Phase Three Pixel Stack 4PK is a 6.2% ABV hazy IPA brewed with Citra hops, mango, and marshmallow from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Phase Three earned the #2 Small Brewery in the World ranking in Craft Beer & Brewing's Reader's Choice Best In Beer 2022, and Pixel Stack represents one of their most sought-after riffs on the acclaimed Pixel base recipe. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.2% | Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois, USA | Style: Hazy IPA (NEIPA) | Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company Production & Heritage Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has rapidly built a national reputation for intensely flavorful hazy IPAs and stouts. Pixel Stack is a variant of their popular Pixel series, which originally gained traction at the brewery taproom for its signature marshmallow addition — an unconventional ingredient that lends a soft, pillowy body to the beer. This expression layers Citra hops alongside mango and marshmallow, pushing the base Pixel concept toward a more fruit-forward, dessert-adjacent profile while retaining its hazy IPA backbone. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe mango and tropical citrus dominate the nose immediately, followed by a subtle vanilla-like sweetness suggestive of the marshmallow addition. Underneath, bright Citra hop resin adds a layer of grapefruit and passionfruit. Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-saturated, with mango pulp and citrus zest hitting the palate first. At mid-palate, the marshmallow component rounds everything out, contributing a creamy, almost confectionary softness that tempers any hop bitterness. The overall impression is pillowy and lush without tipping into cloying territory. Finish: Medium in length with a gentle, lingering citrus peel note and a faint marshmallow sweetness. The finish stays clean enough to invite another sip, with minimal astringency or drying hop bite. How to Drink Pixel Stack Pour cold into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to maximize the aromatic experience — the wide mouth concentrates the tropical hop character. This is a beer designed to drink fresh; do not cellar it. A Mango Shandy riff works well using Pixel Stack as the beer base with a splash of fresh lemon juice for added brightness. A Beer-mosa pairing with fresh-squeezed orange juice complements the existing fruit character without overpowering it. For a more adventurous serve, a Michelada variation using Pixel Stack trades the traditional lager crispness for a rounder, tropical take on the classic. Best For Hazy IPA enthusiasts exploring fruit-adjunct expressions Sharing with friends at a summer cookout or backyard session Gifting to a craft beer collector who follows limited-release breweries Pairing alongside spicy or grilled foods where the sweetness provides contrast Frequently Asked Questions What does Pixel Stack taste like? Pixel Stack delivers a juicy, mango-forward hazy IPA experience with a distinctive pillowy mouthfeel from the marshmallow addition and bright citrus notes from Citra hops. It reads as tropical and softly sweet without heavy bitterness. How does Pixel Stack compare to the original Phase Three Pixel? The original Pixel is a 100% Citra hazy IPA without the mango and marshmallow additions, resulting in a more straightforward hop-forward profile. Pixel Stack builds on that foundation with added fruit and confectionary sweetness, making it fuller-bodied and more dessert-adjacent. Is Pixel Stack good for beginners? Its low bitterness, fruit-forward character, and creamy texture make Pixel Stack an approachable entry point for anyone new to hazy IPAs, though the marshmallow addition may surprise drinkers expecting a traditional IPA. Where is Pixel Stack made? Pixel Stack is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. Phase Three has operated as a small-batch craft brewery and was recognized as the #2 Small Brewery in the World by Craft Beer & Brewing's Reader's Choice in 2022. What foods pair well with Pixel Stack? Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical fruit notes. Spicy Thai curry benefits from the beer's soft sweetness as a counterbalance. A charcuterie board with mild, creamy cheeses like burrata complements the pillowy mouthfeel. Lemon bars or fruit tarts align with the citrus and dessert-like character. What sizes does Pixel Stack come in? Pixel Stack is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard format for Phase Three's hazy IPA releases. Is Pixel Stack worth the price? Pixel Stack positions in the premium craft IPA tier, consistent with limited-distribution hazy IPAs from highly rated small breweries. The combination of Phase Three's reputation, specialty adjunct ingredients, and small-batch production supports its pricing within that segment. Why Pixel Stack? Pixel Stack stands out in a crowded hazy IPA landscape because of its marshmallow addition — a production choice that genuinely alters the beer's texture in a way that most fruit-adjunct NEIPAs cannot replicate. It comes from a brewery that earned a top-two global ranking among small breweries from Craft Beer & Brewing's readers, lending real credibility to the liquid inside the can. The Citra-mango combination is dialed in rather than gimmicky, delivering tropical intensity without sacrificing drinkability at 6.2% ABV. For anyone tracking Phase Three's limited releases, Pixel Stack is one of the expressions that helped cement the brewery's national following.
