Three Floyds Releases

yes, I remember my brother getting Gumballhead bombers and couldn't believe they were only $2.50. that's probably been 2-3 years ago at this point.

 

Hopefully it’s a new recipe. This beer is a shell of it’s former self

 

I completely agree with your statement. I've drank Zombie Dust more than any other beer over the last 6 or so years, and they've definitely tinkered with the recipe (and not for the better). This last batch (03/21) was a big let down.

 

is it because they're brewing so much more of it? I'll be honest, I'm more of an Alpha King guy but I know a buddy of mine had said that the output of ZDust has increased big time in the last couple years.

 

I agree with this as well. I feel like it’s a lot maltier than before.

 

I know they've come out and said it's the same recipe (a lot of people have mentioned Gumballhead seems different too) but I have a theory.

*puts on tin foil hat*

I know they now use hop oil or whatever that sludge is called. Got that directly from someone that did a collab with them where Todd supplied the ingredients. My guess is they used pellets (or whatever) in the past and then switched to the sludge and that's the difference everyone is detecting. Sort of the same odd difference when using cryo hops that some people can pick up on.

Is it the same recipe? Yes. Are they using the same products? Likely not. So that's how I think they can claim nothing has changed with the recipe.

Again, that's just a theory and I could be totally wrong. But I've noticed the same thing as everyone else. The first 7 or so days after bottling, I probably couldn't tell you which one was made with which product. But the newer stuff seems to fall off much more quickly which is really disappointing.

*leaves tin foil hat on for more posts*

 

Thank you so much.

Also, well said.

 

I too have noticed a difference. I also think the beer (Zombie Dust) tastes as great as ever, provided it is fresh. After so many days, the flavor just leaves the bottle which did not used to happen, at least as quickly.

However, I am curious, what is "hop oil"?

 

I feel like freshness has always been a huge factor with Floyd's. even some of their beers you think would age well do not. 2 recent examples: Rue D'Floyd (has about a year of age on it, cracked one last week. cherries have gotten so sour) & sicario pino (enjoyed it quite a bit fresh & now it is straight oak. and not in a good way).

 

That may not be the correct term, but here's an example:

 

Wow that's really interesting! I too enjoyed it relatively fresh, can't even imagine it going all oak, almost want to try it. But I'll heed your warning lol

 

I can bring my last bottle to DLD if you want to give it a go! it wasn't undrinkable but it wasn't pleasant either..

 

For what it’s worth, if you were not aware, you can return the bottle of Rue to the kiosk for a $30 gift card. Opened or unopened.

 

I was not aware of that. however, I'm not sure it was infected. I think it just didn't age very well. surprised since it a 14% imperial porter but whatever. was a tremendous beer when it was fresh!

 

Fruit doesn't age, it rots....

 

Shit! After all this time I finally know why I don't like wine!

 

Excellent. I'm gonna use this at parties.

 

I think the biggest change 3 Floyd's has made is switching from bottle conditioning to force carbonation on their main lineup of beers. When you used to get Gumballhead years ago, there would be bit of sediment in the bottom from the bottle conditioning. Now, there's nothing. That extra yeast helps to scrub oxygen out of the bottle and keep the beer tasting crisp and fresh longer. I think fresh zombie dust is still pretty great, although I do feel the body is slightly different. But their hoppy beers drop off quick, and I legitimately think this is the main culprit.

 

Jesus Christ, this is the first I ever knew of FFF bottle conditioning(!)

Having said that, a friend stopped by the kiosk the other day and brought me a couple fresh ZD, less than a week old and it was dank grapefruit candy. Loved it.

 

I would wager haven’t bottle conditioned for at least the past 10 years, if not further back, especially on their core 4 lineup.