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

ITK4ever

Maryland

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

Pale Ale? Try hoppy IPA. The hops put other PA's to shame. This is one of my fav's, but I don't want to stock it all the time because the artwork on the bottle is a little frightening. If you can get past that, it's one fine PA....probably the best. Typical PA color and head on the pour, but right away you can detect the hops in the nose. Taste is complex and incredible. Good balance of malt and hops at first, then the hops kick in in the finish and you get that citrusy sensation that comes with the stronger IPA's....in fact, close to a Double IPA. Buy this one if you see it!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2005 18:46:27 | More by ITK4ever

mattgert

Ohio

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

Poured a hazy amber into a pint glass, smells of citrus like many others have stated. Man does this stuff taste great. A nice slap of hops, floral aromas and malts. The hoppy aftertaste comes back for another round. Wow! There is no point in rambling any further. If you like APAs - GET SOME! Simply delicious. This is the best beer I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2006 20:39:12 | More by mattgert

GeoffRizzo

Texas

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

Slightly cloudy off-orange in color. Decent tiny tan head that maintains superior retention. Near sugary lines of patching will retain until the sunlight of tomorrow is upon us. The nose is largely citrus hops, a sinus cleansing dose; pine cones and grapefruit, crossing the IPA side here! Bold and big…are the hops, citrus and piney in flavor. To get technical, my seasoned taste buds can quickly pick up on the centennial and cascade hop offerings; warrior hops, hmm. Massive flavor of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and orange peels. There is a moderate caramel malt backbone, yet it is certainly second fiddle to the three letter h word. Full bodied and loaded with flavor. The best APA on the market, search for it, find it, secure it. World class! A liquid-hops-induced delight!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2006 02:57:35 | More by GeoffRizzo

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

wilwfu

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Dark Copper in color, smells like a good southern biscut, but earthier... coming from the hops. The taste and mouthfeel go hand in hand. It's a two stage beer, hops vs malts, with each trying to steal the stage from the other, yet the juxtaposition of the two holds it all together. It has a natural sweetness like maple syrup.

This beer is uber drinkable and is a fantastic, complex beer that will not, no matter how hard you try, taste the same everytime. That is not because it's inconsistent between brewings, but rather because the taste will conjur up different memories and imagery everytime... it's that good.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2007 04:33:33 | More by wilwfu

beachbum1975

Ohio

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

Really unique black and orange label with the green "Alpha King" dropping hops into a fizzy concoction. Looks tasty without even opening it. No freshness date seen, pry off top.

Appearance- Pour a rich, dark amber/apricot with minial haziness. Pushing the color limit for an APA. No chunks or sediment detected, just a nice offwhite 1/8 inch head which hangs around and keeps you company.

Smell - Orange, grapefruit & sour pine mixed with an array of sweet malts. Smells like it's got a lot of hops going on, for a beer considered to be an American Pale Ale, and not an IPA.

Taste- Heavenly balanced spike of bitter citrus mixed with sweet toasted malts. Hints of caramel and grapefruit, as well. Slight alcohol on the finish.

Mouthfeel - Yum,medium body with just the right amount of carbonation. Hop wax sticking at the back of my throat for a few minutes after drinking. Super refreshing.

Drinkability - Delightful. If you are ready for a beer that pushes the flavor limit on a traditional American Pale Ale, this is the one.

I can drink this all night long, very enjoyable. No wonder it's Three Floyds flagship beer. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2008 02:36:44 | More by beachbum1975

whoneeds8

Texas

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

Big thanks to beereality for the beer.

Pours out to a transparent bronze. Nice offwhite head with good lacing. Smell is interesting, I don't know how to describe it.

Initial taste is nutty. Then the sweet malts hit your palate. Ends with a very fruity hops taste to stay in your mouth. Bitterness doesn't come around until well after your sip.

Texture seems a little thick, compaired to water.

All in All, this is a very fine well built beer. It's a damn shame that it's not available in Texas.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2008 03:11:14 | More by whoneeds8

DIM

Pennsylvania

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

a: This was a clear golden color with reddish cherry highlights. It was served to me with a thick, creamy white head that lasted until the glass was empty.

s: Wave after wave of fresh citric hops. Wonderful!

t: This is as perfect as a one dimensional beer can be. Just a fresh, citric hop blast. Nothing subtle and very little malt backbone.

m: Bless the Brass Rail for serving this at a proper temperature. I've never had such a creamy pale ale. It also had a nice, sticky, resious feel.

d: What a tease. I find my new favorite pale ale on-tap at the Brass Rail, and now I might never find it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2008 01:06:20 | More by DIM

Chaney

District of Columbia

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

I've always told people in the past that if the world were going to end tomorrow and I had to pick one beer for the higher power to save, it would be this one!

A: I can't get enough of that caramel/orange, frothy, hopfest before my eyes. About a 1/2 inch beautiful head and nice, yet subtle retention throughout the session.

S: Whenever I stick my nose down in that glass on this one, I immediately detect that signature FFF hop profile that everyone talks about. It has this very fresh, ultra clean cotton scent (maybe it's the filtered water), and mango, grapefruit, orange to boot.

T: I was walking out of a Whole Foods market one day after buying a pomegranate Lychee Green Tea and after the first sip, I paused in my tracks and said to myself, "This.is.Alpha.King!" Yes, to my mind and tastes, this tastes like pomegranate upfront, followed by the other ingredients that I also got on the nose. Whenever I take a sip, I like to just hold it there and absorb the taste and aroma at the same time. Candy elements such as Pixie Stick dust and the caramel center of a Payday bar are also present.

M: The coating on the palate (and glass) are fantastic, the sweet caramel thickness is remarkable, and the bubbly carbonation is second to none!

D: It's not every day that a beer gets it's own competetion named after it ("Alpha King Challenge" at the Great American Beer Festival). That speaks volumes as to the respectability of this amazing brew. It has always and will continue to be.... my favorite beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2010 22:47:15 | More by Chaney

DNICE555

Connecticut

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

Poured out of a bottle into my pint glass. I've had the dreadnaught which blew my mind and I have a Dark Lord in my fridge. This will be my second FFF offering.

A - A darker golden color with an off white head.

S - Hops, floral aroma, citrus, just as nice as my college GF.

T - Nice level of hops for a pale ale. A subtle piney bitterness with a citrus sweetness to balance it out

M - Smooth, Crisp, Refreshing

D - Probably the best Pale Ale I have ever had. Very well done. I have loved their ipa and pale ale, cant wait to crack open the dark lord.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 13:00:25 | More by DNICE555

osusullins

Illinois

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

This is my go-to beer. I can't express how much I love this one. Whether you want to call this an APA or an IPA it suits either label. Just pure hoppy brilliance.

The beer pours a beautiful deep orange with a nice white head.

The nose is almost all hops. Lots of pine with some subtle grapefruit. As a hop-head, the smell just makes me want to dive right in, and I usually do just that.

The taste does not disappoint the nose. Hops is what you smell, and that is exactly what you taste. Tons of pine and citrus bitterness. Some malt shows up on the back end, but the palate is pretty hop fried by that point. lol.

This is the flag ship beer of my favorite brewery. I love this beer. Top 10 favorite of mine definitly. Thanks, FFF.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 04:03:14 | More by osusullins

Beerdregs

Minnesota

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

Picked up a growler the night before the XV party last weekend.

A: amber color with a orange hue. Carbonation was muted after a week in the growler but still grew a 1 finger head after an aggressive pour. As I am drinking it leaves a modest lacing down the glass.

S: Smells of piney grapefruit. Don't pick up any malt but don't fault them on this based on their hop forward reputation.

T: resinous citrus hop flavor with a modest but good balance of malt sweetness backing it up. Does not have an overly aggressive back of the tongue bitter.

M: This is a growler so again the carbonation is somewhat muted. I enjoy this though as it makes a somewhat dry beer a bit more slick.

O: This is my favorite pale ale style. This is the brewery that started the midwest craft revolution and for good reason. This is a wonderfully balanced beer and hopefully someday will be a session beer that I can enjoy at my local watering hole here in Minnesota!

Serving type: growler

11-19-2011 21:20:49 | More by Beerdregs

beerdown77

North Carolina

4.86/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

This pours cloudy amber and has nice fluffy head and good lacing. There are a lot of notable hops on the nose, surprising for a pale ale. The amount of malt is also outstanding, but not surprising once you've seen the dark color. This pale ale is delicious and crisp. There isn’t quite the hop presence that would be in an IPA, but the balance of strong bitterness and heavy malty sweetness packs a powerful yet sessionable flavor combo. The body is fairly heavy for a pale ale, but again, easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 00:15:19 | More by beerdown77

jj21

Wisconsin

4.85/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

From BA definition of a Pale Ale:
"...expect a good balance of malt and hops. Fruity esters and diacetyl can vary from none to moderate, and bitterness can range from lightly floral to pungent.

American versions tend to be cleaner and hoppier, while British tend to be more malty, buttery, aromatic and balanced."

This beer nails it. Crisp grapefruit tartness and smoothness are outstanding. Very floral aroma and balanced pallet make this beer the best Pale Ale I've had (yet...)

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2006 20:35:15 | More by jj21

marcpal

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On tap at Hopleaf, poured into American pint glass.

This should be labeled a high quality, highest of quality IPA. Maybe Magic hat could learn something because it seems their IPAs are more Pales to me. This was a great beer.

A: Light amber with great clarity and pillowy head.

S: Wasnt expecting the grassiness and citrus hops that pounded my nose. wow.

T: No, no no... this my friends, is a well balanced IPA in every sense. The malt was there and gave a hello but the hops are tremendously strong and delectable. Grapefruit as well as some lemongrass were terrific.

M: As clean as can be. Spiciness is substantial but leaves you the hop burps.

D: I love the ABV given the taste that represents the balanced hops of a stronger IPA. I compare this one closely to 60 minute, I can absolutely not wait to get a load more of this one.

This was a true treat and 2nd FFF experience after being let down by Baru. This was remarkable and I need to trade for some more and Im happy to say I packed plenty in my luggage to bring home with me along with some GBhead.

Updated review (June - 2008)
Wanted to revisit with a bottle that was sent via trade. The hops are just as present and pleasant. Truly a damn fine beer, even more IPA like than I had remembered. delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2008 16:34:08 | More by marcpal

hoppheadIPA

Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My absolute favorite beer at the moment!!!

Pours a hazy copper color into the pint glass with an agressive pour produces a creamy 1" head that dissapears quickly but leaves a medium lace around the glass as I drink.

Smell is like whoa!!!! Very hoppy, which I love so I was excited. Also citrus is very evident especially grapefruit.

Tastes just like I expected after smelling it. Hoppy, citrus, with a slight pine hint. Tastes like fresh cut grapefruit. My favorite tasting pale ale to date. Three Floyds is lying when they call this a pale ale. Should be an IPA. A pleasent bitterness creeps up after you swallow. I love the taste...

Sticks to the mouth perfectly

I consider this to be very drinkable. Wouldn't quite call it a session beer but wouldn't mind having 3 or 4.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2008 12:01:01 | More by hoppheadIPA

redblacks75

Iowa

4.85/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Apearance: A hazy amber, copper combination with a two-finger head that quickly dissipates, but leaves nice lacing as this one goes down.

Smell: Hops all the way, pine, citrus.

Taste: You get a nice citrus blast right away. Stronger than most pale ales I've had before.

Mouthfeel: It's a fizzy, refreshing feel in the mouth, with dry a finish.

Overall: If this was available in my area it would be my go to pale ale. This is my favorite pale ale to date. It is surely the most hop forward pale ale I have had, that might be just due to the freshness. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a quality pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 18:42:05 | More by redblacks75

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When I was first introduced to this beer, I was warned that it wasn't for everyone, and at the very least took some getting used to, after all "it's not normal." I'd already had an affection for the hops, and, well, it was love at first sniff and sip.
Years later, after the bloom of fresh infatuation has mellowed, how does the beer compare, especially after this tongue has met so many others, with abundant charms? That is what we seek to discover...
Perfect crimson-tinged nectarine hue, hazy, and blessed with a beautiful bed of froth up on top, leaving delicate lace, enticing the eye. Aroma makes matters worse for the thirst, big fruit, fresh hops, peachy, melon, orange, and, yes, mango, and more, a bountiful bouquet that keeps the nose happy and hoppy. Man, but I need a taste, though!
An explosion in the mouth, the hops are a bursting throughout, but so well buttressed by malt, that any bitterness is mellow and well smoothed out, after an initial bite, at least. Like chomping into a ripe tangerine, juice splashing on the corners of the mouth and dripping down the chin. Though hoppiness flows freely, and bitterness peeks through time and again, the mouthfeel is actually soft and luxuriant, body is medium, and the overall effect is a constant joyride for the palate. A lively and rewarding ale, and a real American classic, a jewel in the craft-brew crown. Count yourself lucky if you can grab these with ease.
Ah, I once had it on-tap around here...those were some fine days...
Thanks to jables for the reunion, after too, too long!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2004 06:44:03 | More by feloniousmonk

francisweizen

Australia

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-Tap @ McGradys! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Ahem....Dark red with a small white head that dies quickly (old keg?). Aromas are of piney hops, hops, hops, hops, a bit of bready malts, and some alcohol. The taste is hoppy up front with a lovely malt flavor in the middle and a dry, piney, after taste. The mouthfeel is thick for an IPA and the drinkability is awesome. At 7.35%ABV this one is a true killer! Wow, what an awesome brew from FFF!

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2004 23:58:07 | More by francisweizen

hero27

Iowa

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle.

Appearance: Pours a somewhat hazy golden/orange color with a billowing, fluffy white head. Sticky lacing residue on the glass that is there to stay.

Smell: This is a PA?? Am I not seeing the word "India" somewhere on the bottle?..I had to look at it a few times just to make sure. Definitely an IPA in style, but what the hell, no complaints here. This bad boy is loaded with gorgeous floral hops..

Taste: Metaphorically speaking, the dominant grapefruit hops have the malts handcuffed to the bed here. Being somewhat of a self-proclaimed hophead, this was indeed heaven on earth for me. This thing should have an American flag on the label, because it is the pinnacle of the great American hop flavor. Very lively in the mouth, stinging hops jump back and forth on the tongue..the bitterness running it's due course. This is why I drink beer...

Mouthfeel: Very crisp and refreshing for such a complex and strong taste. Clean finish and lingering bitterness.

Drinkability: Easy to drink is the understatement of the year. This can be found in my fridge year round, and is perfect on a hot summer day or just when you need a quick hop fix. One to be respected and definitely a treat for any beer lover. If you haven't tried it yet, track it down and do so ASAP. Still one my my all-time favs..

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2005 20:57:02 | More by hero27

badbeer

Iowa

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark copper color with a nice off-white head leaving lacing all the way down the glass. Starts off citrusy in the nose, but then hits you with a floral bouquet that seems never ending and always changing. I also noticed grapefruit as others have mentioned, there is also a slight maltiness in the nose, but hardly noticeable. On to the taste, the grapefruit taste came in strong, slight caramel for a second, but finishes with a lemon zest, a hint of pine is present throughout entire taste. Medium bodied and average carbonation level, pretty slick. Just a flat out good beer here, one of my favorites to keep around. Use caution with this one, once having one of these, you will not be able to taste much else in a beer until the following day.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2006 02:56:07 | More by badbeer

OStrungT

California

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I got this beer from MABZ as part of the 2006 Great Race BIF.

This beer pours a golden brown with a thin very light tan head. The head fades slowly, leaving thick laces.

This beer has a nice hoppy aroma. It smells grapefruit like. It has a piney aroma also. It has a subtle malt aroma. It smells quite floral also.

This beer tastes piney with hints of grapefruit. Behind the hoppy flavors, I detect some sweet caramel malt flavor. This beer tastes more like an IPA than a Pale Ale. The flavor is a plesent surprize.

This beer is very smooth. It leaves a piney aftertaste. It is carbonated to perfection.

I think this beer would make an excelent session beer. It tastes great, and couldnt get old. Also, at 6% ADV, I could put back a few of these. I think this might be one of the best Pale Ales I have ever had.

Thank you MABZ for yet another great beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2006 01:57:18 | More by OStrungT

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Into a pint glass, pours a beautiful golden copper, with a nice head that shrinks to a thin foam after a few minutes, with amazing lacing stretching down the glass.

Aroma is fantastic, grapefruit and other sweet light fruits, big on floral hops, and maybe a faint sweet malt backing.

Taste is equally exceptional, a burst of flavor, but not excessive or obscene, but a very balanced and even mellowing in the middle, leaving one able to sit back, swirl a bit, and ponder whats going on. My first thought at first shock and then through the rest is hops, fantastic hops. But, there is a subtle malt backing, just enough, that keeps the hops in check and from tasting raw, keeping it from being too bitter, only causing a pucker up front and toward the end.

Body is something around medium, slightly springy carbonation, but really just playing second flute to the flavor rollercoaster going on, which is completely right and good.

Now that I'm finding places in WI to get 3 Floydss, I think i'm going on a 3 Floyds addiction. I mean, if this is their pale ale, what is Dreadnaught IPA going to be like? I grinning with anticipation. Very nice beer, very impressed with 3 Floyds.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2006 01:44:44 | More by objectivemonkey

dreadnatty08

District of Columbia

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a crystal clear light caramel color. Off white plumes of bubbly head is formed, tracing impecable. After transfering my IIPA to secondary and getting a good whiff of cascade and centennial hops, this beer comes off as a hop tea, the aroma as fresh as those hops. A little sweetness is also detected in the aroma, but American hops dominate. Flavor starts out sweet with the hop flavor dominating. Lots of complexity in hop and malt flavor swirls around the mouth ending in a stab of bitterness. This beer is almost too perfect in the realm of APAs or IPAs whatever you want to call it. I've yet to experience one like it, but I hope I can make one damn close.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2006 18:13:11 | More by dreadnatty08

baos

Indiana

4.83/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Two fingers in my favorite Trappist glass, poured it from a bottle. A very nice dark caramel color.

S: Hops hit you hard. An awesome floral aroma that perks up your ears and make you smile. Citrusy, juniper bush, catnip.

T: Awesome hoppy bang. Key lime peels, Spicewood leaves, and lemon balm leaves. I love this beer. I remember tasting it at a beer tasting in Bloomington, Indiana, and I ended up walking around with their pitcher drinking from it and throwing a handful of change in the the tuba of the German brass band that was playing there.

M: Very nice to roll around your mouth leaves the mouth a bit oily.

D: A bit potent, but i could drink this beer all night. Gets better setting in your glass and getting warmer, but is really good super chilled as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2007 03:40:12 | More by baos