Expect the Expected and Unexpected When Visiting Three Floyds Brewery for the First Time

As a resident of Indiana, a craft beer fan, and one who prides himself on trying as many new beers as possible, (especially those locally brewed in the Hoosier state), it pains me to admit…I was unfamiliar with 3 Floyds as recently as just 6 months ago.

Fast forward to the present when there’s Gumballhead or Zombie Dust in my refrigerator on any given day, with my wife respectfully asking me if she can have one before just helping herself.  (That’s love, ladies & gentlemen.)

So, when the opportunity recently presented itself, my wife and I made the 6-hour round trip drive to check out the brewery/brewpub for ourselves.  After all, there are only so many 3 Floyds’ beers we can get in central Indiana.

I’m not quite sure what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t a 30 minute wait just to purchase carry out six-packs and bombers.  But, like they say, all good things come to those who wait.  As I stood in line, I overheard multiple conversations regarding what unique or rare beers people had recently enjoyed.  I’d imagine this provided a very small glimpse into the interactions and conversations one could expect to experience at Dark Lord Day.  About 10 minutes into the line, our table was ready — and this guy (me), post-3 hour drive, was ready for some pints!  So, I bailed on the long line and headed for the brewpub.

My first selection was the Yum Yum - eloquently named for how delicious it is.  Or, as the beer menu stated: “This Pale Ale has just the right malt backbone to support an explosive juicy hop profile. Derived from a new blend of proprietary hops.”  After one sip, I agreed. My wife opted for Jinx Proof, their collaboration with Jinx Proof tattoo in Washington, D.C. – in which I coerced her to give me a taste.  Equally delicious.

Finally at peace, with a beer in hand, I looked around to attempt to soak in the scene around me. Interesting decor: Check.  Artwork with their bottle-art characters above tap handles: Check.  Lots of tattoos: Check.  Filled to capacity: Check.  Friendly conversation: Check.  One thing I was surprised to learn was how 3 Floyds Brewpub doesn’t look like your typical English or Irish pub — but it does have a present day “public house” vibe to it.

While these may seem small, here are just a couple of things paramount in helping to define what makes 3 Floyds who they are:

1. Each and every beer is served in a specific type of glassware, appropriate to the style of beer you’re drinking.  The type of glass is chosen by their brewmaster to best accentuate the aromas and flavors.
2. Many of their beers are served in Imperial Pints (20 oz.), as opposed to those wimpy American 16 oz. pints.

Simply stated:  They put an incredible amount of pride into their product.  And it shows with every pint they deliver to your table.

Though we were 3 hours from home, we weren’t in a hurry.  We ordered up another round and some chicken wings as we waited for my sister-in-law and her boyfriend to meet us.  Wanting to check off another I hadn’t tried before, I went with the Man-O-Awe, a Pale Ale brewed exclusively with hops from Michigan.  As Mr. Obvious would proclaim, “These guys really know how to use their hops.”

As the night progressed, the four of us enjoyed our meals and simply became part of the congenial pub atmosphere.  Personally, I went with some fries, along side a hefty 3 Floyds Burger.  Evil Power, their European-style Pilsner, paired nicely and helped me wash it all down.  

For dessert, I opted for… well, one last beer.  Knowing the evening was coming to an end, I had to make this final selection count.  I decided on one of their double IPAs - Apocalypse Cow, which has an intense citrus and floral hop aroma balanced by a velvety malt body (which has been augmented with lactose milk sugar).

By 8:30pm central time, the “Beers to Go” line had finally thinned out.  However, by that time, on the door was a sign that no 3 Floyds fan ever wants to see - “No Zombie Dust”.  I turned a lemon into lemonade by using the opportunity to instead continue my quest towards trying some new beers.  My haul included:

• Robert the Bruce - A full-bodied Scottish-style Ale
• Gorch Fock - A light-golden-colored Franconian-style Helles Lager
• Dreadnaught - An Imperial India Pale Ale
• Jinx Proof  - (after all, I only got a sip of my wife’s at dinner)

Shortly after leaving the brewery, my wife graciously pulled into a local liquor store for one last ditched effort to find some Gumballhead and Zombie Dust.  Karma was clearly on my side, as they were restocking the shelves with both.  The gentleman even stated, “Boy, you’re in luck, it’s not normal for us to have much Zombie Dust anymore.”

“It’s not normal,” I replied. “But then again, neither is Three Floyds.”

The gentleman just shook his head in agreement.