Phase Three Blast Off 4Pk

Phase Three Blast Off 4Pk is a fruit-forward sour ale from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, sold as a four-pack of cans. Inspired by the iconic Rocket Pop frozen novelty, Blast Off layers lime, cherry, and blue raspberry into a tart, crushable package that channels summertime nostalgia in every sip.

Quick Facts: ABV: Not publicly disclosed  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: Fruited Sour Ale  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company was founded in 2019 in Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has rapidly built a reputation around hop-forward IPAs, massive imperial stouts, and heavily fruited ales. Blast Off represents a deliberate shift toward the lighter, more playful end of the brewery's range — a sour ale brewed with three distinct fruit additions (lime, cherry, and blue raspberry) designed to replicate the layered flavor experience of a childhood frozen treat. While Phase Three has not publicly disclosed the specific souring method or grain bill used in this release, the brewery describes the result as bright, punchy, and sessionable, built for warm-weather drinking.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tart cherry and tangy lime hit first, followed by a wave of sugary blue raspberry candy. The overall impression is vibrant and nostalgic, recalling the unmistakable scent of a freshly unwrapped frozen pop.

Taste: The palate opens with sharp lime acidity that transitions into ripe cherry sweetness at mid-palate. Blue raspberry emerges toward the peak, adding a candy-like depth that balances the tartness without tipping into cloying territory. Each fruit layer is distinct yet well-integrated.

Finish: Clean and refreshing, with lingering tart cherry and a faint lime zest that keeps the palate engaged. The finish is short and snappy — as the brewery puts it, "gone before you know it."

How to Drink Blast Off

Blast Off drinks best ice-cold straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to let the fruit aromatics open up. Its bright acidity and low complexity make it a natural warm-weather crusher — no fussing required.

• Shandy-style build: Pour Blast Off over a generous scoop of lemon sorbet for a boozy frozen treat that doubles down on the nostalgic theme.
• Beer Margarita: Combine with a splash of fresh lime juice and a salted rim for a tart, party-ready riff that plays off the lime notes already present.
• Berliner Float: Top a glass of Blast Off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — the tartness cuts through the richness, creating an indulgent dessert pairing.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and pool days where easy-drinking sours shine
• Introducing non-craft drinkers to fruited sour ales through a familiar flavor profile
• Gifting to a beer enthusiast who collects limited Phase Three releases
• Nostalgia-themed tastings alongside other candy-inspired craft beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blast Off taste like? Blast Off delivers a tart, layered combination of lime, cherry, and blue raspberry modeled after a classic Rocket Pop frozen treat. The acidity is bright and punchy, balanced by fruit sweetness and a clean, refreshing finish.

How does Blast Off compare to other Bomb Pop-style sours? Many craft breweries produce Rocket Pop or Bomb Pop-inspired sour ales, but Phase Three's version distinguishes itself through the brewery's reputation for intensely fruited ales and its use of three specifically identified fruit additions — lime, cherry, and blue raspberry — rather than generic fruit flavoring. Direct head-to-head comparisons from verified critics are not currently available.

Is Blast Off good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its familiar frozen-treat flavor profile and approachable tartness make Blast Off an excellent gateway into fruited sour ales for drinkers who may not be accustomed to the style.

Where is Blast Off made? Blast Off is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. The brewery was founded in 2019 and focuses on hop-forward IPAs, imperial stouts, and heavily fruited ales.

What foods pair well with Blast Off? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's lime tartness cutting through the char. Pulled pork sliders contrast with the fruity acidity. Fresh goat cheese salads mirror the beer's tangy brightness. Key lime pie echoes the citrus notes while adding creamy richness. Spicy Nashville hot chicken is tempered by the sour ale's refreshing finish.

What sizes does Blast Off come in? Blast Off is available as a four-pack of cans from Phase Three Brewing. Individual can sizes vary by release; check current packaging details at the point of purchase.

Is Blast Off worth the price? Phase Three positions itself in the premium craft tier, and its limited-release fruited ales consistently attract strong demand. Blast Off sits within that framework as an accessible, everyday-drinking sour rather than a cellar-worthy special release, making it a reasonable value within the brewery's lineup.

Why Blast Off?

Phase Three Brewing built its name on intense, heavily fruited ales, and Blast Off channels that expertise into a lighter, more sessionable format. The triple-fruit combination of lime, cherry, and blue raspberry is executed with enough specificity that each layer reads as distinct on the palate rather than blurring into generic fruit punch. In a crowded field of nostalgia-themed sour ales, the credibility of the Phase Three name — earned through a catalog of sought-after IPAs and stouts since the brewery's 2019 founding — gives Blast Off a built-in trust factor. It is a straightforward, well-executed fruited sour that rewards simplicity over complexity.