Look at you, Blackstone. You're jumping on this bandwagon and saying that this is not only a juicy IPA but it's also a hazy IPA. What's more, you added some kind of texture to your can like the words are separate stickers or something. I like this look. I don't know what the reference to "Phaze Shift" is supposed to mean, if it's supposed to mean anything. Honestly, most breweries are trying too hard to integrate some kind of theme to all of their beers, and it should be acceptable for them to just put out beers that can stand on their own.
It says hazy on the can, and it's hazy. What's more, the haze is mostly made up of those familiar white chunks, but they are exceptionally small. They are suspended in the center of the beverage quite well, and they make the beverage lighter in color than it would otherwise be, so it's more of a honey-orange. The head doesn't sprout up very quickly, and it dissipates to just a dusting on top of the beer. The aroma is delightfully juicy, and I am already enjoying this experience.First sip is very good. It is suitably juicy, quite refreshing, and filled with taste. I try not to let previous experiences with breweries change how I feel about a particular beer, and I think Blackstone has probably suffered from that more than others (aside from possibly Magic Hat). Today I wasn't even thinking about what other beers I might've had from Blackstone, and I genuinely can't remember how many have been good and how many have not. Instead, I know that I like this one so far. Let's see if I like a gulp.
Tip-in is slightly tart with a pile of fruit rinds and a malt that tastes somewhat off. The middle is filled with juices while the malt takes a backseat to everything; I'd like to say which fruits, but they're all mingled together quite blissfully, and I don't want to separate them. The finish turns slightly dry before becoming even juicier so that the fruits manage to hold on through a slightly bitter wave and into the trail off.
Bottom Line: This may be the best Blackstone beer I've ever had.
4.25/5