There’s something special about the start of summer—the days stretch a little longer, the sunlight hits just right, and every cold pint seems to taste a little better. At Blackbird Brewery, we’re soaking it all in and kicking off the season in the best way we know how: with bold brews, community connection, and a whole lot of puppy love.
This week, we’re celebrating two things that are close to our hearts: the recognition of a beer we’ve poured countless hours (and hops) into, and a laid-back weekend event that brings people and pets together for a great cause. From award-winning brews to adoptable pups, it’s shaping up to be a week full of flavor, fun, and feel-good moments worth raising a glass to.
Big Trees Scores Big
First, we’re thrilled to share that our Big Trees Celebration-Style IPA has once again landed in the spotlight—this time in the Summer 2025 edition of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, scoring an impressive 86 in their IPA on the World Stage review. This marks the second time Big Trees has been recognized in the IPA category, and we’re honored to be featured alongside some of the top breweries in the country.
Big Trees is our homage to a cult-classic IPA—one that helped define a generation of craft beer. Inspired by a legendary beer brewed for over 40 years by one of the true pioneers of American craft brewing, this red-hued IPA leans into a nostalgic, old-school bitterness that’s bold, bracing, and beautifully balanced.
What makes Big Trees truly special is the dry hop: we use freshly harvested whole cone Cascade hops, packed into the tank by hand. It takes a full hour to load them in and another hour to pull them back out—a labor-intensive, sticky, and slightly absurd ritual that makes this beer what it is. It’s a pain, no doubt—but that’s the only way to get that deep, resinous character and unmistakable citrus-pine aroma that defines the style.
Big Trees is typically brewed with winter in mind (so it’s not currently on tap), but it’s a flavor bomb worth celebrating any time of year.
Pints & Paws: Sunday, June 1st (1-4 PM)
This Sunday, we’re teaming up with the incredible folks at Cause for Paws for a feel-good event that pairs great beer with even better company—Pints & Paws.
Come hang with us at the brewery for an afternoon full of wagging tails, sunshine, and community vibes. Whether you’re looking to adopt, make a donation, or just sip a pint and cuddle a pup, it will be a blast. There’s no pressure to adopt—just plenty of friendly faces, cold beer, and the chance to support a great cause.
Cause for Paws is a local nonprofit doing amazing work to rescue, foster, and rehome pets throughout the Triangle. They also run thrift stores and community outreach programs, giving animals the second chance they deserve.
And a quick heads-up: we’ll be opening at 1:00 PM on Sunday June 1st (an hour later than usual) so we can kick off the Pints & Paws event right when the doors open.
See You Soon
From beer fans to dog lovers, there’s a lot to celebrate this week. Whether you’re raising a toast to Big Trees or heading our way for a tail-wagging good time, we can’t wait to see you.
Cheers to bold brews, good dogs, and a summer full of great company.
