THE RIB WHISPERER at 3 STACKS, FRISCO

The League of Extra-Ordinary Reviewers invaded 3 Stacks BBQ and Tap House on Preston Road in Frisco.

  For this session, I invited a new collection of old friends. The group included Frisco's popular mayor, our county commissioner, a lady Associate Judge to keep everyone in line, and because of all the beer selections I included a respected beer judge. 

  My guest were so engaging as you will see, that I had to post the beer pairings separately.

Having a title like 'The Rib Whisperer' is a bold and challenging title. That is especially true in Texas! But Trace Arnold isn't foolin around. He is making his mark all over the country in his custom 80 ft. BBQ Emporium on wheels and on steroids.

There is a very logical reason for the 3 Stacks. While most BBQ is cooked in one massive smoker, it is very hard to moderate the temperature of different types of wood. Some cook much hotter, some smoke in different densities, and all the different cuts and kinds of meat require different timing and turning. The 3 separate systems allow Trace and his wranglers to control those important issues.

I'd usually have more to say, but Mayor Maso, Matt Shaheen, and Terri Green had more than enough to say. You'll find them to be entertaining and enlightening. Even though we were there to try some of everything, I had to fight for a rib.

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso (say that 3 times)

  It is always good to have a new business in Frisco and watch our community continue to grow.  I was especially excited to hear that 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House was opening in Frisco.  While opening a new restaurant in Frisco is not an uncommon occurrence,

  I knew that 3 stacks was going to be a great community partner when they quickly took action to help victims in West, Texas by being part of a relief effort.  I am always thankful for our community stakeholders to get involved and be part of making a difference.   That is why I was excited to be asked to be a “taste tester” for this article and to give my comments about the food there.

  Those who know me also know I really enjoy visiting our local restaurants and trying the many different menu items.   That led to the hardest part of being part of this review – the number of menu items! The food is displayed for your eye pleasure and if you are a lover of BBQ, the visual choices will almost be overwhelming.

3 Stacks, Not just Great BBQ

 
  For our recent tasting at Frisco's newest hot spot 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House I invited him to join my League of Extra-Ordinary Reviewers. I have included him before and he is always great company and to me, a respected opinion.
  So while I usually suggest that everyone drink water so they can taste the food, Richard is a respected Beer Judge. With 32 beers on tap as part of their name, someone has to do some pairing. Here's Richard! 

  As a BJCP beer judge and restaurant consultant, it was a pleasure to be invited to the tasting at 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House.  The food was excellent and the company was fun and funny. 

  We were guest of J.B. Blocker, the North Texas Reporter. Joining us were Frisco's Mayor Maher Maso, Collin County Commissioner Matt Shaheen, and Terri Green the current President of the Republican Women of Collin County.  With commentaries on the food by these three local favorites, I will simply use my space to detail what I think are the best meat and beer pairings currently available. 

  3 Stacks has 32 beers on tap and a few of those beers are specials and they won't always be available.  If my suggestion is not available, ask your server or bartender for a recommendation of similar style.

  While you may have a favorite beer, I urge you to compare and contrast these beer selections with your food (Texas beers are designated with *).  I also urge you to try the different sauce options to see what makes your palate happy.

Texas Beef Brisket: Alaskan Amber Ale or Franconia Dunkel*

Carolina Pulled Pork: Left Hand Milk Stout or Brooklyn Brown (Carolina barbecue sauce has vinegar in it. That is why I recommend big, soft, stout, round, and malty brown ales.)

Smoked Turkey or Smoked Chicken: Peticolas Golden Opportunity* or 312 Wheat

Hickory Sausage: Shiner Bock* or Franconia Kolsch*

Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage: St. Arnolds Pilsner* or Lagunitas IPA

Dry Pork Ribs: Peticolas Velvet Hammer* or Batch 19

Glazed Pork Ribs: Lakewood Lager* or Lagunitas IPA (Some people are wary of IPAs but this is a softer version than most.)

Beef Ribs: Firestone DBA or Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Beers with smoky notes such as Smoked Porters, Scottish Ales or Rauchbiers always play well with any barbecue pork or beef dish.

As always, your mileage may vary.

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962. Email: jbnorthtexas@gmail.com

COLLIN COUNTY OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY

13 Elected Officials take Oath of Office on Jan. 2

(McKINNEY, Texas) – More than a dozen newly and re-elected county officials will take the Oath of Office on the morning of Wednesday, January 2nd at 9:30 a.m. in the Central Jury Room of the Collin County Courthouse, 2100 Bloomdale Road. 
 

OFFICIALS TAKING OATH	ADMINISTERED BY
Honorable Angela Tucker 199th District Court	Honorable Cyndi Wheless
Honorable Ben Smith 380th District Court	Honorable Keith Self
Honorable Mark Rusch 401st District Court	Honorable John Roach Jr.
Honorable Chris Oldner 416th District Court	Honorable Curt Henderson
Honorable Chuck Ruckel* Justice of the Peace Pct. 3-1	Honorable Johnny Lewis
Honorable Matt Shaheen County Commissioner Pct. 1	Honorable Keith Self
Honorable Chris Hill* County Commissioner Pct. 3	Honorable Jill Willis
Honorable Terry Box County Sheriff	Honorable Corinne Mason
Honorable Andrea Stroh Thompson District Clerk	Honorable Jill Willis
Honorable Shane Williams* Constable Pct. 1	Honorable Ben Smith
Honorable Joe Barton Constable Pct. 2	J’Net Chambers
Honorable Sammy Knapp* Constable Pct. 3	Honorable Ben Smith
Honorable Joe Wright* Constable Pct. 4	Honorable Ben Smith

* Denotes newly elected county officeholder.

- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962.