I’m on a trip in Kentucky and considering taking a long route home to MI through Indy and Fort Wayne to score some FFF. I’d like to land Permanent Funeral, Dreadnaught, and Zombie Dust, or at least two of the three to make the extra hour worth it. My understanding is ZD is pretty difficult to find on the shelf. Are PF and DN the same? I leave Friday. Can anyone make some store suggestions for these beers? Thanks all.
Dreadnaught is a tad easier than the others, but even that can be dicey. (Zombie is totally hit or miss, and I have only seen PF a couple times in the last year. Sorry.) Best places to look in Indy are Kahn's Fine Wines in Broad Ripple and the Crown Liquors downtown, though both of those aren't super accessible off of the highways. I also tend to see more FFF stuff in 21st Amendment stores (in particular, the 62nd Street store in Broad Ripple), but that might just be me. If you're en route back to MI anyway, there is actually a pretty good Payless Liquors right off of I-69 at 96th street that has a solid selection. That might be a good place to stop without going too far out of your way.
Honestly, you'll be unlikely to find any of those in Indy, except maybe at Crown Downtown (and if you aren't there on the right day, probably not). I've been pretty surprised at how little FFF's there is in Indy sans Yum Yum and Backmasking since I moved back here this spring. Kahn's is a pain in the ass to get to and had no FFF's the last time I went. Vine and Table in Carmel has been similar slim pickings. Here's a better recommendation; in the past few years I traveled to IN regularly for work, specifically spending months at a time in Columbus, IN (~40 miles south of Indy). The big chain in Columbus is Cork Liquors. Their flagship store, on State Road 46 just off I-65 always had a lot of FFF's, more than any place I've seen since moving here. I was down there this past weekend for the first time since relocating, and first time in about 18 months, and low and behold, plenty of FFF's. Picked up a fresh War Mullet. Still had none of what you referenced but way more assorted bombers and 6-pks than I've come across anywhere else this year. Good luck.
Where in MI are you heading to? Instead of taking 69 up through Ft Wayne, you'd likely be better off taking 65 north to Gary and just making the slight detour to FFF. If you plan on stopping in Indy for FFF, I'd call ahead to a couple places. Crown downtown would be my first call and they usually have a decent idea what their other locations have. Big Red on 31 just south of 465 might be a decent shot too. You can try Kahns, but they get cleaned out pretty quick. I've been hit or miss at pretty much every Payless I've tried, so I'm not sure which of their locations I'd point you towards. Stony's at 10th and Emerson can have some hidden gems too. I would recommend Parti Pak, but their FFF stock usually moves quick. You can score ZD there, but it generally sells out by 5 or 6pm on thursdays.
We stopped at a store in Fort Wayne this afternoon and picked up a six of Zombie Dust. We were getting Not Your Father's Root Beer while there. The Zombie Dust was behind the counter along with a case of Gumballhead. If you just go in on a mission for either of those beers around here, you're leaving empty handed. They won't sell or even hint unless you're buying other items. Being a regular customer often helps, but it was the first time we'd ever been at that location. Also, the area's distributor usually delivers FFF on Wednesdays. If you're coming through on Friday, you may not run into any. No matter which route you take, good luck!
Not sure where you're coming from but there's Gays-Hops-N-Schnapps in Fremont (first exit off of 69 across the border) that has a decent amount of 3F stuff. I've scored ZD, Gumballhead and Dreadnaught there. Don't let the name deter you.
There's also a location off of exit 247 in Angola. Head east on US20 for about 1 1/2 miles and it's on the left next to Baker's Acres.
Lots of folks asked where I'm coming from. Louisville. I will either take the Ohio route, or the route up through indy and fort Wayne. Unfortunately going all the way to FFF is just too far when all I want is a few bombers or a sixer. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I'm going to call some of these stores, even though I might get the cold shoulder.
My mistake. Look for exit 348, US20 in Angola. Gay's Hops & Schnapps has four locations. Also, S&V was where I found ZD at.
S&V Liquors is a chain in Fort Wayne. If you are coming up I69, the Dupont exit (316) has a S&V and a Belmont Beverages. You should be able to find plenty of craft and FFF. Just not sure what. ZD is hit or miss and I feel like I haven't seen Dreadnaught or PF in awhile. There should definitely be other bombers. Call both ahead of time.
