Getting to 3 Floyds from Chicago

I dnt have any experience with it, but have you looked into Uber?

 

Nope - you need a car to get to Munster from Chicago. But I think you should weigh carefully whether you want to do that. The time you spend going down and back could be better spent at prime locations in Chicago proper. The 3 Floyds brew pub can be a bit of a $___show, long lines to get seated, and often nothing at the store that you couldn't get at Binny's in Chicago proper. You may be well familiar with this, and going with your eyes open, but if not, be careful. I went one time, and my wife, who is similarly not too interested in beer, lost patience after she spent an hour waiting for me in a car as I waited for ZD. They sold out, of course. I get plenty of 3 Floyds in Indianapolis, though, so YMMV.

 

No Uber. You're stuck renting a car really. I guess you could do the cab thing but it won't be easy. It's something you need to preplan. Def no cabs at the South Shore stations.

 

Getting there at the opening is always a safe bet on a weekday. It is worth going to the brewpub to eat and they always have some awesome stuff on tap. But did check the tap list and it is the first time I haven't seen ZD on it. I prefer alpha king over ZD anyway.

 

You will be fine if you go on a week day.

 

I like to get there 20 min before open. Most of the time I am first in line and I can get a seat right after I buy my beer.

 

I would take the south Shore to the miller stop and go to 18th street. Not as large or creative a food menu but much better beer and a couple minute walk to the train so no need for a car. Grab a sixer from them on your way out and drink them on the train back to the city. Just my 2 cents

 

Car rental is really the only solid way there and back.

And I get what people are saying about trying other breweries around Chicago, but take your chance to go to FFF. If you're renting a car anyway, stop at places like 18th on the way back.

If you are renting a car, be aware that one of the better ways to get to FFF (depending where you start in the Chicago area) is a toll road.

 

Going to 3Floyds is definitely worth it for the on tap beers you can't get at Binnys. They may or may not have ZD on tap but generally have quite a few beers available at the kiosk. When I go during the week in the middle of the day, there is never a line at all at the kiosk, even when ZD is there. Same goes for the evenings (except days before big holidays...). Even in the evenings on week days I really haven't experience too long of waits to eat. Fridays are definitely longer waits.

 

As I recall, my experience was based on a Sunday morning, so I'll grant that it was pretty much worst case. I just think that visits to Chicago city options (Revolution, Half Acre) might be easier and more satisfying. I've also heard great things about Three Floyds food and some of their tap options, so if you can hit the timing right, it could be a lot of fun. Sounds like you're going in eyes open, so you should be all right.

I will add that 18th Street in Miller (Gary) is a solid choice, much less hassle, and does offer easy train access, if you pick a good time and plan your visit using the South Shore schedule.

 

I agree with the people who say hit up the Chicago options or 18th street. Nothing wrong with FFF but as a person who lives in Chicago with family around Munster I can tell you that public transit would be a pain. Renting a car and driving out would eat up a whole day (the drive is only 40 or so minutes but you have to pick up and drop off the car and pay to park it it if you are staying downtown.

If you do drive out and they do not have or run out of zombie dust try calling a few local restaraunts/bars etc. I had a zombie dust at a Mexican restaraunt in Schererville a week ago by random chance.

 

Definitely go, even if only for the tap list which is usually really good. And if you're going all the way down there, you MUST include 18th Street in that trip. It's not much farther, and although it won't make your friends back home jealous like FFF will, that place is comin' up! It won't have near the variety of beer that FFF will (really only a few on draft), but what they will have will be fantastic.

 

Not trying to be rude here.

Unless FFF is your white whale or something, Id spend your time not traveling. There are too many outstanding places in the city for you to waste valuable time getting to 3 Floyds

 

My buddy lives in munster and owns his own cab company. message me if you're interested and I can put you in touch with him

 

I've scanned most of the thread and what everyone has said is right for the most part. I'll give you my 2 cents since everyone else did.
I go to FFF every few weeks because it's relatively convenient (20 mile drive) and, well, the beer is great and the food at the Pub is very good - I would classify their food as "high end bar food".
I've gone at pretty much any time of the day, most days of the week. The best time in my opinion to go is a Friday. None the less, you're gonna wait and go with a party of LESS THAN 5. I think there are only 2-3 tables that sit more than 4. The one time I went with a party of 5, we waited 1 hour 45 mins - never again - and you can't drink beer while waiting.
There's no easy way to get there unless you drive, as others have said. Cab would be high $$ from Chi or the Shoreline in Hammond. Which also sucks, because if you're driving you can't try everything you want to try - everything except Zombie Dust (6.2%) is more than 9%.
All 6ers are $10, cases $40, and bombers vary at the Kiosk. ZD is available now for $40 and that's a steal. ZD is rarely for sale for carry out except for a few times a year - there would be a mile long line all day. I'm very close, 20 miles, and ZD is $14.99-$18.99 6er here - check the website for what is available before you go. It's worth the drive to save the huge markup.
I personally would go if I were you. Also, hit Goose Island and Half Acre in Chi if you cant come to Munster. But, like others have said, if you cant make it you'll be fine hitting Capone or Binny's in Chi for finding some good FFF (and other great breweries across the country).

 

Bottles and cans, Fischmans, the beer Temple are top notch bottle shops capones is overpriced and the owner is a complete asshole. IMO