Stack 101 High Gravity Smooth Lager
United Brands Company

Stack 101 High Gravity Smooth LagerStack 101 High Gravity Smooth Lager
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From:
United Brands Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Malt Liquor
Ranked #43
ABV:
9.9%
Score:
58
Ranked #28,501
Avg:
2.2 | pDev: 44.09%
Reviews:
46
Ratings:
66
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 20, 2023
Added:
Dec 10, 2009
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  5
Stack 101 High Gravity Smooth Lager is brewed with the finest extra malted barley and select hops for a bold yet exceptionally smooth taste. Stack 101 Smooth Lager is the first introductory brew style by Stack Brewing Company. Stack Beer is brewed with superior ingredients for big, bold and smooth flavor.
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Photo of Bouleboubier
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey

3.04/5  rDev +38.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.25
(24 oz can; 24 053; purchased cold from a Casey store in the Dakotas this week... decanted into a Busch shaker pint)

Yellow-amber liquid, very mild haze; luxuriously silky, wavy head; this actually looks fantastic! lace city... smells like industrially artificial sugar cookie with a sweet creamed corn character; maybe a slight sickly corn likker booziness accenting; overall very potent, in your face... on the palate: moonshine and malt syrup - yuck! - I can't even imagine any resemblance to a cheap tripel... luckily, it's relatively dry, almost weightless on the palate, with only the slighest residual film and warmth... as 'unique' as this is, it's far from well brewed, though it has potential; I do suspect this was a lower abv malt liquor cut with grain alcohol or moonshine; something's quite off about it; beware of this! - only drink this ice cold from the can (2175)
Aug 20, 2023
Photo of Mark-Leggett
Reviewed by Mark-Leggett from Missouri

2.42/5  rDev +10%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured from a can. Straw in color with a white head. Smells of corn, malt and a sweet hint. Flavors of grain, malt and a boozy bitter background. Not what I would call a great taste but it's not the worst. Worth the try for the dollar I spent.
Feb 24, 2022
Photo of BCole281
Reviewed by BCole281 from Texas

1.79/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75
24oz can, date code indecipherable. Poured into an Arcoroc nonic pint glass.

A - Poured a clear golden color with a quickly receding head that left no lacing on the glass.

S - Smells of malts, adjuncts, and green apples. ABV is not hidden well in the nose.

T - Initial tart green apple and corn notes fade to leave a boozy bitterness at the back of the throat. Overall harsh flavor despite the word "smooth" being printed almost ten times on the can.

M - Light-bodied with medium carbonation. Feels somewhat slick as it moves around the mouth.

O - Among others within the style, even other HGLs, this one is far from pleasant. Tick completed.
Jun 30, 2021
Photo of Darkmagus82
Reviewed by Darkmagus82 from Texas

2.4/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.25
Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a clear golden color with a one finger head of white foam. The head fades very fast leaving just a trace of lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is heavy of a corn syrup sweetness mixed with aromas of a dusty dankness as well as a metallic smell. With a touch of cardboard, the aroma is overall not the most enticing.
Taste – The taste begins with a sweet corn syrup and caramel taste mixed with a touch of grain and a decently strong paper taste. As the taste advances some light mustiness and more paper, as well as some metallic tastes comes to the tongue, leaving one with a metallic and sweet malt liquor taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is light and crisp with a carbonation level that is high. For the style and the more off tastes the feel is good, as it minimizes the impact of the flavors on the tongue to its greatest extent.
Overall – Not the best malt out there for sure…
Jan 05, 2021
Photo of Kristopherm88
Rated by Kristopherm88

4.94/5  rDev +124.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
You pussies this is a mans beer
Feb 16, 2020
Photo of jwc215
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona

1.73/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
24 oz. can:

Pours yellow. Fast carbonation kills the head to bubbles and a ring. No real lacing sticks.

The smell is of alcohol, some grain. Alcohol dominates, but overall not too offensive.

The taste makes my face involuntarily twinges at the taste. This is bad - even for the style. Raw alcohol with an odd sweetness that is tough to describe.

This is harsh - It says "smooth", but don't believe it.

This is for people who want a quick buzz at a cheap price. I somehow made it through the whole can, but never again. There are better malt liquors out there. This is one of the worst beers I've ever had. I don't recommend it, even to alcoholics looking for a cheap high abv brew.
Jan 06, 2019
Photo of Drak-Nib
Reviewed by Drak-Nib from Nebraska

2.25/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
You know, with so many good beers available, I keep trying these high gravity lagers just for completion's sake. And that's kind of sad. Sure, if you want 24 ounces of 12%, try this or one of the many other high gravity lagers available. Or get something quality with less alcohol and have two. Same result, better taste. Oh well, it could have been truly nasty tasting. ca. 2010
Nov 13, 2018
Photo of BBThunderbolt
Reviewed by BBThunderbolt from Kiribati

3.03/5  rDev +37.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
24oz can poured into 12oz tulip. Poured a clean, clear dark yellow color, with about 1/2 inch of white head that dissipated very quickly and left no lacing.

The aroma was neutral, leaning towards bland.

The flavor was also bland, except for a bit of alcohol sharpness.

The body was light and even, with a definite alcohol burn at the finish.

Drinkability was OK, although I would have preferred a smaller format. Overall, it is what it is; a cheap buzz. $1.99 for 24oz of 9.9% beer. You could do worse if you need to scratch this style itch.
May 17, 2018
Photo of BucannonXC5
Reviewed by BucannonXC5 from California

2.36/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.25
Type: 24-oz. can
Glass: Clear 15.25-oz. pilsner
From: 5 Star Market & Liquor in La Mesa, Calif..
Price: $1.79
Purchased: Oct. 31, 2017
Consumed: Oct. 31, 2017
Reviewed as: American Malt Liquor
Misc.: No canned on date; Can reads 9.9 pct. ABV

Recently was dared to review a King Cobra. Actually did not know that Malt Liquor was reviewable on Beer Advocate. Once I looked it up and saw I was, had to go with it. Once I saw that there were seven (seven!) (EDIT: now eight (eight!)) other Malt Liquors at the next-door market, made it a point to review one each Tuesday until I run out. Typically am against all the big boy beers, but I am breaking that rule for this challenge. Eighth up was Stack (High Gravity). Apparently it was brewed by United Brands in Lacrosse, Wis., and under special agreement in Memphis, Tenn. Can read “Stack 101 High Gravity Smooth Lager is brewed with the finest extra malted barley and select hops for a bold yet exceptionally smooth taste. Stack 101 Smooth Lager is the first introductory brew style by Stack Brewing Company. Stack beer is brewed with superior ingredients for big, bold and smooth flavor.” A quick look at Beer Advocate and it had it at 2.13. Whoa. That meant it was only better than King Cobra and Old English 800. Going in I had it E40, Mickey’s, Hurricane, Steele Reserve 211, Natty Daddy, Old English 800 and King Cobra with the latter three pretty far back.

Poured a straw clear color with two fingers of off-white fizzy head. Lots of fast moving bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. Decent spotty lacing. Average retention. (Sight - 3.25)

Smelled kind of a mess initially like a bunch of flavors trying to get out of the can. Got red apple, sweet corn syrup, scrambled eggs, skunk, light strawberry, pear and buttered sourdough bread. Not smelling too boozy. (Smell - 2.75)

Usually the first taste of American Malt Liquors for me are not terrible, but the second one can be all over the place (usually much, much worse). However, this may have been the worst first taste of the lot. Second taste was even worse, but not as bad as it could have been. Specifically got sweet corn syrup, buttered white bread, spoiled pear, green apple, white grape, hints of strawberry, boxed white wine, barley, wet grain, scrambled eggs and wet skunky fart. Did not taste 9.9 pct. (Taste - 2.25)

Medium body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt finish. Very unbalanced and tough to swallow. (Feel - 1.50)

Was kind of all over the place on a few categories here. Certainly wasn’t a fan. Would have it in the lower 1/3 of the Malt Liquors. (Overall - 2.25)

2.36 | 57 | D+
Nov 17, 2017
 
Rated: 2.93 by Gagnonsux from Texas

Oct 26, 2016
 
Rated: 1.53 by Maillard from Ohio

Feb 11, 2016
 
Rated: 1 by Falcone from North Carolina

Nov 16, 2014
 
Rated: 1.25 by Slashytits from New York

Jul 07, 2014
Photo of Spikester
Reviewed by Spikester from Oregon

2.89/5  rDev +31.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
This beer was listed as 9.9% not 12%.
Good looking pour for the style.
Smell is pretty boozy
Taste is very close to a barleywine but on the low end of the scale. No bad flavors but the booziness is a bit hard to take. Mouthfeel is medium to full with a lightly bitter finish.
Overall not my type of beer but not bad for the style.
Jul 01, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by Boozyrican

Jun 19, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by BieberHoles69 from Washington

Jun 15, 2014
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

1.42/5  rDev -35.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.25
UBC LaCrosse WI and under special agreement Memphis TN on the can.

It pours a fairly dark yellow with a 1 finger head of foam with lots of bubble action.

Huge corn notes in the smell as well as some grain. It also smells the full 9.9% abv.

Corn first and foremost followed by some lemon twang that leans towards the tart side. Saying that it is rough tasting would almost be a compliment; smooth is mentioned a few times on the can.

The tartness intensifies as the beer warms and in a case like this, that is not a good thing.

I had to try it. It was cheap as dirt. I hope my sink doesn't mind a few ounces.
May 28, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by BLACKENEDPLAGUE from Ohio

Apr 11, 2014
Photo of vulgora
Reviewed by vulgora from Oregon

1.05/5  rDev -52.3%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25
its cheap its 9.9% and its HORRIBLE
i like high gravity malt liquors but this is just bad , it was $1.65 but dont let that price point fool you
you can get much better for the same price.

its just so strong and full of corn like drinking bio diesel, its not super carbonated but it is bubbly
its reminds me of sunny delight , its so fake and full of artificial crap strong and syrupy .

this is so bad its so strong , i couldn't just drink it like a normal beer , i had to sip it like a wine , it took me a while to finish it.

i used to get 4 16 once for $1.99 at the center market and i used to be able to pound them like nothing and that was when it was 12% .
and after i had to drink this slowly because it was so bad i barly got a buzz . might as well of got a can of pbr...

this stuff is not good , i bought it to see if it was as bad as i remember and the can for the collection.

if you dont want to do either of this stay away , get old englishe ,hurricane, steel reserve, ice house edge or even natty daddy

anything is better than this even 4loco or other alco pop you can drown out the nasty with 7 up

i do not recommend stay away
Feb 11, 2014
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

1.97/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.75
I picked up a 24oz can at my local corner mart. Looks like a real winner. ABV is 9.9% per the label. "Stack High Gravity Smooth Lager." Reviewed as a malt liquor given its marketing, price point, and ingredients list. Served into a pilsner glass in Austin, Texas. Reviewed live. Expectations are extremely low.

Served cold - straight from the fridge. Side-poured gently as overcarbonation is anticipated.

A: No bubble show forms as it's poured.

Pours a predictable clear translucent yellow littered with abundant carbonation bubbles. It's got some nice vibrance and isn't weak looking like many malt liquors. No floating yeast particles/sediment is visible; it's quite clean. High transparency; you can read text through this beer.

The head is initially two fingers wide but recedes to a very thin layer atop the body inside one minute. Still, the retention is better than you'd expect for a budget range malt liquor at this high an ABV. Some limited spotty inconsistent lacing does cling to the sides of the glass after the head recedes.

Overall, it's an above average appearance for a malt liquor. I can't say I'm looking forward to trying it, but there aren't any egregious flaws.

Sm: Has a heavy malty and adjuncty sweetness. Loads of corn - mainly adjunct. Malt syrups/extract. Not as grainy as would be ideal. I also get some faint berry character - strawberry, I think. It's strange and artificial, but lends some needed complexity to an otherwise boring aroma. To its credit, there are no traces of the 9.9% ABV in the aroma. I also don't find any yeast character - or any really hop character - not even just a simple floral profile. The syrupy sweetness is off-putting, and I'm anticipating a sickly buttery texture, but this is far from the foulest malt liquor aroma I've come across.

Average strength.

T: The syrupy sweetness is certainly the core of the beer, but it isn't as offensive as anticipated. It's got some light graininess and could use more. Heavy corn adjunct is present alongside the aforementioned artificial strawberry note - which isn't doing the flavour profile any favors. I also get a cheap white wine character and some disgusting green apple notes. There's no real hop profile here.

To be fair, I will say that it hides its alcohol content pretty decently. But I can't say I like it; there's no complexity or subtlety here whatsoever. It's far from an intricate or gestalt build. Unbalanced as well.

Mf: Buttery, smooth, wet, and sticky. Overcarbonated as hell. Presence on the palate is abysmal; it's making me a bit ill. Has a bit too much weight, body and thickness for how little flavour there is; it's very filling. The texture doesn't seem well designed for this flavour profile. Execution is quite poor overall, but again I do think it's worth mentioning that it's not a hot or boozy brew, which is something of an accomplishment. That said, it's a pretty harsh mouthfeel overall.

Not astringent or gushed.

Dr: Not the worst malt liquor on the market, but far from the best. It's almost sickening, but I can't give it a lower rating than this because it isn't watery, and still tastes like beer. I'll be making a concerted effort to finish the entire can. It's not a sipper, but its low quality makes it tough to quaff and consuming it is making me feel terrible (especially in my stomach). ABV is hidden better than you'd expect. I wouldn't recommend this beer to anybody. Even just in this style and price range, there are better beers (and more widely available ones, for that matter). Stick to Steel Reserve for those nights when classy just doesn't cut it.

Reasonably atrocious.

D-
Jan 25, 2014
Stack 101 High Gravity Smooth Lager from United Brands Company
Beer rating: 58 out of 100 with 66 ratings