Black Lung Brewing Co. Owner & Head Brewer Joshua Grubbs Talks Galaxie:503

We spoke with Black Lung Brewing Co. Owner & Head Brewer Joshua Grubbs about Galaxie:503.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe?
I came up with the recipe. I brewed it about a half-dozen times as a homebrewer before we were licensed. I messed with the hops each time and settled on a mix of Galaxy, Motueka and Nelson Sauvin.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
I strive for balance with my recipes. I love how well the vanilla complements the hops and doesn't overpower them. That, combined with the thick body from the oats, make this one fun to drink.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
All our beer names come from a family member's or friend's story. This was a story from a friend about when his dad was younger and realized, much to his dismay, that he'd been joyriding with his friend in a stolen car!

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
This is a big 7 percent ABV beer, so my desert island beer would likely a light craft lager or pilsner, such as our Wauk-Town Pilz.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Beautiful, sweet vanilla aroma with big body and tasty hops!

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
We call this beer a "maltshake IPA." Milkshake IPAs are big, juicy IPAs with lactose, but our maltshake does not have lactose. It shares a similar body and flavor to milkshake IPAs, but contains no lactose. I called it that once, sort of joking around, and a buddy shouted out: "That's awesome! Is that a thing? You should call it that!" So we did, and now we have a maltshake series! It has been a terrific series for non-lactose drinkers.

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
This beer is hoppy with a perception of sweetness, but it's actually fairly dry. It would pair great with BBQ pulled pork that has a bit of spice and sweetness.

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