Alpha King Pale Ale - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From: Three Floyd's Brewery, Munster, IN
Date: None on bottle, but a few weeks old from brewery
Glass: Standard US pint glass

There's no denying that Alpha King is a top-quality ale for those who appreciate hops. The beer's variety of fruit flavors and its fairly intense bitterness are heavily appealing, and are an enjoyable reminder of summer during the winter, or a suitable hop-forward quencher during the summer. This beer blurs the line (if there is any) between American pale ale and India pale ale, weakening the idea of styles and suggesting descriptors may be the better way of describing beers.

Pours a tall (3cm) head of light tan bubbles, which are small in size, creating a very frothy effect. Retention is above average, lasting over two minutes as it declines to a thin cap atop the body of the beer. The lacing the head leaves is fairly substantial and in a variety of shapes and patterns that hang across the glass' interior. The body is a copper orange color, with light bringing out reddish-orange hues. Quite hazy (50% opacity?), but carbonation is still visible, though not terribly numerous or vigorous.

Aroma of fairly pure hop pellets, mostly cascade and centennial, probably others as well. The scents are fruity, juicy citrus (orange, grapefruit), tropical (guava, mango), slightly peppery, and very expressive. This would be even better if it had a slight malt aspect to add some further dimension.

Front of palate picks up slight malt sweetness, but is already starting to notice the bitterness and hop-influenced flavors of grapefruit and bitter orange. Mid-palate finds increased hop character in grapefruit and orange flavors, with lesser quantities of mango, all atop a faintly discernible base of caramel malts. Bitterness is noticeable, but moderate to me. Flash of bitterness occurs as the beer hits the back of the palate, gradually fading to reveal more grapefruit and orange, with even a bit of mango and guava. Aftertaste is of medium-high bitterness and residual hop-influenced fruit flavors.

Beer is medium-bodied with carbonation of medium intensity, resulting in a mouthfeel that is at first slightly fizzy, then softly foamy as it moves across the palate. Closes quite dry, with modest stickiness lingering across the palate.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 06:27:57 | More by falloutsnow

TheRuss9585

Vermont

4/5  rDev -7%

05-23-2013 15:49:49 | More by TheRuss9585

HopsintheSack

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-23-2013 04:36:54 | More by HopsintheSack

DangerDawg

Ohio

4/5  rDev -7%

05-22-2013 20:43:51 | More by DangerDawg

davesway10

Iowa

4/5  rDev -7%

05-22-2013 18:24:16 | More by davesway10

MooSully

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-22-2013 04:32:59 | More by MooSully

BrewSensei

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-22-2013 01:57:13 | More by BrewSensei

Claytonbrewsby

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-22-2013 01:24:18 | More by Claytonbrewsby

h0ppster

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -7%

05-21-2013 23:53:49 | More by h0ppster

msinger1002

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

05-21-2013 22:57:35 | More by msinger1002

wiseguywood

Indiana

5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is probably the best APA I have ever had. Pours a nice creamy amber with a very intense hop character. THe best I can find for this style. If you can find it, I highly recommend it. Since it's in my home state, we have pride in our Indiana brewer and brewpub.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:51:14 | More by wiseguywood

dcloeren

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-21-2013 19:40:28 | More by dcloeren

Rope

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance-
A copper brown, with a finger white head that leaves excellent lacing.

Smell-
Light floral pine, followed by a buttery malt.

Taste-
Strangely, I found it to start with the malt, move to the bitter side of the hops, then to the floral, then to the buttery side of the malt.

Mouthfeel-
Not as crisp as I was hoping, there is a heavier presence than expected.

Overall-
A flavorful APA that does not end the night.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2013 16:07:41 | More by Rope

duceswild

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-21-2013 04:55:04 | More by duceswild

marine1975

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -7%

05-21-2013 02:11:52 | More by marine1975

strohme2

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 01:36:56 | More by strohme2

ackeeper

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 01:01:56 | More by ackeeper

AL89BR

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 14:51:58 | More by AL89BR

OleDixie

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 07:24:46 | More by OleDixie

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-20-2013 01:37:47 | More by Ctrauty

TreeBeard

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-19-2013 20:39:54 | More by TreeBeard

BeastLU

Virginia

4/5  rDev -7%

05-19-2013 19:38:30 | More by BeastLU

ShawnMH

Indiana

4/5  rDev -7%

05-19-2013 15:29:05 | More by ShawnMH

Dave_Treat

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -12.8%

05-19-2013 04:13:58 | More by Dave_Treat

jakeox

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-19-2013 01:07:48 | More by jakeox