Brewery of the Month – October 2023
Thomas Pankratz
Welcome Three Floyds to North Dakota! One of the fastest growing breweries in the United States, we are extremely excited to have Three Floyds at all Happy Harry’s locations. Starting in 1996, this Indiana based brewery is breaking all the rules and is getting people excited about craft beer all over again. 3 Floyds Brewing Company was founded by three members of the Floyd Family and has made a name for itself over the past 27 years with extreme beers that rarely use extreme ingredients. Each year, Rate Beer releases a list of the best breweries in the world as ranked by fan reviews on its website. In 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, 3 Floyds earned the top spot on that list. In the years since, 3 Floyds has regularly appeared on consumers list: Untapped, 3 Floyds Ranks in the top 20 regional breweries in the US. And its Zombie Dust IPA stands as on of the top-rated beers on Beer Advocate, at No. 36 out of 250, with over 10,000 ratings. It’s safe to say people really like 3 Floyds.
When 3 Floyds Brewing first opened in 1996, it operated out of an old auto garage. According to Nick Floyd, 5000 square free cost him $500 per month in rent. That’s why they opened the brewery in a small town 30 miles outside of Chicago. Nick Floyd, who had attended Siebel Institute in Chicago to learn how to brew, launched the brewery with his father, Mike, and brother, Simon. Their First beers were brewed on a system they describe as “Frankenstein.” It combined a Canfield’s cola tank with wok burners and Swiss cheese fermenters salvaged from a scrapyard in Wisconsin. Needless to say, they made the best beer from what they could find and innovated the rest. That fly by the seat of their pants and adapt and overcome mentality has done them well and helped develop 3 Floyds into Indiana’s biggest brewery.
3 Floyds has some of the coolest graphics I have seen come through Happy Harry’s. Each graphic has been created by local artists credited on the brewery’s website. Heavy metal and fantasy themes weave through everything the brewery does. From the design on the cans, which feature armored humanoids, crowned skulls, and other menacing scenes, perfect for your Halloween parties, to the brewing and even the events hosted at the brewery, the heavy metal influence is very apparent. Nick Floyd, along with the staff are heavy into the heavy metal scene. They listen to bands like Slayer and Black Sabbath while they brew. Even the fermentation tanks at 3 Floyds have some flare with names like “Blood Gorgon” from the miniature war game, Warhammer 40,000 and “Prometheus” inspired by Ridley Scott’s movie. The Tank named C-5 even features an illustration of Conan the Barbarian’s sword.
I have liked every beer I have tried so far from 3 Floyds. But one stands out in my mind. I love a well-balanced beer with just enough hops to keep my palate from falling asleep. Zombie Dust fits the bill. A Citra hop bite is just what the doctor ordered. When it first arrived in 2010, Zombie Dust offered something beer geeks weren’t entirely familiar with yet. Citra hops had just burst on the scene. The beer, a single hop pale ale that featured both the fruity and bitter qualities of Citra, took advantage of a brand-new hop. Citra only become commercially available to breweries in 2007 and prior to Zombie Dust, no one had really used it to its full potential. What they created was a fantastically well-balanced crushable beer! Highly recommended!
In closing, I am extremely excited to let everyone know that 3 Floyds has arrived in North Dakota, and everyone should give them a try the next time they stop by their local watering hole. Hope to see you soon! Cheers
Zombie Dust Pale Ale
This intensely hopped and gushing undead Pale Ale will be one’s only respite after the zombie apocalypse. Created with our marvelous friends in the comic industry. The smell is crisp citric and earth hops, pale malt, light toast. Taste is hop forward – notes of citrus, earth, light pine, pale malt and lighter caramel and toast, some herbal qualities emerge with warmth. Mouthfeel is moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, moderate bitterness.
ABV 6.5% IBU 62
Zombie Ice Double Pale Ale
Crafted with an unholy amount of Citra hops, this undead double pale ale heralds the zombie evolution after the dust has settled from the apocalypse. The smell is pine, grapefruit, and citrus. An assertive toasted malty character mingles in with the hops. Taste like it smells, pine resin, grapefruit, and citrus flavors. A big bready and toasted malt character that gives a substantial sweetness. A little lingering bitterness. Mouth feel is a full body and moderate carbonation, not very crisp and drier bite. Likeable and easy to drink for the style. The alcohol is well hidden.
ABV 8.5% IBU 55
Gum-Ball-Head Wheat
An American Wheat Pale Ale brewed with white wheat and dry hopped with hand-selected hops from the Yakima Valley. Showcasing Amarillo hops, Gumball Head is bright and refreshing with wonderful grapefruit and peach aromatics and a lemony finish. Smells of pineapple, citrus and tropical with hints of apple. Tastes floral with passion fruit, bright orange blossom, hints of berries, lightly rich with a quick fade of flavors. Gently crisp medium to light body with a wet medium length finish. Smooth overall.
ABV 5.6% IBU 38
