Three Floyds Alpha King

Brewed by Three Floyds Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
Munster, Indiana USA

Reddish amber body with an off-white head. Citrus hop aroma is subtle, the taste is all hops. Bitter grapefruit taste with an average finish. This should really be an IPA.

While this ale may not seem like a APA, I’m not sure I agree with it being categorized as an IPA either. What it is, in my opinion, is the best beer I have tasted that is not in an imperial category. A fine balance of hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma with a perfect malt backbone.

I picked up some Alpha King in Chicago last weekend to try it for the first time. This is hardly a Pale Ale, yet it ranks among the best IPA’s I have ever had, so even better. While I feel like the aroma hops could be stepped up , the bitterness is just right to suit me; very balanced and without an overpowering aftertaste. I really enjoyed drinking this beer and hope to get more soon.

Finally, I wanted to find the 3 Floyds, and I have. Let’s first say this beer is really testing the boundaries and definitions of a pale ale, honestly it’s more like an IPA. With that said, it would probaly be one of the best IPA’s as well. The aroma is full to the max. Very much full of very oily super hops, presumably classic Oregon/Washington styles - hops ranging from Cascade to the extreme Warrior hops. Citrus and alcohol is also present. Alcohol aromas are definitively dominant with bourbon oakiness. The appearance is a very deep coppery color, with a somewhat dissappointing head, white collar is all that is present. The flavor is full of intense Pacific Northwest hops, that are very well balanced by complimentary malts with an alcohol burn. I’m sure its going to give me some stomach flutters its oily to be sure with a lingering sassafrass alcohol like burn.

tap - Poured amber color with medium off white head. Aroma - fresh hops, citrus and some spice. Flavor - WOW!!, nice smooth balance of hops and malt. More like an IPA with awesome hop flavor. Palate - light/medium mouhfeel with good carbonation. Finish is bitter and has no aftertaste. Overall - Probably the best Pale ale I have had!!! I could drink this all night, tastes great on hot summer day!!

12 oz. Bottle courtesy of Naka. Pours a clear amber with a medium off-white head that lasts throughout and leaves fair lacing on the glass. Excellent grapefruity-citrus hop aroma with a slight spiciness and a subtle malt character in the background. Flavor is nicely balanced sweet malt combined with the citrusy hops and a mild peppery kick in the finish. Medium bodied. Great Pale Ale.

Bottle. Aroma of earth, citrus, pine, spice. Flavor quite bitter and overflowing with juicy citrus along with a light biscuit/doughy malt, though clearly the hops are the focus here, and they are quite lovely. Clearly an IPA, but still a very good one.

Bottle thanks to FlssmrBrewAlum. I’ve been waiting to try this one for quite some time now. Pours a semi-cloudy orange-brown with a small white head. Aroma of caramel malt, brown sugar, citrus hops, and grapefruit. Flavor is initially rather tangy with hop oils and citrus and then mellows with a maltier finish. This is pretty tasty. I’d love to have this as a session beer, if only it was distributed in NY. Good stuff. 8/4/8/4/16 (4.0/5)