Thursday 27th of October 2016 02:09:08 PM

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Traveling the US of A has some advantages and dis-advantages.

Unknown hotel rooms and their "quirks" -- suspect restaurants that advertise gaily their dishes with glowing adjectives only to be served the same omelets, burgers, etc. -- roads that your trusty GPS instructs you to travel only to find yourself in the middle of a corn field with not a silo in sight.

Advantages?

Well, when you're goal is to visit as many "under-rated" breweries as possible (and most popular), that can soften considerably the quest to escape that deserted field of corn.

In Indiana, we stayed outside Chicago in Matteson only to spend the better part of the afternoon at 3 Floyds brewing, home of the elusive Dark Lord, a Russian Imperial only to be had 1 day of the year in April.

This being October, there was no chance in hell of acquiring a bottle; still the brewery has an excellent reputation and wife Persimmon & I were not about to pass by.

Packed at 2:00 in the afternoon, we were still able to sample several delicious brews and grab a good bite of food before returning the the suburbs 10 miles away & get back on the road again (Hmmm...good song title!)

Even so, we sampled Robert the Bruce (Scottish), Space Station Middle Finger, Zombie Dust and Crack the Skye, a Russian Imperial that, if it is any indicator of Dark Lord, then the brewers have a winning formula to tweak in a variety of ways. This is quite the bold brew that attacks the palate and throat with chocolate, vanilla, molasses, caramel and the right balance of bitterness (almost non-existent) on the swallow.

Our waiter told us that because of inclimate weather the last few years, "Dark Lord Day" may be moved up to May in years to come. Still buying a ticket to stand for hours in line along with 6000 of my closest friends is questionable. There must be another way...and the hunt is on!

3 Floyds is just one of several in Indiana but it's reputation keeps bringing the folks back for taste after taste.

For as long as we're on the road, it will have a big green dot on my USA map...for "absolutely returning."

Tuesday 1st of January 2013 04:12:44 PM

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Three Floyds is located in an industrial park off the beaten path, but the unique nature of the brewery makes it worth the trip. I went early on a week day, so it wasn't as crowded as it would be at peak times. We tried a couple appetizers - the scotch eggs were tasty.

As for the beer, it was top quality. The Scottish Ale (Robert the Bruce) and the English IPA (Black Heart) were both great.

Friday 17th of February 2012 02:38:07 PM

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I used to frequent this spot to watch the old movies flickering from the projector, eat delicious food, and drink amazing beer. Now it's gotten too cool for me. The beers are still absolutely amazing, it's just not an everyday hang out anymore.

The food is okay, but I think it used to be better. They try to have a unique menu to go with their unique beers. Sometimes the food is great, sometimes not so much. This last time I ended up with stale bread on my weak chicken sandwich with a side of tortilla chips that had a Doritos quality to them.

Be ready for a wait, even early on a Thursday evening or at 3:00 on a Sunday.

People complain that the service is bad. When I used to go, the service at the bar was perfect for me. I guess, with the crowds they have it's hard to have personal service in the main seating area.

Friday 20th of January 2012 02:18:08 PM

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Three Floyds' is hidden inside an industrial park and hard to locate even with a GPS. My wife and I arrived to see the Munster water tower in the background of the building. On the outside of the main entrance, I noticed a new garden with a vine I recognized growing up the walls. Hops!!! I grow my own to I noticed them as soon as I got out of the car. Enough with the outside then on the inside is bright and colorful with various posters and figurines and wild weirdness.

The food menu had plenty of eccentric touches too. Scotch eggs to organic greens surrounded semi-normal pub food. House-made sausage and produce grown in the back yard make the menu in various forms. We had come for a burger and a brew but their menu’s were on the different taste than ours and really pricy of lunch. We opted for a pint each and enjoyed them and left.

Three Floyds has their standard lineup on tap. Then, throw in a couple pub only beers and multiple guest taps to top things off. Also,selling their bombers and sixers of their products is nice too. Reminds me of hanging out a college bar... very beat up looking, couches in one section few tables and a nice bar area... Looks like it would get loud at night.
Alright place. One and done with FFF.

Saturday 29th of January 2011 03:05:56 AM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

Horrible service, incredibly rude management. I was out to eat with my girlfriend and was immediately rudely scolded for accidently getting in a server's way within 5 seconds of entering the bar. I didn't think the service could possibly get any worse after finallly getting our food.....it did. Next I witnessed an extremely rude manager with a bald head kick a family of 20+ people (that had clearly just come from a funeral or wake) out of the restaraunt because 5 of them moved from a table near us to an empty table nearer to the rest of their family. The manager with the bald head misunderstood the situation and brought them their checks before they had even recieved all of their food, demanding that they pay and leave. He was extremely rude and insulting to this poor family to the point that all 20-something of them got up and left without paying. After my awful experience and what I witnessed here, I will no longer be buying Three Floyd's beer and I will certainly never go to their restaraunt again. I will also recommend to everyone that I know in Munster and the region to do the same. Harvey

Monday 24th of January 2011 07:37:25 PM

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This place is one of the reasons why I continue to hang out in the crazy circles of craft beer. I really think that Robert the Bruce was talking to me.

This is a great place. It is very eclectic and off the beaten path which makes it even more intriguing.

Their beers are always delicious and if it weren't for their interior design, I might even call them a gastropub. That food they have is outstanding and very creative. However, their fries are my favorite.

I highly recommend a visit...

Friday 4th of June 2010 10:27:39 PM

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6/08
I've been here several times under various circumstances, most recently this past weekend. It was a busy friday night, the lot was packed, but we got in and found a table right away. After 10pm it seemed to clear out. They had a movie or film show projected on one wall.

We had appetizers and the homemade dessert special, which was strawberry rhubarb cobbler. Mad Anthony IPA was a guest draft, along with that I sampled a Dreadnaught in a 10oz. for $4. There were a few pub-only drafts, which are worth a trip alone.

Our server Sophie was really friendly and knowledgeable about the beers. We got a couple Gumballhead growlers to go, and also bottles of their latest small batch, Blackheart IPA.

Monday 23rd of March 2009 09:39:50 PM

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Three Floyds' industrial park exterior hides a weird, wonderful interior. Inside is bright and colorful with various posters and figurines and wild weirdness. We were greeted with Wall E on video and heavy metal over the stereo.

The food menu had plenty of eccentric touches too. Scotch eggs to organic greens surrounded semi-normal pub food. House-made sausage and produce grown in the back yard make the menu in various forms.

Three Floyds has there standard lineup on tap. Then, throw in a couple pub only beers and multiple guest taps to top things off. How good is that? The servers know the beer, and obviously are passionate about it.

Great place. Well worth visiting.

Sunday 1st of March 2009 01:11:05 PM

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As other reports have noted, Three Floyds (or FFF) is a popular stop on Saturdays right after opening at noon Central time (yep, Central). The bar was already full, so we found one of two remaining tables in the "dining" room, with a nice window view of the brewhouse. The atmosphere is so-so, and feels like a bit of an afterthought. None of the patrons, including us seemed to mind. Our server, "Greg" rocked! Greg had complete command of a very busy room, taking orders and serving them promptly & correctly from memory. He was knowledgeable in the beer selection, and was able to recommend food pairings as well. Beer-wise, FFF has achieved cult status and a huge following. If you are within an hour or so--make the trek. However, the Great Lakes region has a lot of other good choices, so I wouldn't personally make a pilgrimage. We sampled the Alpha King, Pride & Joy, Robert The Bruce & Gumballhead. All were fine, tasty examples of their genre. We took home a growler (new fills in their glass only) of the Pride & Joy, and some fun 22oz bottles as well.

Monday 16th of February 2009 12:05:45 PM

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As the other reviews tell you about its location I won't. Funny thing is I lived near this place for 9+ years and never went. I moved farther away and I finally went there two weeks ago...

Reminds me of hanging out a college bar... very beat up looking, couches in one section few tables and a nice bar area... Looks like it would get loud at night. I went right when they opened and the bar tender knew his stuff. Nice selection of taps house and guest. Nice bottle list as well.

Selling there bombers and sixers of there products is nice to, I had lunch and the food was food. Fries reminded of east coast fries I would get out on the boardwalks of NJ or MD.

Its worth a stop and certainly worth a repeat visit.

Wednesday 18th of July 2007 11:54:34 PM

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Yes, I admit that this was a place I was not going back to and I did go there with certain amount of reluctance.
I can only say that I had a blast. I was with a group of six friends and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I'm pretty sure we all did.
The bar is as spectacular as everyone else will tell you it is. The staff knows their beers and the guest taps and the bottles as good as anyone else anywhere.
I am man enough to admit that I may have been wrong about this place. Maybe I consider it to be too local for me to go to with any regularity. I don't know.
The beers were spectacular as always. I enjoyed the Tenth Annivervary, Moloko, Admiral Lord Nelson, Romulus and Remus and something they claim was made by insane robots.
This time the Buffalo Calimari was crazy hot, too hot for me to actually taste the scallops on zucchini that we ordered as an appetizer.
We did have the pizza for the first time and I was actually impressed by the crisp cracker crust.
I owe these folks an apology and a more frequent visit.

Saturday 14th of July 2007 08:47:12 AM

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I get here every six weeks or so. Amazing beers -- their regulars, seasonals, and things done just for the brew pub. Usually 8-10 brews. Plus, an equal or greater number of guest taps -- heavy on Belgians, German, local IN brews, and Stone products.

Food is outstanding -- they're foodies, doing great stuff, grow their own herbs. Excellent sandwiches, soups, frites, pizzas.

Atmosphere -- well, I'm used to it, and the stuff they put on the walls has gathered a patina. Pretty wood bar, couches, but... you know you're in a room off the brewery. The malt smell helps, though!

Service runs the gamut -- some bartenders and servers are fantastic and friendly, some are surly as all get out. They're all knowledgable. Weirdly, the owner tends to be on the surlier side of things when dealing with the public.

In the end, fantastic brew and food easily wins out over the chance you may be treated rudely.

Friday 25th of May 2007 01:23:59 PM

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Update 07/01/08 No big change except service has dropped off. I reduced the score.

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Not too far off of the interstate, Three Floyds is easy to find… just keep in mind the place is in an industrial park. The building could be a computer warehouse or a small manufacturing company.

When you enter, just to the left, there’s a chalkboard with beer and food specials. They had mussels when we went and they were two steps past incredible. The rest of the food was superb and the prices were reasonable.

The beer-Gosh, unbelievable. I was happier than John Edwards in a beauty shop. :o) Plenty FFF stuff on tap, to carry away and several guest beers.

The place is so great, we squeezed two visits into our limited time in the area.

Wednesday 16th of May 2007 01:13:04 AM

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Going back to the floyds for the first time on beermapping... being able to rereview these places is a blast... everything old is really new again...

The beer selection was great being that I hadn't been to the floyds in a dogs age... Having 4 beers I have never had before enamors me to this place quite a bit... I'd been for DLD, but that doesn't count if you saw any of the pictures... and previously all I had was the slave princess, the small beer of the DL... but anyway... tonight was the hyena (best beer of the night never had before... but closely followed by the deuce which I thought gave new glarus a run for their money... floyds was betterer sorry dan....) they had a red (replicale) and the arcangel maibock which I didn't care for as much and a revisit to the gumballhead which was knock the socks off fanfreakintastick.... plus the AK, P&J, Robdabruce, and other standards.... the founders imperial stout was a nice guest tap, plus they had a very nice guze on tap which I had but a sample of but bittered me to the core.... Overall a fantastic beer selection yet again...

Savoring my beer and sitting in the area off the bar on the couches in the back gave me time to appreciate the atomsphere. It used to be sparse, but things have started to grow in the floyds taproom and the original gumballhead art pieces stood out as well as the flags hanging from the ceiling... You have the three sets of couches and various tables and such plus the 18ish person bar they have in there... originally I thought this place too small for it's britches, but just like a fat person who expands their jeans as they get fatter, this place seems to have lost it's new shoe discomfort and has formed into a very comfy and relaxed place to drink a pint... Take the time to examine the walls and the rafters for random things, art and stuff... the place tends to hide it's character in corners that are yet to be discovered...

the service was decent but there wasn't a familiar face there to greet me... and that's not a bad thing, but I was sorta sad... for a tuesday night, life was pretty good.

Like the beerinator... the royal with cheeze is sort of a standby (as it is tasty) if I eat here (as I did this evening...) but normally I get their cone of fries to absorb the mind altering beer.

They were serving a standards sampler of AK P&joy Robdabruce and gumballhead on a sampler paddle.... and they had short pours of the standards as well.... something I didn't remember from the last time... I wish the warehouse was more open... love that place...

There were barrels of aged beer you could see thru the warehouse window... a cherry behemoth, a vanilla bean darklord, and 4 others....

there'll be good times to be had at the floyds....

Sunday 29th of April 2007 06:14:35 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

When I first walked in my first thought was "State of the Art". It's all brand new and pretty boss looking. There's beer swag litering the walls along with art you may have seen on the bottles of FFF beer. When I went for Dark Lord Day there was a sculpture that looked like it was made of brass or bronze of The Alpha King. There's some nice looking couches to the left when you first walk into the brewpub. There's a lot of cool restaurant kind of seating to the far right where you get to see the brewery in motion (if they're brewing). There's some cool FFF stuff on display there too. There's even a piece of wall that separates the bar/TVs from the restaurant part. There's at least 3 TVs on the walls. Their tap selection is always good with 3 or 4 guest taps that are mostly imports and just a truck-load of their own beers on tap at any time. The servers are pretty nice, a little stressed out at Dark Lord Day I think, but they were busy.

Monday 19th of March 2007 08:29:17 AM

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Three Floyds Brewpub is back in an industrial park where you would think no one would find them. You would think that they would be empty most of the time and they wouldn't get much business. You would be wrong.

The bar has about 12 to 15 bar stools and they're usually full. Our trips to Three Floyds have occurred mostly on Saturdays at lunch. We like to sit at the bar and we have usually had the opportunity to, but the bar is usually full soon after we arrive. They usually have 10 or 11 of their own beers available and 6 or more guest taps.

They do not sell all of their beers in growlers (just the three mainstays), but they do sell bottles of their 22 ounced seasonals if you wanted to buy some "to-go" beers.

The menu has steadily grown since our first visit. But luckily the food quality has not changed at all. The Royale with Cheese is what I usually order, but everything else that we've had has been good as well. The service is always friendly and consistent.

Three Floyds Brewpub is a no brainer if you're in the area. It's a bit of a trek from Chicago, now that the Dan Ryan is under such heavy construction, but it is well worth the trip.