’s. And they did it all in less than three years! 

If that’s not enough to get your craft-sense tingling, just wait ‘til you see what’s in today’s hopbomb.

In addition to copious amounts of Citra and Strata Hops, this NEIPA features what the brewers call “an a**load” of Experimental Hop #07270. 

It figures that BlackStack named this 7.3% ABV beauty Barely Street Legal — not only is it rarely used, but its spice-enhanced flavors are meant only for daring, discerning palates! 

Working alongside their friends from Indiana’s 18th Street Brewery to craft this brew, the BlackStack folks coaxed out bright grapefruit and lemon citrus flavors, juicy melon and hints of spiced earth alongside resinous pine. 

This is super impressive! Many brewers avoid EH #07270 for fear that its spice and vegetal earth aromatics will come on too strong. But in today’s lush haze, the rarely-seen hop complements the fruity notes, rounding them out with gentle spice for deepened complexity. 

We don’t know when we’ll get our hands on another IPA with this hop list, and we doubt it’ll be as expertly-crafted as today’s BlackStack creation. So, stock up on this rare gem and hoard it carefully. Hey, it’s Barely Street Legal! 

Rated 4.20 on Untappd!