Three Floyds Brewing is one of greater Chicago’s most influential craft breweries. Founded in 1996 by Nick Floyd along with his father (Mike) and brother (Simon) — hence the name Three Floyds — the brewery began its journey in Hammond, Indiana, before moving to its better-known location in Munster, Indiana. Within a few years, Three Floyds gained a reputation for producing bold, high-quality beers — like it’s flagship Alpha King, which utilizes seven different malts matched with Centennial hops to create an amazing pale ale, or its Gumballhead, an American wheat pale ale that tastes like a gumball brewed with white wheat and dry hopped with hops (like Amarillo) from the Yakima Valley. Currently, Three Floyds products are available in 20 states and Washington, D.C.
The brewery’s annual event Dark Lord Day began in the early 2000s and quickly became one of the most sought-after beer release days in the country. Fans would travel from all over to get a bottle of Dark Lord, a Russian Imperial Stout known for its complexity and high alcohol content. Over the years, the company continued to expand, opening a brewpub adjacent to the brewery in 2005, inking a deal to contract brew the WarPigs brand in 2017 and even launching a distillery in 2019, but like many businesses Three Floyds faced challenges over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic was especially tough, forcing the closure of its brewpub in 2020 and the halt of some pretty exciting expansion plans, but that’s not the end of the story.
Three Floyds just announced it is set to open a new taproom at its brewery in Munster in 2024. According to the press release, the taproom plans were submitted to the Town of Munster on October 10. The destination will be located on Three Floyds’ multi-acre campus, featuring indoor and outdoor bars, a restaurant and retail kiosk. A future phase of development may include an event space and area for live music. Exciting! From the press release:
“Three Floyds Brewpub is being re-forged as a modern American Taproom and Beer Garden,” says owner and CEO Nick Floyd, “The new Three Floyds Taproom design combines and celebrates the elements of the land, including Indigenous mound building berms and prairie landscape, mixed with Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence. We’ll also feature monthly Taproom-exclusive beers and some select menu items from the former brewpub.”
The former brewpub space is now undergoing construction after it was utilized as a retail kiosk to sell beer, spirits and merchandise after the closure. The new taproom will feature the full portfolio of Three Floyds beer and spirits, WarPigs USA brews and select throwback menu items, including its popular barbecue beef jerky and beer-battered cheese curds. Three Floyds is currently the 24th top-producing craft brewery in the United States, as reported by the Brewers Association.
“The space will feel like Three Floyds the minute you step in,” says President Gary Modrow. “It will include architectural and design elements of the former brewpub with new and upgraded features, spaces and features. We have a long tradition of being unabashedly ‘not normal’ and the Taproom will be the next iteration of that.”
The brewery is working with Fifty/50 Restaurant Group to assist with the project and manage the hospitality program. Additional details about Three Floyds Taproom, including the opening date, will be announced in the coming months.
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