Phase Three Double Nectar: Raspberry//Blueberry//Blackberry 4Pk

Phase Three Double Nectar: Raspberry//Blueberry//Blackberry 4Pk is a smoothie-style fruited sour ale from Phase Three Brewing Company, packaged as a 4-pack at 7.8% ABV. As the imperial version of Phase Three's popular Nectar series, this expression carries a 4.3 rating on Untappd across more than 1,500 reviews — a strong signal of its consistency and appeal among sour ale enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.8%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: Imperial Fruited Smoothie Sour  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has developed a devoted following for its heavily fruited sour ales. The Double Nectar series represents the imperial-strength counterpart to the standard Nectar line, pushing fruit intensity and body further. This variant features a triple-berry combination of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry, resulting in the thick, pulpy, almost shake-like texture characteristic of the smoothie sour category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe raspberry leads immediately, followed by a deep blueberry sweetness and darker blackberry undertones. The nose is dominated by fresh mixed-berry fruit, with a subtle lactic tang beneath the fruit layers.

Taste: The entry is thick and immediately fruity — raspberry tartness hits first, giving way to a rounder, sweeter blueberry presence at mid-palate. Blackberry adds depth and a slightly earthy, bramble quality toward the peak. The acidity is moderate and well-integrated rather than puckering, keeping the focus on fruit density.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering berry sweetness and a gentle sour edge that prevents the finish from becoming cloying. A faint yogurt-like creaminess persists as the fruit character slowly fades.

How to Drink Double Nectar

Pour directly into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed goblet at refrigerator temperature to fully appreciate the aroma and thick body. Smoothie sours like this are best enjoyed fresh and on their own, as the fruit-forward profile is the point. For a simple mixed drink, a small pour of Double Nectar layered over vanilla ice cream makes a decadent beer float. It can also work as a base in a berry-forward shandy by adding a splash of lemonade, or serve it alongside a light wheat beer to create a contrasting flight that highlights the intensity of the smoothie sour style.

Best For

• Introducing craft-curious friends to the smoothie sour category
• Pairing with a weekend brunch spread alongside waffles or French toast
• Adding variety to a curated sour ale tasting lineup
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who collects limited or hype-driven releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Nectar taste like? Double Nectar delivers a thick, jam-like combination of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry with moderate tartness and a creamy, smoothie-like body. The fruit character dominates from start to finish, balanced by gentle lactic acidity.

How does Double Nectar compare to 450 North's smoothie sours? Both breweries produce heavily fruited smoothie-style sour ales with thick, pulpy textures, but Phase Three's Double Nectar sits at imperial strength (7.8% ABV) and tends to emphasize a slightly more balanced acidity alongside the fruit sweetness. Direct comparisons depend on the specific variant, as both breweries rotate fruit combinations frequently.

Is Double Nectar good for sipping on its own? Yes — the smoothie sour style is designed to drink like a fruit beverage, and the thick body and layered berry profile make it satisfying as a standalone pour without any additions.

Where is Double Nectar made? Double Nectar is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. The brewery has become well-known in the Midwest craft scene for its fruited sour and stout programs.

What foods pair well with Double Nectar? Buttermilk pancakes or waffles with fresh fruit complement the berry sweetness. A mild chèvre or burrata provides a creamy, tangy contrast. Lemon tarts or shortcake desserts echo the acidity. Dark chocolate brownies add richness that balances the tartness. Grilled chicken salads with a berry vinaigrette mirror the fruit profile.

What sizes does Double Nectar come in? This release is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard format for Phase Three's fruited sour series.

Is Double Nectar worth the price? Double Nectar positions as a premium craft sour ale within the smoothie sour category, where limited-release, brewery-only or allocated beers command higher price points. Its 4.3 Untappd rating across more than 1,500 reviews suggests strong consumer satisfaction relative to the category.

Why Double Nectar?

The Double Nectar series stands apart from standard fruited sours by operating at imperial strength, which gives the beer more body and a richer fruit-to-malt backbone. The raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry combination covers a wide berry spectrum — bright tartness, round sweetness, and dark bramble depth — in a single pour. With a 4.3 Untappd rating from over 1,500 reviewers, this variant has demonstrated broad appeal among a notoriously discerning community of sour ale drinkers. For anyone drawn to the smoothie sour style, Phase Three's execution here represents one of the more reliable entries from a brewery that has earned its reputation in this competitive category.