Zombie Dust - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

UncleBart91

Indiana

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

No other APA like it out there . Ordered on draft at Sonka's pub in Terre Haute, IN. I heard from a few different sources though, that this beer has been completely sold out in TH and the brewery ran out of ZB ingredients for the year. I guess I'll have to wait til next year :( FFF does it again with a top quality beer. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2013 21:03:10 | More by UncleBart91

magictacosinus

California

4.71/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

While it was impossible to find even a single bottle of this during DLD weekend in Chicago, I was glad that they were tapping this all day at the brewery. It definitely made waiting in line far more pleasant! Poured into a 16oz plastic pint cup.

Pours an orange-amber color complete with a strong dose of carbonation and a creamy, frothy looking head at the top. Despite its low ABV, it's surprisingly viscous and thickened with each swirl, almost to the point where the hop resin oils are revealing themselves already at this point. Lacing is enormous on this thing, and the fact that foam is sticking around the plastic so well as here is both amusing and pretty awesome. Not too many bubbles stick around, although each sip is definitely followed by a large geyser of them as they crawl to the top and maintain the head going. The head in particular never dies down. Honestly, I can't really find any flaws here. The appearance is nice and typical to these types of beers but the oily look is gnarly enough to give this a perfect passing.

The aroma is quite different too, especially in terms of APAs - although I admit I'm quite new to all of these Citra single hop focused beers in recent years. However, if any beer is at the forefront in displaying this hop, it's this one. Getting a breeze of orange grove notes, as well as limes, freshly mown grass, pungent yet vibrant earthiness, and tons of other flavors (although I think they're subtle). Pineapples, pine, maybe a little bit of other tropical fruits abound, but it's not explosive by any means. Nevertheless, it's phenomenally pleasant in the same way other world-class hoppy beers (Pliny, 2 Hearted, etc) are. The pungency of the fresh, oily hop character is quite fantastic here. I must mention, rather than ramble about hops for the next paragraph, that the malts provide an excellent backbone towards balance here, with light caramel that integrates the earthy, citrus notes very well. Very good stuff.

The flavor really opens up whatever was going on in the aroma, to successful results. The citrus character immediately gets at the tip of the tongue, combined with juicy, malty characteristics that envelop a full bodied fruit experience. There's a pungent, earthy backbone here that compliments the hoppy, floral, slightly grassy flavor, which is is more accentuated with the constant burst of bubbles that carry forward all of these nuances. Passion fruit, apricots, limes, and soured apples come and go, according to my notes (this changes throughout consumption). The finish contains a lingering astringency that is very much like an IPA, except far more mellow with the extra grainy and malty body, as well as less ABV. Strangely, this spicy, bittered sensation does not make the palate salivate, although it does make it crave the beer every time more. Alcohol is nowhere to be found. This is so easy to drink I think I finished all 16oz in 20 or so minutes.

Lives every bit up to the hype. This is a world class APA, but also one that sets new standards to the style, and perhaps all hop focused beers in general that are yet to be crafted. This beer is the opposite of most FFF beers, and the key difference is subtlety. The nuances change over time but never in a way that makes the beer more unpleasant to drink. It's pretty impressive what the Citra hops have to offer here, especially on their own. What appeals to me the most about this is how much it resembles a rustic, fresh homebrew of sorts. I had it the next day at a bar in town, and while it was substantially less fresh, with more muted characteristics, the oily, earthy flavor was still spot on. Great stuff - wish I could have brought some back with me to save up for the zombie apocalypse!

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2013 04:52:27 | More by magictacosinus

DCStarns

Indiana

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tried this for the first time at Craft Beer Fest in Bloomington, IN last weekend. Got the last serving they had. Was a wonderful beer. The color and aroma drew me to this beer. Am now a fan of 3 Floyd's Brewery. Heard this is a hard beer to find and have found that to be very true.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 15:56:49 | More by DCStarns

Damian

Massachusetts

4.84/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Drank on-tap at Lord Hobo, Cambridge, MA
Served in a cervoise

The beer poured a nearly crystal clear, golden-amber. A tight, creamy, one-finger crown of tan colored foam topped the liquid. Small patches of thick, drippy lacing coated the glass and lasted long after the beer was finished.

The aroma was perhaps the most amazingly hoppy and fragrant I have experienced in a beer. A cornucopia of tropical fruit notes jumped out of the glass. Tons of mango, papaya and passion fruit. Loads of pineapple. Some peach and apricot as well. Super complex and exotic. Exceptionally smooth.

The flavor profile was just as stellar as the nose. Intense tropical fruit notes dominated the front end. Mango, pineapple and papaya came through strongest. Juicy tangerine and candied orange peel notes appeared mid palate. Touch of honey. Ruby red grapefruit rounded out the finish. Just slightly pithy and bitter. Hints of pine resin were noticeable as well. Overall, amazingly well balanced.

The mouthfeel was commendable. Medium bodied for the style with a fine, moderate effervescence. Slick and somewhat creamy on the palate.

Calling this beer a "pale ale" is a bit unfair, as I have tasted many double IPAs had less the hop intensity or complexity than this offering. The only indications of the style here are the lighter mouthfeel and the astonishing drinkability.

Super hoppy beers that have a moderate (or lower) alcohol presence seem to be gaining popularity, and this beer is the benchmark for that category. Zombie Dust is definitely worthy of the accolades that it receives. Thank you Daniel for the opportunity to try this amazing beer AND for donating the proceeds to a terrific cause.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2013 23:58:22 | More by Damian

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.79/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

This brew was served from the tap at the Three Floyds Brewpub in Munster, Indiana. It arrived in a generic nonic glass, showing hues of solid golden yellow. It held a half finger tall head of soft and tight white bubbles, leaving drippy spots of lacing about the glass. A ring was noted to crown the beer, while a film was set across the lacing, looking like Earth’s clouds from orbit, for the entire tasting. A light chill haze was noted without sediment, while carbonation appeared to be light. The aroma gave massive citric and raw piney hop resin. This glory met pale malts, freshly juiced red apples, and sweeter lactic cleanliness. With warmth the hops became deeper and more herbal, adding wildly robust spice and sweetness simultaneously. Our first impression was “Wow…” in regards to the incredibly juicy and fruity hop dominance against the crisp malty dryness. As we sipped, pale malts that were a bit chalky and reminiscent of inky newspaper dryness mixed with explosively wet citric hops, green sappy woodiness, fresh tree bark sweetness, tinny metallics, and orange rind zest to start things off. Palpably syrupy and oily citric hop freshness brought us swiftly to the peak, where salty ocean air freshness, solid pale malts, and light caramel brush and toast met in full flavor. The finish came with fusel herbal hop air, riding over a bolstered grain bill of wet, earthy, and spicy pale malts, mild wheatiness, and a final yeasty muddle. The aftertaste breathed of bittered citric rind, fresh grapefruit flesh with appropriately toned bitterness, metallics, faint ale yeastiness, drying woody lick, herbal slickness, black pepper, and juicy nectarine tartness. BOOM!! The body was softly medium, with huge frothy carbonation, but without an intense prickle. Wet and oily coating was licked around the palate, with slow, slow, slow dryness to the tongue that seemed leafy and hoppy in origin. Each sip gave soft but beautiful slurp, sip, cream, froth, and smack. The abv was appropriate, and the beer was amazing drinkable.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was its flavoring and feel. The sip starts super fresh, clean, and crisp, developing with warmth into this outrageously complex and well-integrated drink. The malts gave a unique softness, but solid flavoring and boldness, while the hops got dirtier, more herbal, and more spicy throughout the tasting. The hops then play off the malts, sullying them and dragging them down to an equally as gritty level. The feel was soft and personally contributory to the wholeness of this experience, helping to keep drinkability just below the force of a fire hydrant. Despite the changes to this beer as the sipping progresses, it always remains welcome on the palate, definitely living up to the hype. If this is the dust of the zombie I’m almost afraid to see what meeting one face to face would be like…

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 20:46:21 | More by TheBrewo

Jimmeekrek

Wisconsin

4.56/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

On tap at 3F brewpub. I'm not a huge fan of the style, but this was a pretty spectacular beer. Beautiful texture, balance and taste. Not at all the hopbomb i expected, like most 3 floyds stuff. So much so, that I brought a case home with me. I'll be having a couple this weekend.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 11:54:43 | More by Jimmeekrek

bcm75

Illinois

4.76/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at FFF brewpub. Pours a beautiful copper-orange color. Perfect head goes down relatively quickly. Smell - really nice citrus and hops. Taste - great balance of flavors. Appropriate amount of carbonation for the style. Overall - I bought a case to take home.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2013 19:30:58 | More by bcm75

blackie

Virginia

4.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

hit the brewpub en-route to Pitchfork Fest, spent the night camping at Indiana Dunes

a: medium amber in color, sporting a well retained white head with heavy lace

s: initial hit of vivid, beautiful hops is all fff - lots of orange pulp and bright citrus, citra is a fucking great hop, dripping with resin but never harsh, pale and caramel malts give aromas of lightly toasted sugar, forming an aromatic base

m: carbonation moderate, lively, with a body hovering around light-medium

t: lovely citra hops - big orange flavor, citrus oil, light toasted sugars/caramel malt, sweetness nearing moderate, bitterness pulls through with perfect balance, hop flavors through the roof

o: no surprise, a top tier ipa, fff owns the style, citra ftw

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2013 04:06:37 | More by blackie

Rope

Illinois

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had known of Three Floyds for awhile, but one day an over-excited beer clerk gave me a six pack from his secret stash. I never looked back.

Appearance-
Sharp orange, and depending how served a surprisingly foamy head.

Smell-
The standard to which citra hops should be held, a showcase of clean tropical fruits, citrus fruits, and a smidgeon of bubblegum.

Taste-
Follows the smell, but the hops have a bitter back. Like a good pale ale, the malt is still present.

Mouthfeel-
The hop oils give a good feel, but it remains refreshingly crisp.

Overall-
The hype is factored into this rating, but the hype followed a fantastic beer. It is drinkable in all occasions.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2013 04:02:16 | More by Rope

Fux

France

4.33/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. On tap at Mikkeller bar.
A: Clear golden / copper color with a small white head.
S: Smell is very hoppy, with mainly tropical fruits (mango, passion-fruit)
T: The taste follows the nose, very fruity, also resinous. Finishes quite bitter.
M: Medium bodied, with a good carbonation, very refreshing.
O: A very nice pale ale. I would have called it an IPA, very fruity and tasty given the ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2013 16:36:19 | More by Fux

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass at Local Optiom in Chicago. Pours a hazy but vibrant orange/golden color with a really thin white head, and lots of thick cling.

Smells of bright mango/passion/citrus fruit, with a nice hop balance.

Taste is similar, with mango most obvious. It also has this resinous character to it, but it's not too piney.

Feel is nice and smooth for the style, light to medium carbonation, but nice and creamy. There is a distinct pulp aftertaste.

Overall, Zombie Dust probably not a 5. It's very good, and I'm glad I got to try it. Would love to sample in a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 16:13:01 | More by rodlavers

HOP_KING

Illinois

4.81/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

My favorite beer. Have had many chances to drink this and it's failed me zero times. I've gotten sick of other citra hop beers but not this one, it sustains everything that I like about beer. An excellent make by FFF.

I rated it high so will discuss more about areas I didn't give it a 5, also excuse my inability to phrase fruity descriptions on paper.

Appearance is always good, though I do prefer appearance of a slightly darker ale. Smell is fantastic, though a beer like Westvleteren to me has a better aroma. A bit more kick I suppose.

Taste, as noted above my favorite so it gets the top rating. With that had to give it top rating for mouthfeel too seeing that everytime I finish a sip or gulp in my head I'm smiling and thinking wow that was fantastic. I probably do this in reality sometimes too.

Overall, a solid 4.75.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 02:46:13 | More by HOP_KING

stewart124

Ohio

4.71/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

On tap at Party Source in Kentucky and poured into a snifter.

Orange-yellow in color with decent lacing and as I drank more lacing was evident.

Needless to say there was a ton of citrus and juicy-fruit in the nose.

Sharp. Huge hop presence but that's what this is all about. Beautiful malt character to accentuate the hops. This is bitter without scaring anyone away. Drinks a bit bigger than 6.4%.

Lingering resin and pine on the tongue. Finishes very dry.

Absolutely beautiful.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2013 00:39:33 | More by stewart124

Infamous7100

Ohio

4.49/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a deep orange near ruby color. A decent finger width white head with decent lacing.
S: loads of citrus fruits and pine notes. A fantastic balance between floral fragrances and pineapple, sugar and lemon.
T: starts with a malty bang but is quickly subdued by the bittering hops and crisp citrus flavors. Both aspects are intense and complex but are in perfect symmetry. Impressed.
M: medium bodied with a similar carbonation level. Slightly creamy. Coats the tongue completely without battering it with hops. It's wonderfully smooth and finishes clean.
O: worth the wait, worth the price. For a guy who isn't enamored with overly hoppy pale ales, this was done extremely well. It is intricately balanced, complex and flavorful. If you get the chance, pick this up.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 02:45:50 | More by Infamous7100

zombiereview

1.85/5  rDev -60.1%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Appearance was fine. Nothing to write home about; no complaints.

The major problem was the nose. I've had this beer on draft form two different bars in Chicago and both times I could not finish even one pint. This beer has an overwhelmingly body-odor-like aroma. The smell was dense and lingering. All I could think about were the summers I've spent in crowded eastern european subways.

Generally I love FFF, but I will definitely not be drinking ZD again anytime soon.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2013 03:47:54 | More by zombiereview

Casedogg43

Indiana

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My Updated review gives Zombie Dust a 5.5.
It ain't going down in score I promise that! Cheers!

Can I give a10 out of 5 for the smell of Zombie Dust!
This I'd the most addictive smelling brew I've ever had the pleasure of drinking! ( over and over).

Color is just as it should be, nice head, smooth lines while drinking.

You can smell this beer from 5 feet away, and the smell is Citrus heaven.

Very flavorful, sharp grapefruit, oranges and hops. But not the smack down of sweetness you'd expect.
Finish is smooth as silk and begs you to buy some to take home!
Best overall tasting APA I've ever had!

Thank god for Indiana craft beers!!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2013 03:41:25 | More by Casedogg43

JakeMorgan13

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

the appearance is a glowing yellow. it smells very hoppy. a smell that you will come back for. the taste is a strong hoppy flavor. its just strong enough. its followed by a kind of sweet settling on the tongue. this is the best beer. you just have to try it

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2013 02:38:40 | More by JakeMorgan13

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Mmmmm...Zombie Dust, one of the legendary American Pale Ales, is miraculously served on tap quite regularly here at the University of Chicago's on campus bar, The Pub. I enjoyed a couple pints of this impossibly juicy hop nectar last Wednesday. Review is from notes. Served in a pint glass.

Appearance (4/5): Minimal, 1/4 inch head due to a poor pour by a fairly incompetent bartender...but I digress. I'm sure the head would be luxuriant, bubbly, and white if there was one. Zombie Dust is copper-hued/light orange, clear, and visibly effervescent. Looks like just another pale ale. Nothing incredible about the appearance, but this isn't exactly a huge problem.

Smell (4.75/5): The nose is enough to make any hop head cry tears of joy. It is extraordinarily fruity, juicy, and demonstrates all those grapefruit, passion fruit, and mango notes that distinguish intensely hopped ales. In the mix are your standard piney, resiny aromas, but the fruit notes steal the spotlight. Deep, dank, bold, pungent. Simply excellent.

Taste (5/5): Super fruity, highly citrusy–grapefruit flavors tower above any other tasting notes. Zombie Dust=ruby red grapefruit delivery system. Zombie Dust is also quite dank. I must remark, the malt nicely compliments the hops and lends the beer good body. Additionally, I enjoy how the beer isn't intensely bitter; rather it is intensely (and enjoyably) fruity. This is a well-constructed APA that isn't totally out of balance. Probably the best tasting Pale Ale NOT named Hill Farmstead Edward I've drank.

Mouthfeel (4.5/5): Nice tongue coating citric aftertaste and a long juicy grapefruit finish. Medium carbonation, medium body. Considerably more body and hoppiness than your average pale ale.

Overall (4.75/5): Zombie Dust is one of those highly-hoppy American Pale Ales that's almost an IPA. Some people might get caught up in stylistic hair-splitting...that's not for me. This is a phenomenal tasting ale that beautifully showcases the power of Citra hops. It's juicy, dank, fruity, mildly bitter, and will flood your mouth with wave after wave of hop flavor. There's a reason why this a legendary ale. Reputation earned and confirmed. Boom.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2013 06:26:10 | More by hagbergl

Imperial_Sapient_Groat

Michigan

4.99/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Went to the brewery yesterday for the first time and picked up two cases, might be a little bit better on tap,but these bottles are amazing. I guess its a pale ale, but an amazing smooth citra hopped beer none the less. Amazing, Dust doesn't disappoint

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 06:27:47 | More by Imperial_Sapient_Groat

ClintonRalston

Indiana

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Its without a doubt one of the best beers I've ever had the pleasure of drinking! I stop by the The Floyds Brewery every time I get a chance. If your lucky they might have some for sale. They limit how much you can buy so I'll usually get as much as they'll let me. Its great out of a bottle but its even better on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2013 22:19:49 | More by ClintonRalston

BobKieffer

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was in Chicago last spring with a friend for a conference and this was far and away our go-to beer for the weekend. Had a great flavor, looked fantastic and finished like a dream. I'm in North Carolina now and, unfortunately, Three Floyds doesn't distribute here, otherwise I'd have a bottle in front of me right now. Good stuff. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2013 01:53:50 | More by BobKieffer

bound4er

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A. Dark straw to golden colored with a nice white head. Laces well.

S. Citrus hops dominate - from the smell of things one gets a sense that the taste will be phenomenal. Pineapple, orange, mango, etc.

T. A quaffable, great tasting beer that does everything well. Very tropical upon entry with just enough malt to add balance without sweetness. Finishes long and crisp. Damn near perfect.

M. Low to medium bodied with good carbonation.

O. For such a drinkable beer it is amazing how much flavor is packed into this stuff. I wish this was available in bottles around here - it would be a staple in my fridge. Well done, highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 14:43:28 | More by bound4er

zrbeer1579

Illinois

4.76/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5

I was very excited to finally try this beer. It lives up to my expectations.

Appearance: A nice orange- light copper with a white one finger head and some good lacing.

Aroma: Very hoppy. Grapefruit, pine, pineapple, tangerine, mango, and a little floral.

Taste: Very similar to the aroma. Tropical fruits and pine. A little bit of caramel-toasty malt. The malt becomes a bit stronger as the beer warms, but the hops dominate heavily all throughout.

Mouthfeel: Median bodied and carbonation. The finish is a little dry and hops bitterness lingers shortly. Very easy to drink.

Overall: This is a great hoppy pale ale. It leans more of an IPA. Tons of flavors. I really enjoyed Zombie Dust and something I will happily have again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 01:14:54 | More by zrbeer1579

beersnob_kyle

Indiana

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

on tap at the brewpub on more than one occasion.

this is why i started loving beer, rather than liking it. the first sip is just WOW! and you want more, FFF really hit a cult classic with this brew.

A: light is color with a white head.

S: HOPS, HOPS, HOPS, citrus, grapefruit, any fruit you can imagine into this beer is there.

T: HOPS, fruit, malts, and more HOPS.

M: fizzy but not like a $5 6-pack, like a very good pale ale.

O: would drink this again, and again, and again, and again, and again.. if you get the chance to order this on tap or if a friend offers you a 12oz bottle, don't turn it down!

cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2012 14:23:20 | More by beersnob_kyle

ratatat

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I ordered an an Arctic Panzer Wolf before I realized what I was missing. Panzer Wolf is very good, but too hot. Zombie Dust is exactly what I wanted. The panzer wolf is left panting in the dust.

A- great lacing, decent color. Clear. Not remarkable, but nice.
S- Subtle, but great nose. Accurately reflects its flavor. Pine and citrus.
T- Wow. Great beer. Head slap, but I want more. Impressive.
M- not too dry or bitter. Touches all my taste buds.

Deserve a world-class rating. I can't believe I lasted this long without this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2012 02:30:19 | More by ratatat