Phase Three Blast Off 4Pk

Phase Three Blast Off 4Pk is a sour ale from Phase Three Brewing Company in Illinois, packaged in a 4-pack of 16oz cans at 5% ABV (10 proof). As one of the most talked-about craft breweries in the greater Chicago area, Phase Three has built a devoted following for its inventive sour ales, and Blast Off represents the brewery's knack for producing bright, tart, and approachable offerings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Sour Ale  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company, founded by Billy Dunn and located in Lake Zurich, Illinois, launched in 2020 and rapidly earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after small-batch breweries in the Midwest. The brewery specializes in imperial stouts, hazy IPAs, and fruit-forward sour ales, frequently releasing limited batches that sell out within hours. Blast Off follows the Phase Three approach of meticulous recipe development, drawing on the kettle-souring technique common to the style to deliver controlled acidity and clean tartness in a sessionable 5% ABV format.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expect an initial wave of bright citrus acidity and lactic tartness. Subtle grain undertones provide a gentle backdrop to the sour character.

Taste: The entry is crisp and immediately tart, with a lemon-citrus tang that builds across the mid-palate. Light malt sweetness provides balance, keeping the acidity from becoming one-dimensional. The overall impression is refreshing and clean.

Finish: The finish is dry, quick, and palate-cleansing with lingering tart notes. A slight mineral quality emerges as the acidity fades, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Blast Off

Blast Off drinks best well-chilled, poured directly from the 16oz can into a tulip glass or enjoyed straight from the can on a warm day. Its low ABV and tart profile also make it surprisingly versatile in beer cocktails. Try a Berliner Shandy by mixing Blast Off with fresh lemonade for a double-tart summer drink. Use it in a Radler-style serve with grapefruit juice to amplify the citrus character. It also works as the sour component in a Michelada, where its acidity complements hot sauce and lime.

Best For

• Sharing with friends at a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the sour ale category
• Pairing with spicy food where the tartness cuts through heat
• Adding variety to a curated beer night lineup alongside stouts and IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blast Off taste like? Blast Off delivers a clean, tart sour ale experience with citrus-forward acidity, light malt sweetness, and a dry, refreshing finish at a sessionable 5% ABV.

How does Blast Off compare to Phase Three's fruited sour ales? While Phase Three's fruited sours like Double Nectar lean heavily into fruit puree additions and higher ABV, Blast Off takes a more stripped-back approach that emphasizes clean lactic tartness without prominent fruit adjuncts.

Is Blast Off good for sour ale beginners? Yes — its moderate acidity and low 5% ABV make it an accessible entry point for drinkers who are curious about sour ales but wary of intensely tart or funky examples.

Where is Blast Off made? Blast Off is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago known as one of the Midwest's most acclaimed small-batch craft breweries.

What foods pair well with Blast Off? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's acidity cutting through richness. Fresh goat cheese and the tart ale share complementary tang. Fried chicken finds a palate-cleansing partner in the dry finish. Thai green curry matches well as the tartness tempers spice. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette mirrors the beer's citrus notes.

What sizes does Blast Off come in? Blast Off is available in 4-packs of 16oz cans, the standard format for Phase Three's core and limited sour ale releases.

Is Blast Off worth the price? Phase Three positions as a premium craft brewery with a strong secondary-market reputation, and Blast Off delivers quality that aligns with its place in the sought-after small-batch sour ale segment.

Why Blast Off?

Phase Three Brewing Company has earned outsized acclaim since opening in 2020, with releases regularly generating long lines and instant sellouts. Blast Off captures the brewery's strengths in a format built for easy drinking — a clean, precise sour ale at just 5% ABV that showcases lactic tartness without the complexity or heaviness of the brewery's imperial offerings. The 16oz four-pack format makes it practical for sharing, and the sessionable strength means it works across settings from casual afternoons to structured tastings. For fans of the Phase Three house style or drinkers exploring Illinois's booming craft sour scene, Blast Off is a focused and well-executed expression of the category.