Hell's Black Intelligencer - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

brystmar

New York

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub the night before DLD '12!

Black body, lots of bubbles produce manila-colored head. Decent lace.

Incredibly pungent aroma of fresh coffee caresses the nostrils. Smells crazy good -- really reminds me of Bourbon County Coffee. Gotta visit Intelligentsia now...

Pretty damn flavorful for a regular oatmeal stout. Tons of coffee, roasted malt stouty goodness, caramel, other deliciousness. Could use more body for an oatmeal stout, but that's peanuts. This is an incredible beer that I wish they bottled.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2012 01:13:34 | More by brystmar

hooliganlife

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to Dan8181

pours a deep cola black with a creamy head. light retention.

lots of coffee, lots... lights sweet roasted malt.

coffee, lots of it. tastes like a cold espresso. light sweet roasted body backs up what is a coffee bomb. light citrus hops towards and through the finish.

moderate body with a light carbonation.

as a fan boy of intelligentsia coffee, i was eager to try this. did not let down. awesome coffee bomb.

Serving type: growler

11-04-2010 01:25:43 | More by hooliganlife

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Imbibed at the FFF Brewpub 10/29/2010. Served in a glass coffee mug.

Appearance -- Pours jet black with two fingers of sudsy khaki head. Not too shabby.

Smell -- Cafe macchiato, dark roast malt, faint toffee sweetness. The Intelligentsia coffee takes center stage for certain.

Taste -- Again, rich roast coffee is in the limelight. Tastes like the morning's first cup with a splash of cream and a dash of turbinado sugar, black patent malt, gentle oats, and baker's chocolate.

Mouthfeel -- Medium in body with medium-high prickly carbonation.

Drinkability -- The Floyd clan really hits the nail on the head with this coffee oatmeal stout. It leans hard on the coffee to accentuate the malt roastiness. Moreover less malt sweetness than in the usual oatmeal coffee stout. Robust, very well balanced - dare I say tempered? Not too much acrid roast/coffee grounds bitterness. One of the better coffee-centric beers I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2010 02:56:08 | More by yeahnatenelson

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: black, thick, persistent light brown head and full lacing.
S: good dark roasted coffee and dark chocolate mostly.
T: really well-balanced between the light/medium sweet dark bready/chocolatey/coffee malts and the roastiness (but not overly so) and smooth bitterness. kinda like a perfectly sweetened(for me-not too much) espresso.
M: well-carbonated but still rich and smooth. medium body.
D: nice that there is so much flavor in a 6% stout-drinks much bigger than it is. listed at 28 IBU. please bottle this-better than moloko, black sun, or alpha klaus.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2010 23:15:08 | More by MrMcGibblets

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was surprisingly tasty for 6%. Another win for FFF. Had on tap at the brewery.

The beer has a nice dark dark brown color, a small ring of off white head and a good looking body.

The smell has plenty of great fresh coffee brand with a nice chocolate malt base. Some nice hip esters float out as well, I know it's cliche but it reminds me strongly of Founders Breakfast Stout.

The taste is extremely balanced, a great blend of sweetness and lots of roast, with plenty of body. Lots of fresh coffee, a great grainy oatmeal malt base, and nice fudge notes. A little bit of bittersweet tastes in the finish.

Feel is good, nice body overall and well carbonated. Wish it was thicker.

Overall an excellent brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 21:17:56 | More by Dreadnaught33

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at DLD 2012, poured into a plastic cup, reviewed from notes.

A- Pours a super dark brown, verging on black, has a thin layer of creamy tan head.

S- Unbelievable coffee aroma, really delicious coffee beans and roasted grain, some chocolate, smells awesome.

T- Big blast of coffee beans, bitter and heavily roasted, a bit of char and then some bittersweet dark chocolate.

M- Medium-bodied, medium to low carbonation, feel is maybe slightly thin but I think it's fine.

O- An awesome coffee beer, FFF + Intelligentsia is definitely a winning combination.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 00:48:44 | More by WillCarrera

WeisGuy

New York

4.72/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the FFF brewpub on New Year's Day and was so impressed, got a growler to go.

Pours nearly pitch black with a one-finger tan head. Head retention is really good, as is lacing. The smell is unsurprisingly dominated by cold brewed, dark roast coffee and lighter notes of toasty malt and dark chocolate. Flavor is much the same with the delicious Intellegensia coffee taking center stage. The bitterness from the coffee is noticeably absent with only a beautifully smooth roasted bean flavor remaining. The toasty malt and dark chocolate notes provide nice depth along with some light dark fruit flavors that creep in on the finish. This is a whole lot more complex than many coffee stouts. The full-body is presumably assisted by the oatmeal. The finish is fairly dry, but not overly so, and the alcohol is almost non-existant. The drinkability is quite high due to the complex flavors and absence of intrusive bitterness and alcohol. Pretty much unquestionably the best oatmeal stout I've ever tried, and right there with the best coffee stouts I've had. As this was my first beer of 2011, I think it bodes well for the year.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 18:37:17 | More by WeisGuy

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed in an 8oz plastic cup during "destruction".

Pours a very dark, black coffee color with luxurious legs. An inch of tan head.

Nose is coffee on the fresh side, milk chocolate, more coffee grounds and roasty malts.

The taste has an awesome amount of fresh, roasted coffee beans, smooth milky chocolate, and roasted malt. Awesome, fresh coffee characteristics here.

Mouthfeel is medium on the lighter side with medium carbonation.

Overall, outstanding coffee beer that was totally worth it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2012 23:08:33 | More by ChugginOil

ChadQuest

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap @ Three Floyds, they serve this in a Coffee Mug, LOLs and smiles all around.
Hard to view in this light and in this glassware, but it is black with a tan head,but i probally could have guessed that before ordering.
The aroma and flavors are totally strong in the coffee dept, and this is one of the few beers where its done right, they started with good coffee roasted just over the border by a great roaster(intelligensia), and made sure it didn't come out like cardboard like most coffee beers, good stuff here, top 5 coffee beer out there.
Even more impressive is that they got the full round roasted flavors packed in here with such a low ABV! and kept everything in check, it's too often that non-Imperial coffee stouts go cardboard, not the case here.
Medium body and highly drinkable,somewhat creamy but with an almost dry stout feel to it.
Bottle this. please.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2010 05:39:45 | More by ChadQuest

sisuspeed

New Hampshire

4.68/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to spycow for the growler! Awesome stuff!

Pours pitch black with a thin tan head. Nice patchy lacing is left on the glass.

Mmm... so many coffee beans. The nose is amazing! Smooth, roasty, earthy coffee with vanilla and milk chocolate. I think this is the best smelling coffee stout I have ever come across. So balanced with no imperfections, excellent. Smells like a better version of a chilled espresso. I need to get some of the coffee they use.

The flavor is full of well roasted coffee, dark chocolate and the oatmeal comes through a bit. Dark malts with great coffee flavor. Tastes like there's a smooth shot of espresso in here. Nothing is burnt or metallic. A great balance between the coffee and the base beer.

The mouthfeel is smooth and slightly bitter with an excellent body for a 6% ABV stout. The oatmeal really helps to beef up the body a little bit and smooth things out.

Drinkability is exceptional. This is most likely the best coffee stout I have ever had and I think most of the tasting group I was with would agree. Great nose/flavor and only 6% ABV. This would give most imperial coffee beers a run for their money and the coffee aspect is actually better than any other imperial sized beers I've had with coffee. Way to go Three Floyds! I highly recommend seeking this out before its gone.

Serving type: growler

12-12-2010 20:51:11 | More by sisuspeed

jeonseh

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at FFF

A - Dark brown with a nice one finger frothy milk chocolate head. Looks rather thick

S - smells of toffee, dark chocolate, roasted malts, oatmeal and a hint of roasted espresso. A nice, complex nose.

T - Espresso is the main flavor I note at first. There is a roasted oatmeal smoothness to it with hints of dark chocolate. He finish is bitter espresso with a nice roasted malt finish. Overall, I found the flavor to be a bit lacking compared to the note.

MF - light body with light carbonation. I wish this was a bit thicker as I think it feels light for the rest of the beer and prevents the flavor from really shining

O - Another good offering from FFF. This has a great nose and looks great but the mouthfeel and lighter flavors really let's this one down and prevents it from being a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2012 22:17:29 | More by jeonseh

EricCioe

Montana

4.33/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at a FFF tap takeover at the University of Chicago Pub, 12 May 2011.

This pours totally black with little or no penetration, a two finger espresso crema head that dies down leaving nice chunky lace. On the nose there is an abundance of toasty oatmeal, roasted malt, and perhaps just a bit of lactose sugar, providing a nice counterpoint to the roasted aromas. There is also some coffee and just a hint of chocolate further back. In the mouth the oatmeal and coffee take over, there never being any doubt this is an oatmeal stout rather than coffee, but with the chocolate and coffee and maybe a little hint of lactose providing some nice backdrop to it all. The body is medium or just a touch fuller, making this a supremely easy drinking and yet full flavored oatmeal stout.

Overall, this is something I could easily drink on a regular basis and something I can recommend without hesitation to anyone who likes medium stouts, though this tastes and feels like a bigger one and drinks like a smaller one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 04:31:22 | More by EricCioe

abrand

Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap poured into a plastic cup.

Very dark pour with no visibility. A nice 1 finger head leaves some lacing. Smells is so rich with coffee. Very pleasant smelling. Some grains are also noted. Taste is again full of coffee. I loved this taste. Not much else really going on. Subtle notes of chocolate. Mouthfeel is somewhat full and well carbonated. Overall I loved this. So much coffee. Amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2012 01:41:21 | More by abrand

sliverX

New York

4.93/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from growler to glass, pitch black nice one finger mocha head faded down to a film and ring around the edge of the glass. Left decent lacing.
Smells like a fresh cup of dark roasted coffee, would expect no less.
Tastes like a cup of coffee, I'm thinking I may need to pick up some of the coffee from Intellegencia or whatever it is. Pick up a nice herbal/medicinal hoppiness that fits perfectly... Hmmm maybe float a couple hop cones in the morning joe..
Mouthfeel is medium to start but finishes light perfectly suits the brew
Drinkability damn... a 1/2 gallon won't just cut it, especially since my girlfriend (who is in no way a craft drinker) keeps taking my glass and trying to play keep away... I'll share
She was intrigued enough to ask where the brewery was so she could get more... I think when we make it to Chicago at some point we'll make a detour...

Serving type: growler

11-13-2010 03:23:32 | More by sliverX

Auracom

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Yes, very excited to see this back on the brewpub's tap list. 8 oz. served in a plastic cup on March 25th, 2012 during the FFF Deconstruction.

A - Exactly as remembered. Very deep black/brown coloring, probably the darkest FFF beer I've seen besides DL. One-finger, dark khaki head. Average retention and lacing.

S - Strong roasted espresso and coffee beans. Oatmeal flakes, almost a light lactose, a twinge of honey and vanilla as it warms.

T - Not quite an iced coffee in beer form, but it's about as huge on the espresso front as you could hope for. Very little sweetness throughout the drink. Lots of roasted malts morph into a bitter coffee finish at the back end.

M - High carbonation, not smooth. Surprisingly dry finish.

D - Effortless to drink this one and helps remedy my hatred for Chicago traffic at 2 p.m. on a Sunday. Revisiting would be a no-brainer, though it doesn't seem quite as robust in the coffee notes as I recall.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 21:58:32 | More by Auracom

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Three Floyds Brewpub, served in a 8 oz. plastic cup during the "Destruction" (expansion/remodel).

Pours darkest brown possible with about a one finger head (not easy to judge with plastic cups!). Strong espresso with chocolate and roasted malt accents on the nose. Just like the aroma, bold espresso floods the tastebuds, is quickly met by slightly sweet milk chocolate and finishes balanced with just a touch of roasted malt. Wonderful mouthfeel on this brew medium body, appropriate for an oatmeal stout, adequate carbonation lends to a creamy and satisfying beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2012 16:21:11 | More by chanokokoro

nkersten

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler shared by Chris at Halloween tasting, thanks! Pours a opaque hazy coffee brown/black with a small mocha head that disappears fast. Smell is pure espresso with a slightly sweet milk and chocolate malt in the background. Big coffee flavors up front, slightly sweet with lots of coffee grounds following and some bitterness. Somehow it is not overpowering for a coffee stout. Mouthfeel is heavy with mild carbonation, coating and creamy. This is one tasty coffee stout, hopefully they will decide to make it again.

Serving type: growler

11-04-2010 14:02:01 | More by nkersten

thetomG

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice black color with a small ring of tiny bubbles. Its pretty thin, but does leave some slightly syrupy traces around the glass as you swirl.

Aroma is a massive wave of dark roast coffee, with the flavor following almost identically, except there are a few slight notes of chocolate with the coffee flavors.

As I mentioned it is on the lighter bodied side of things, but also very very smooth and easy to drink. Really is remarkable how much it tastes like pure iced coffee. TRULY a fantastic beer if you're into these sorts of flavors... cannot wait until I get to try it again!

And here I thought coffee bender was going to be the closest beer to an iced coffee I'd ever try....

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2010 18:38:24 | More by thetomG

Agold

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got this beer at the three floyds event at the uchicago pub. Really great event. It pours the blackest of blacks, but there is absolutely no head on this. I was expecting a bit more especially from an oatmeal stout in terms of head. Aroma is outstanding. Great coffee mocha aromas dominate, and every once in a while a bit of citrus hoppiness pops up and says hello. The flavor is a great reflection, with overwhelming coffee and coco and roasted malts, and again, when you least expect it, that american citrus hop character makes its self known. Moutfeel was creamy, light and well carbonated. I never expected I would have a chance to try this beer, but I was really happy I did. It was definitely the highlight of the night.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 03:29:44 | More by Agold

klikger

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Growler pours courtesy of CaseyK - thanks again!

A - Black, not much head, good lacing

S - Pungent fresh roasted coffee - smells fantastic; a touch of oat

T - Rush of coffee to the dome --> roasted malts and oats --> bitter chocolate and espresso beans on the finish

M - Thin, even for an oatmeal stout, but decently carbonated

D - If you like coffee, this is very drinkable.

This is a fantastic beer. It's not complex (in terms of # of flavors), but the coffee notes are second to none. I am jealous of you who live close to 3Fs right about now...

Serving type: growler

11-18-2010 22:28:24 | More by klikger

Sideswipe

California

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad.

A- Deep mahogany in color with a whisp of tan foam floating atop the beer. Nice lacing.

S- Coffee and roasted malt in the nose.

T- Opens with coffee and chocolate flavors. Roasted malt follows with more chocolate evident in the finish. Aftertaste is a nice lingering roastiness.

M- Feel is thick and chewy. Very well done. Low level of carbonation lends a creamy texture.

O- A really nice oatmeal stout from FFF. Excellent coffee, chocolate and roasted malt flavors combined with a low ABV make this a very tasty, easy drinking beer. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 02:48:47 | More by Sideswipe

fear025

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Aroma:Tons of coffee in the nose. It smells like a cup of coffee, no beer.

Appearance:Black with very little head.

Taste:It's definitely coffee, but there's also dark chocolate, and roasty malts. It still has amazing coffee flavor.

Mouthfeel:It's a little watery, but very easy to drink.

Drinkability:This was quite a pleasure to drink, but I'm a big fan of coffee. This is a great mild coffee stout, but with none of the sourness you sometimes get with this style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 23:52:16 | More by fear025

beerhan

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I drink lots and lots of black coffee. This beer is more or less just coffee. It smells like coffee and tastes like it but goes down even smoother. No need to get into the details except that it is jet black, lightly carbonated and incredibly drinkable. Really wish they would bottle this and send it to ohio.

Serving type: growler

12-16-2010 03:56:44 | More by beerhan

Franz4

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brought back by a friend of mine on Sunday evening, drinking it 2 days later on Tuesday evening.

A- opaque, no light gets through this beer at all. Light tan head with heavy lacing throughout.

S- Smelled of coffee grinds and seemed very green, earthy.

T- Strong coffee presence, add a touch of hazelnut to it as well, although not overpowering at all.

M- Medium bodied with some average carbonation.

D- A nice beer that I'm glad I was able to try. Above average definitely, but if you add to the fact that it's difficult to acquire in this area, I'd say there are better beers to be had at FFF

Serving type: growler

12-08-2010 04:43:31 | More by Franz4

paulozanello

Brazil

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at the 3f brewpub in Munster IN.

This was served on a coffee mug/glass! Just the perfect glassware for this beer.

Pours a pitch black color with a mocha tan head that has nice retention.

Aroma is of tons of coffee, some malts and dark chocolate. Awesome.

Taste starts with a faint malt sweetness and a coffee explosion that is very overpowering. Finishes with a creamy chocolate note. Aftertaste is mildly bitter.

Body is medium/ high with high carbonation.

This beer is right there with the Founders Breakfast Stout as the best coffee beers available.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2010 19:14:19 | More by paulozanello