Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week": Three Floyd's Fantabulous Resplendence X Anniversary Ale

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Oct 17, 2007 4:00PM

If you don't like hoppy beers, just scroll past — this week's installment isn't for you. Just trust us on this. It's been a solid thirty minutes since we drained the bomber of Three Floyd's Fantabulous Resplendence X Anniversary Ale (known only as "X" from here on out), and the spice from the hops is still lingering in the back of our mouth. Speaking honestly here, we feel as though we've been intubated by ale.

Three Floyds already has a reputation for brewing hop bombs, but if the Patriot Act extended to beer, "X" would be in violation. This American strong ale, brewed in conjunction with Three Floyds's tenth anniversary, is dominated by the spicy bitterness of green hops that threatens to overpower the traces of warm grapefruit, caramel and black pepper. For all the hops in this beer, however, the body of this beer isn't that thick. This is a medium-bodied beer with a lot of sweetness and a dry, clinging finish. We almost feel that the folks in Munster brewed this just to see who had the constitution to drink it.

Munster's not that far away from Chicago. Last we checked, "X" was available on draft at the Three Floyds brewpub, or for sale in 22.5-ounce bombers for $10. We bought two bottles at Lush for $12 each, and have the second bottle hidden somewhere next to the DarkLord and Naughty Brown Goose.