

BlackStack Brewing THC Drinks
About BlackStack Brewing
BlackStack Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery based in St. Paul, Minnesota, founded in 2017 by the late Scott Johnson and his family. Originally known for their hop-forward beers and innovative brewing approach, BlackStack expanded into the THC beverage market in 2023 with their "Real Trees" line of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC seltzers. The brewery operates from a converted American Can building with a 300-person taproom, maintaining a hands-on family approach to operations. Following Scott Johnson's unexpected passing in April 2023, the brewery continues under the leadership of matriarch Shawne Murphy Johnson and her children Murphy, Cooper, and Quinn Johnson. BlackStack is distinguished by their philosophy of "no shortcuts," emphasizing quality ingredients, clean flavors, and collaborative innovation across both their traditional beer lineup and THC beverage offerings. These hemp-derived products are available throughout Minnesota through licensed retailers, with the brewery pioneering draft THC beverage service at their taproom location.
Products Overview
BlackStack's Real Trees line features hemp-derived Delta-9 THC seltzers available in 5mg and 10mg dosage options across six distinct flavors. Each seltzer is crafted with real fruit purees and contains 60-65 calories per can, using cane sugar as a natural sweetener with no artificial flavors or preservatives. The product lineup spans both standard dose and high dose categories to accommodate different experience levels and preferences.
Product Name | Product Category | THC/CBD Content | Dosage | Price | Flavors | Packaging Format | Calories/Sugar |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Real Trees: Minnesota Mule (Ginger Lime) | Seltzer | 5mg THC, 0mg CBD | Standard | $23.96 per 4-pack | Ginger Lime | 12oz can | 60 calories per can |
Real Trees: Blood Orange Guava | Seltzer | 10mg THC, 0mg CBD | High | $23.96 per 4-pack | Blood Orange Guava | 12oz can | 65 calories per can |
Real Trees: Strawberry & Kiwi | Seltzer | 10mg THC, 0mg CBD | High | $23.96 per 4-pack | Strawberry Kiwi | 12oz can | No information available |
Real Trees: Blackberry Lemonade | Seltzer | 10mg THC, 0mg CBD | High | $23.96 per 4-pack | Blackberry Lemonade | 12oz can | No information available |
Real Trees: Honey Crisp Apple | Seltzer | 10mg THC, 0mg CBD | High | $23.96 per 4-pack | Honeycrisp Apple | 12oz can | No information available |
Real Trees: Lemonade & Iced Tea | Tea | 10mg THC, 0mg CBD | High | $23.96 per 4-pack | Lemonade Iced Tea | 12oz can | No information available |
Other Products by BlackStack Brewing
Beyond their THC seltzers, BlackStack Brewing offers a complete line of THC gummies in matching flavors (Blackberry Lemonade, Strawberry & Kiwi, and Blood Orange Guava) at 5mg THC per piece. The brewery is primarily known for their extensive traditional craft beer lineup including hop-forward IPAs like their flagship "Local 755," fruited sours in their "Now Presenting" series, crispy lagers, and bold stouts.
This profile focuses specifically on BlackStack Brewing's THC beverage products. For their complete beer and gummy catalog, visit their official website.
Background
BlackStack Brewing was founded in 2017 by Scott Johnson and his family in St. Paul, Minnesota, following years of careful planning and a deep passion for craft beer. Scott Johnson previously owned All Saints Brands, Inc. in the 1990s, a distribution company that brought European classics like La Trappe and Tripel Karmeliet to Minnesota, while also importing early American craft beers including Lagunitas and Three Floyds. The brewery's name was inspired by the prominent smokestack of the American Can building, visible from the Johnson family's home in Prospect Park, where they established their 300-person taproom and production facility. The brewery launched as a true family affair with Scott's wife Shawne serving as CEO and their children Murphy, Cooper, and Quinn all taking active roles in operations, from recipe development to marketing. Following Scott Johnson's unexpected death in April 2023 at age 62, the family continues to operate BlackStack under his philosophy of "no shortcuts," emphasizing quality ingredients, collaborative innovation, and community support. The brewery's approach includes encouraging all team members to contribute improvements to processes and menu offerings, while supporting local businesses through partnerships with food trucks and other small enterprises.
Quick Facts About BlackStack Brewing
Founded: | 2017 |
Headquarters: | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Product Types: | THC Seltzers, THC Gummies, IPAs, Lagers, Sours, Stouts |
THC Range: | 5mg - 10mg per serving |
Price Range: | $5.99 - $5.99 per can |
Availability: | Minnesota licensed retailers and taproom |
Values
- Quality ingredients: Clean, distinct flavors with no shortcuts in production using real fruit purees and natural sweeteners
- Collaborative innovation: Encouraging input from all team members to improve processes and offerings across beer and THC product lines
- Community support: Partnerships with local food trucks and small businesses to strengthen the local economy
- Family-operated approach: Hands-on leadership across all aspects of operations maintaining personal connection to customers
- Educational responsibility: Emphasizing safety and responsible consumption in their THC product education and taproom policies
Reviews
BlackStack Brewing has received positive recognition from industry publications, with Hop Culture naming them one of the best hidden gem breweries in the country and City Pages listing them among Minnesota's finest. Customer feedback on their THC seltzers highlights appreciation for the real fruit flavors and natural ingredients, with many noting the clean taste and reliable onset effects. Reviews consistently praise the brewery's welcoming taproom atmosphere and knowledgeable staff who help guide customers through both traditional beer and THC product selections. Some customers appreciate the variety of dosage options, allowing them to choose between 5mg and 10mg products based on their experience level and desired effects.
- "Clean, refreshing taste with real fruit flavors"
- "Reliable onset times and consistent effects"
- "Welcoming taproom atmosphere with knowledgeable staff"
- "Quality ingredients and natural sweeteners"
- "Limited availability outside Minnesota"
- "Higher price point compared to some competitors"
BlackStack Brewing vs Competitors
Brand | THC Range | Price Point | Product Variety | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
BlackStack Brewing | 5mg - 10mg | $5.99 per can | 6 seltzer flavors + gummies | Minnesota retailers |
Cann | 1mg - 5mg | $4.00 - $6.60 per can | 3 core flavors + seasonals, multiple dose options | 35+ states hemp-derived + dispensaries |
Keef | 10mg - 100mg | $8.00 - $12.00 per bottle | Sodas, mocktails, energy drinks (10+ flavors) | 13 legal markets + 11 hemp states |
Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops | 5mg - 10mg | $8.00 - $9.00 per can | Hoppy sparkling water (4+ varieties) | California & Colorado dispensaries |
Peers selected by category and dose band.
Promotions & Coupon Codes
No current promotional offers or discount programs are publicly advertised. BlackStack focuses on taproom events including Taco Tuesday, First Friday dance parties, and seasonal activities like paint-your-partner events and brewery-hosted concerts.
Where to Buy BlackStack Brewing
BlackStack Real Trees THC seltzers are available throughout Minnesota at licensed liquor stores including Top Ten Liquors, France44, and other authorized retailers. The brewery's taproom at 755 Prior Avenue North in St. Paul offers on-site consumption with a maximum limit of 20mg THC per visit. As of July 2024, BlackStack began serving THC seltzers on tap at their location, making them one of the first breweries in the nation to offer draft THC beverages. Looking for similar THC seltzers from verified retailers? Browse our curated selection at buythcdrinks.com.
Quality & Testing
BlackStack Brewing maintains extensive quality testing protocols with comprehensive Certificate of Analysis (COA) documentation for all THC products. Each batch undergoes full panel testing including potency verification, microbials, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pesticide screening. The brewery publishes historical lab results dating back to 2023, with COAs available directly on their website for transparency. Testing is conducted by certified third-party laboratories with results showing consistent potency accuracy within acceptable variance ranges.
- Blood Orange Guava Batch 3-19-25 Full Lab Results
- Blood Orange Guava Batch 12-05-24 Full Lab Results
- Strawberry Kiwi Batch 07-09-25 Full Lab Results
- Blackberry Lemonade Batch 07-24-25 Full Lab Results
THC beverages may cause intoxication; do not drive or operate machinery.
Ingredients
BlackStack Real Trees seltzers emphasize natural ingredients with real fruit purees as the primary flavor source, avoiding artificial flavors and preservatives. All products use cane sugar as a natural sweetener and include hemp-derived Delta-9 THC sourced from Minnesota-approved suppliers. The seltzers contain water, fruit purees, natural flavor extracts, and citric acid for preservation and tartness. Products are produced in the same facility as gluten-containing beverages, making them not suitable for individuals with celiac disease.
Product | Primary Ingredients |
---|---|
Minnesota Mule | Water, lime puree, ginger puree, natural ginger flavor extract, hemp-derived delta-9 THC, cane sugar, citric acid |
Blood Orange Guava | Water, blood orange puree, pink guava puree, natural guava flavor extract, hemp-derived delta-9 THC, cane sugar, citric acid |
Strawberry & Kiwi | Water, strawberry puree, kiwi puree, cane sugar, natural kiwi flavor, hemp-derived delta-9 THC, citric acid |
Recalls or Safety Issues
No recalls or regulatory actions reported for BlackStack Brewing as of 2025.
Events
BlackStack Brewing hosts regular taproom events including:
- Taco Tuesday specials with discounted food truck offerings
- First Friday dance parties with live music performances
- Seasonal paint-your-partner events inspired by social media trends
- Special beer and THC product releases with educational sessions
- Community partnerships with local food trucks rotating weekly
PR & Media
BlackStack Brewing has received significant industry recognition including being named one of the best hidden gem breweries in America by Hop Culture and listed among Minnesota's finest breweries by City Pages. The brewery gained additional media attention following the passing of founder Scott Johnson in April 2023, with extensive coverage of his impact on the Minnesota craft beer community. BlackStack has been featured in industry discussions about Minnesota's pioneering role in THC beverage innovation, with quotes in publications discussing the state's leadership in hemp-derived Delta-9 products. The brewery's distribution partnership with Artisan Beer Company in 2024 generated trade publication coverage highlighting their expansion across Minnesota.
- Tavour Brewery Spotlight — Featured as innovative Minnesota brewery
- Racket MN THC Industry Coverage — Quoted on Minnesota's THC beverage leadership
- Star Tribune Memorial Coverage — Extensive founder tribute and company profile
Social Media
Platform | Handle | Followers |
---|---|---|
@blackstackbrewing | 30k | |
BlackStack Brewing | 14.2k | |
X | @BlackStackBrew | No information available |
Company Details
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Website | https://www.blackstackbrewing.com |
Founded | 2017 |
Headquarters | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Founders | Scott Johnson, Shawne Murphy Johnson, Murphy Johnson, Cooper Johnson, Quinn Johnson |
Ownership | Family-owned and operated by the Johnson family |
Address | 755 Prior Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN 55104 |
Related THC Beverage Brands
Other Minnesota-based THC beverage producers include Bent Paddle Brewing and HeadFlyer Brewing, both offering similar hemp-derived Delta-9 seltzers. National brands like Cann and Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops also compete in the low-dose THC beverage space, though with different flavor profiles and dosing strategies than BlackStack's Real Trees lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions About BlackStack Brewing
How much THC is in BlackStack Real Trees products?
BlackStack offers two dosage options: 5mg THC per can in their Minnesota Mule flavor, and 10mg THC per can in their Blood Orange Guava, Strawberry & Kiwi, Blackberry Lemonade, Honeycrisp Apple, and Lemonade & Iced Tea varieties. All products use hemp-derived Delta-9 THC sourced from Minnesota-approved suppliers.
What do BlackStack Real Trees beverages taste like?
BlackStack emphasizes real fruit flavors using actual fruit purees rather than artificial flavoring. Customers describe the taste as clean and refreshing, with prominent natural fruit notes and a light sweetness from cane sugar. The ginger lime variety has a spicy kick, while the fruit flavors are described as authentic and well-balanced.
How long do effects take to kick in?
BlackStack states that effects typically begin within 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption, with significant individual variation. The brewery emphasizes that THC is a personal experience and recommends starting with lower doses, especially for new users. Their taproom policy limits consumption to 20mg maximum per visit for safety.
Are BlackStack THC seltzers gluten-free?
No, BlackStack Real Trees seltzers are not suitable for individuals with celiac disease. The products are manufactured in the same facility and equipment used for gluten-containing beer production, creating potential cross-contamination concerns.
Can I mix BlackStack THC seltzers with alcohol?
No, BlackStack Brewing has a strict policy prohibiting the combination of alcohol and THC products. When visiting their taproom, customers must choose either beer or THC products for their visit, not both. This policy is enforced for safety reasons and regulatory compliance.
Last Updated
Last Updated: August 27, 2025
Sources
- BlackStack Brewing THC Seltzers Page — 2025-08-27 — Official product information
- BlackStack Brewing Philosophy Page — 2025-08-27 — Company background and values
- Star Tribune — 2023-04-22 — Scott Johnson obituary and company history
- Johnson Brothers Distributors — 2024-03-19 — Distribution partnership announcement
- Tavour — n.d. — Brewery profile and industry recognition
- Top Ten Liquors — 2025-08-27 — Retail pricing information
- Racket MN — 2024-03-26 — Minnesota THC beverage industry analysis
- Bring Me The News — 2024-07-13 — THC beverages on tap legislation
- Instagram — 2025-08-27 — Official social media presence
- Facebook — 2025-08-27 — Official social media presence