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

Preismj

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

a: hazy amber, a bit dark. Nice half inch head that sticks around for the whole drink. nice stickiness to it as well...great lacing.

s: hops! pine tree scent up front with a citrus in the background. Made my mouth water.

t: very hoppy in the front of this brew. A very strong bitterness up front, like chewing on a pine tree. Hits you hard, hits you fast, then fades into a citrus sweetness that washes it all down. Left my palette wanting more.

m: creamy, rich and full bodied. Mild carbonation. The aftertaste of sweet citrus left my mouth watery and salivating. This was what I noticed most about this beer...really made me want another sip.

o: Very good beer. Similar to others out there, though there is nothing wrong with that. I would have liked a stronger presence of the citrus in the finish, though the sweetness you get as it all washes away made this a great beer to start the night with. Very good.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 14:32:10 | More by Preismj

jhammerly

Nebraska

4.72/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I finally acquiried this brew during a roadtrip to John's Grocery in Iowa City. I must say it was worth the wait. To be honest though, I think I was attracted to the beer due to its artwork on the label more than the beer itself. Labeling once again pays off for the brewery. This was a delightful treat.

Poured into an imperial pint glass from the bottle, I received a near perfect pour. An orangish amber body with an off-white two-fingered head. A wonderful aroma of citrusy hops with a hint of pine (can someone please market this aroma as an air freshener?). The hop flavor just coats the tongue and lingers there for awhile. It is strong, but not overpowering. If not for the high ABV, this could be a nice session beer because it isn't heavy and it is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2005 19:38:32 | More by jhammerly

Mudpuppet

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to TheodorHerzl for the chance to try this.

A- Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours amber with yellow highlights. Little to no head, some light lacing on top.

S- A sweet nose lots of hops. Notes of grapefruit and orange. I actually get an almost hard candy smell.

T- I get a good malt backbone w/ some nice hops character. I nice caramel with citrus notes. This is a really tasty beer. I am not getting blown away w/ hops like I thought I would. This is a very balanced beer.

M- This is a pretty thick pale ale but it is nice on the palate. Lower carbonation than I would expect though.

D- I could definitely have a couple of these. I think I should road trip to Munster, IN!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 02:02:37 | More by Mudpuppet

IdrinkGas

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Amber color with little head and almost no lacing.

S: Mostly grapefruit, but I also pick up tropical fruits and pineapple. Terrific aroma!

T:Tastes almost exactly replicates the smell which is really nice.

M: Smedium body, good carbonation, with a refreshing mouthfeel.

D: Its got a great taste, the ABV isn't too high, and its quite a refreshing beer. Its a great summer type beer that I would consider highly drinkable.

I was unimpressed when I had this from a bottle but in a growler it was GREAT!!

Serving type: growler

08-09-2010 22:18:42 | More by IdrinkGas

arboristfish

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours a deep copper color, with a white head. This beer has a great citrus hop aroma to it. The flavor is fairly strong with citrus hops, there is a bit of a lingering citrus hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium light. Overall its a drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2010 00:03:28 | More by arboristfish

Northsider

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Definitely not my style of beer, but I wanted to try something different.

Pour deep yellow, with white head. Smell was that of grapefruits and other citruses.

Taste wasn't doing it for me. I'm not sure what a "good" pale ale or IPA is supposed to taste like, but this tasted like Pine Sol to me. Not very pleasant at all.

Seems like this is a hit for certain beer drinkers, but for those with my tastes it's best to avoid. Overall it's just a wacky, piney taste that somehow seems shouldn't be in any drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 21:18:29 | More by Northsider

DaveHack

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Ithaca tulip at 52 degrees.

This beer is darker than I expected. Pours a dark copper, with a nice large head that settles down and leaves very nice lacing all around the glass.
The smell is of a very bitter hop. Very aromatic beer.
The taste is very good, especially for a pale ale. Very nice bitter hops upfront, then a smooth finish at the end.
Mouthfeel is good, not too thin or thick.

Overall this is a great beer, especially for a pale ale. Im usually into bigger IPA/DIPAs, but this brew can definately hold its own.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 00:57:20 | More by DaveHack

jhu1995

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass and had a nice copper-reddish color. Was amazed at the head retention. Actually thought I saw it getting thicker in the glass. Superb appearance. Had a flowery, grassy smell too it, very earthy. As expected, the hops dominate the taste, but it is very well balanced. Thgouth the flavor changed somewhat as the beer breathed in the glass. A very refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2005 00:24:56 | More by jhu1995

jlandis

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An aggressive pour produces rich hazy amber with one finger head. The nose is full of bright citrus hops and a malty sweetness. The flavor is beautiful! Rich bready malt with tons of grapefruit and orange peel! The body is rich and there's just enough carbonation.

I'm not sure how this is classified as just a pale ale, but I'm really impressed with this beer. And at over 6% I'm sure I could get in trouble with a few of these. The citrus is bright and fresh and the malt is quite tasty.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2010 19:29:47 | More by jlandis

schusterbauer

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

went in with skepticism, and was quickly put in my place. this may very well live up to the hype of being the best APA out there.

thick, cloudy orange-brown color with a big head and lots of sticky lacing. smells like fruit preserves, orange juice, hops, herbs, caramel. tastes like herbal tea, natural fruit juices -- cherry, orange, grapefruit, peach...; tons of hops, but they're nicely blended with bread and malt flavors. this is complex, which is something i don't normally associate with the style. robust in the mouth, but very smooth, and very refreshing. this could be guzzled by the gallon, the only obstacle being the abv.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2007 14:45:24 | More by schusterbauer

cadizkyguy

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Three Floyds is fast becoming my favorite brewery (Gumballhead, Dreadnaught, Miloko Plus, etc.) and I'm so happy to have regular access to all their beers (my mother lives minutes from Three Floyds and I visit her often to help with household chores). This Three Floyds offering is no different. This is what beer should taste like. If you can trade for this beer, I say go for it.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2009 01:58:51 | More by cadizkyguy

KrisPaulk77

Mississippi

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

*Based on tasting notes from 07 Aug 09 vist to the brew pub.*

The beer was presented in a standard pint glass. The color was a beautiful deep, dark amber with a nice white head that faded down to a small bit of foam that stayed til the end.
The hop aroma was very pronounced, citrusy, piney, with some caramel malts lurking around the corner. Slight bready aroma noted, but the hops were the showpiece here.
The flavor of this beer is solid, with a good malt backbone, and a bracing hop bitterness. I detected a grapefruit, pine, little caramel swirls here and there, maybe even some honey. There is a good solid mouthfeel to this brew. I would drink the King frequently if it were available anywhere close to home, but alas, Indiana is 14 hours away.
If the opportunity presents itself, get some Alpha King.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2009 04:59:49 | More by KrisPaulk77

stxSS07

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Killian's Imperial Pint

A- Pours a dark orange copper with a fingers worth of head. Carbonation streaming off the bottom of the glass. Sticky lacing.

S- One word. Amazing. This has the aggressiveness and complexity of a DIPA with a malt background. One of the best smelling beers I've encountered.

T- Where does the APA end and the IPA begin? This is such a fantastic take on the style. On the first sip I'm overwhelmed with hops and citrus fruits giving way to a wee bit o' malt. Fantastic.

M- Light and crisp. Very refreshing with a juicy feel that finishes with a perfect dryness that gets you ready for the next sip.

O- This is one of my "go-to" beers that also happens to be one of the best that I have encountered. I consider myself lucky to live so close to FFF that I can get this with regularity.
A fantastic beer from an awesome brewery.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 03:10:12 | More by stxSS07

distantmantra

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a straight pint glass. January 8th, 2012.

A: The beer pours a deep amber color with a small head of white foam and some light lacing.

S: There is a hint of pine and citrus in the nose but there is more sweet malt than I figured would be there. This bottle was purchased in early December by my wife's cousin in South Bend IN, so I don't think it's very old.

T: There is a nice initial hop bitterness that is balanced well with the caramel malt and some earthy notes. Well-balanced flavor for a pale.

M: Pretty full bodied for a pale ale with nice carbonation. Alcohol not present.

O: This is my first FFF beer. It's a solid pale ale with a nice balance, but with all the hype I was expecting a little more. Not as hoppy as I thought it was going to be.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 00:24:02 | More by distantmantra

Kelly88

Kentucky

4.35/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at keystone in Covington.

A- bronze copper appearance. Very dark for a pale ale. Nice half inch white head That fades to a bubbly cap. Lacing is sticking after each sip.

S- grassy woody hops are the main event with the slightest suggestion of lemon in the nose.

T- the taste mirrors the nose with the herbal hops taking the lead. A dash of soapiness is there But isn't distracting.

M- light to medium bodied is eight in line with style. Maybe and Just maybe a touch more carbonation. Overall great feel

D- I could down multiple pints because of the mouthfeel and taste. Glad I had this great beer on Tap.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2011 22:45:16 | More by Kelly88

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

4.36/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This particular Alpha King review was taken from a brown growler filled at Ashland Beverage Center who had it on tap(I ended up drinking 3 total growlers full lol) though I've had many bottles of this as well. Poured into a nonic style pint. May I add that this specific FFF tap handle art is out of this world. Pure eye candy.

A - deep amber and I mean the deepest of glowing dark amber. Creamy white head sits atop and the ring of creamy lace stays around the entire experience leaving excellent stick to my nonic glass.

S - Big whiffs of fruitiness. A fruitiness that only comes from FFF. Some grapefruit, but smacks of mango and tangerine. Caramel like malt backbone provide the sweetness with a small touch of spice. Great aroma really starts things off in a class manner.

T - flavor is out of this world good. Caramel sweets and a faint toffee. Bready biscuit flavored malt balance nicely with a quick rush of grapefruit and pine like hops. Next is the sweet fruitiness of soft mango and orange with a hint of pineapple. Not as gushing with it as other FFF styles, but still very much present. These are the flavors I crave and FFF always deliver.

M - Medium bodied with a grand thick texture for a pale ale. Smooth and flows brilliantly while coating every inch of the palate with flavor. One of the smoothest 6.6% abv ales you'll ever find.

O - one of my all time favorites. From day one Alpha King was a classic and deserving Halloffamer. It's by far the 2nd best American pale ale ever produced IMO and I'm sure everyone knows who make the #1 APA. Yep, FFF hold both of those 1 and 2 spots in my book. Simply remarkable what they do with Alpha King and Zombie Dust. Both are clear cut winners and both a must try. If you have access to this then you should be enjoying it. It's top shelf good. I just wish we'd get the bottles of this on a regular basis here at home. Ill buy this anytime I see it. A well balanced world class APA that's ridiculously tasty and fulfilling? Indeed. FFF brewing a liquid like Alpha King = pure Class. Pure genius.

Serving type: growler

04-18-2013 04:40:58 | More by BradtheGreat7

garthwaite

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled from a 12 oz bottle. Pours a hazy amber with a big, enticing aroma of grapefruit & mild background sweetness. In the mouth, this is very bitter & damn tasty. Big grapefruit throughout & some light pine. Caramel malt lays a foundation, but is thoroughly dominated by the brew's hoppiness. Medium bodied with active carbonation. Lightly sweet & moderately acidic, this brew finishes with more strong bitterness. A damn good pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2004 19:44:52 | More by garthwaite

Scoobydank

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

L: The beer itself is a dark orange amber color. The head is a light off white.
S:I am picking up a combination or apricots and grapefruit. Niehter of which totally stick out.
T:The hops a nice floral on the back. Those are matched up and balanced well with a touch of sweet malt.
M:Like many pale ales, this one is big fat, round and syrupy.
D:This is probably one of the best pale ales I have had.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2008 17:47:59 | More by Scoobydank

BasementBer

Manitoba (Canada)

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

This is an enjoyable pale ale. I had heard alot of references to it and had high hopes, it did not disappoint.

A: Pours a solid cream white head with substantial resin and lacing. Orange to amber in color.

S: Citrus, grapefruit and lemons.

T: The malt comes through more than I expected from this pale ale. It is a malt forward pale with substantial bittering that follows all the way to the end.

M: Pockets start to tingle and the wash is zingy from the carbonation.

O: I stand behind, my favorite IPA is brewed by Surly out of Minnesota, and I think they styled on this beer. Still take the surly first, but this is a close second.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 18:42:42 | More by BasementBer

tar

Bahamas

3.98/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark coppery color, nice foamy white head. Lacing on glass as head dissipates. Lacing persists as beer is consumed as does a very thin head. A very attractive beer. Smells of citrus and hops, not overpowering but very pleasant. Decent taste, hoppy with a citrus overtone. A nice feel, not very heavy. Readily drunk, a good overall beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2003 09:16:14 | More by tar

PatYoda

Colorado

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is a clear mahogany with a nice one finger tan colored head and some great lacing. Smell really jumps out at you. Sweet sweet oranges alongside some bready malt. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful that first whiff is. No detectable alcohol. And now to taste. Ahhh, the creamy smoothness is the first thing you notice. Perfect carbonation and body. All the citrus fruits in the world are there, with the orange flavor really standing out next to a little bit of grapefruit and lemon. The malt adds some balance to this brew as a nice bready bisuity aspect, though it is definitely hoppier than your average pale ale. As others have said, it almost crosses the line into an IPA, but the hops in no way overpower the malt in this beer. The finish is extraordinary. Hops all the way, though it's not too bitter. I could drink this all night. In fact, I might just do that now. In case you couldn't tell, this is my favorite APA.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2005 01:20:52 | More by PatYoda

Birdiebeagle

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz Bottle Pours a hazy amber with an off white head. Head has good lacing. Aroma has a good mix. I pick up lemon citrus and a good prsence of what may be carmel or molasses malts. aste is excellent a clean well carbonated beer wit great flavors. The mix is perfect. Has a good bitter finish with a nice duration. This is one awesome pale ale. I would drink all of these I can get my hands on. If I see it, I am buying it.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2006 17:36:05 | More by Birdiebeagle

bnuttz

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow, talk about one hopped up pale ale. This one does the trick. Very hoppy, yet still balanced with by the sweetness of the malts. For having a higher ABV this one could easily be a session brew for me. I believe I will be returning to the store to get some more of this asap

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2004 21:32:57 | More by bnuttz

DuqTroops

Texas

4.22/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - dark orange in color - as if a little amberish

Smell - very hoppy with a scent of pine and citrus. smells a lot like an IPA than a regular pale ale.

Taste - malts and barley very light - as any PA there is much hop to the taste. one of the better PAs in a long time.

Mouthfeel - little bitterness with a moderate amount of body

Drinkability - very light and airy. I drank 3 during dinner and didn't realize it until the end (when the 6 ABV kicked in).

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2006 04:51:31 | More by DuqTroops

murrayswine

Arizona

4.2/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Alpha King pours a pumpkin orange hue, with a slight unfiltered fog. The smell is a slight bubbly bite and piny hops. Hints of lemon. The taste is light with an acidic bite. I'm going to let it warm up.

Upon warming up, the taste is much hoppier and with a bit of toffee, and unsalted peanuts. The alcohol is not even there, which makes it real smooth. I am really enjoying the mouthfeel, with a rich back end creaminess.
A fantastically hopped American Pale Ale, with the smooth mouthfeel to make it sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2007 01:49:22 | More by murrayswine