2 O'Clock Tasting: 
Three Floyds Brewing (Part II)

Updated on March 30, 2016

The saga of our tour de Floyds continues with the second part of our 2 O’Clock Tasting. See what we tried from Three Floyds Brewing last time in our Part I post. Our lineup this time continues to feature the brewers’ unique and unorthodox beers, from a buttery Berliner Weisse to a sour cherry pie in a bottle to a special collaboration brew with Mikkeller. Like any good chef, the use of the finest ingredients is what really makes Three Floyds go above and beyond for their beers, striving to make ales and lagers that are different, flavorful and memorable. Having made a name for themselves in Munster, Indiana, the three Floyds (brothers Nick and Simon, and their father Mike) and their beer have become popular all over the U.S. in the craft beer community. They have continued expansion of their brewery and brewpub, where their shtick of producing eccentric brews that are “not normal” continues to reign with truth and has led to beer fans rejoicing and asking for their beers. We couldn’t get enough of what the Floyds have to offer, so we ended up trying a total of seven of their beers in between our two 2 O’Clock Tastings. If you’ve tried any of these beers in either our first tasting or this one, tell us what you think in the comments below!

1. Deesko!

   6.5% ABV

   This Berliner style Weissbier is a type of beer that used to reign with popularity in Berlin, and has experienced a sort of renaissance here in the U.S. Traditionally lower in alcohol, Deesko! ranks in at 6.5% ABV. With the color of a candied lemon peel and the aroma of sour goat’s milk yogurt on the nose, this beer actually goes down like a buttery chardonnay. There’s a bit of a biscuit flavor and a hint of a metallic flavor on the palate; overall not too tart and a solid Berliner Weisse.

2. Skull'Ole

   8.0% ABV

   This American sour pours a dark, muddy color, like a Turkish coffee, with a tinge of red. It smells like a sour cherry pie in a bottle, and additional aromas similar to a sweet Manhattan cocktail. After taking a sip, we were puckering our mouths from the tart cherry taste that attacks the tongue – It is reminiscent of sour candies of our youth. Definitely a memorable and fruity sour that holds true to the Three Floyds motto of producing beers that are “not normal.”

3. Cimmerian Sabertooth Berzerker

   9.0% ABV

   Three Floyds dabbles into fictional and mystical history with inspiration from the Hyborian Age for this brew. It is believed that warriors would end a victorious battle with a celebratory drink from a horn, and that drink just might very well be this Cimmerian Sabertooth Berzerker. It has a hazy orange glow and savory scents of onion, as well as a bit of orange zest and an unmistakable hops aroma. With 100 IBUs, it’s no wonder those delightful flowers come through on the nose, and come out as piney spruce tips on the palate. It’s almost a bit sticky on the tongue with a subtle resemblance of orange marmalade.

4. War Pigs Black Flame (Made in conjunction with Mikkeller)

   12.0% ABV

   We were lucky enough to snag this limited edition beer, brewed only once as a collaboration between Three Floyds and Mikkeller. According to Three Floyds’s website, “it takes a true beer lover to stray from the norm and experience real flavor. If you can’t handle the black flame, you can’t handle adventure.” Sign us up! At an almighty 12% ABV, we were ready to embark on said adventure. The Black Flame pours a syrupy, dark brown and smells like dates and prunes, with a roasted character, like a fire was just put out (from a black flame). The taste was syrupy sweet, and thick like molasses or coffee ice cream. The finish was a bit bitter and even more potent, lingering like a bit of burnt sugar on the tongue.

---