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

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours out clear amber with a huge, rocky white head. A good deal of lacing on the glass. The aroma is a burst of fruity hops that smells amazing. Extremely fresh hop flavor, and plenty of it. I agree with one of the other reviewers of this beer who wrote that he tasted peach and mango. This is no mere hop bomb without the malt to back it up. There is a nice malty sweetness that complements the hop. No sign of the 7+% abv, as this goes down so easy. This is classified as a pale ale, but it's one the most unique beers I've had in recent memory. Having previously tried the Gumballhead and the Alpha Klaus, Three Floyds is quickly becoming one of my favorite American breweries.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2005 04:04:16 | More by beveragecaptain

warriorsoul

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to IrishMike for this awesome rarity in my neck of the woods.
Pours a real nice dark copper w/ a full frothy tan head...the lacing is thin, but holds on nicely.
Smell is a nice, sweet blend of fruits...oranges and tangerines come to mind. Nice detection of malt as well...smells very inviting.
Damn...this stuff is scrumptous!! What a fresh blast of hops, malt, and caramel...the best Pale Ale I've had to date. Of course, it is no surprise I like hops...and this one is more hoppy than some IPA's I've had, but it is blended so magically w/ the malts, that it can call itself an APA.
The mouthfeel is sublime...so refreshing and just the slightest bitter aftertaste, but it is the sweet malt that sticks with you.
I could enjoy this beer for an entire evening...one of the best I've tried to date in this, or any style.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2005 01:15:50 | More by warriorsoul

Brewfan

Connecticut

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Chilled to around 50. Should warm up nicely.
Poured from a bottle into my daily-used chalace from cooperrip.
Strong floral and hay aroma immediately hits my nose. No head really to speak of, even though I poured it a bit rough. Nice lace still clinging to the glass 15 minutes after pouring.
Beautiful clean copper color. No haze at all. Quite crisp looking.
As for the taste...WOW. Beautiful hop balance with some citrus notes. Definate "farmy" grain taste. It's like what a fresh mowed hayfield should taste like, minus the dust and bugs.
Warming up now and it's getting better (no surprise there).
Mouthfeel is relatively medium. Beer moves around the mouth nicely, then quietly exits just in time for the next sip.
Beautiful pale ale. Well done. Thank god I'm finally able to get this over here (CT by way of RI).
Up next - Robert the Bruce...

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2005 01:09:49 | More by Brewfan

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

GClarkage

California

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

07/30/05- Received from a purchase at Archers Liquors.

Presentation- 12oz bottle with no dating. Poured into my Shipyard pint glass.

Appearance- Darker golden color. Nice 3/4 inch head and average lacing.

Smell- Huge and I mean huge grapefruit hops. That's about all I can detect because the hops overpower everything else.

Taste- Wow, this is one damn good Pale Ale. Starts off with a huge fruity blast of hops and finishes with a nice smooth semi dark malt flavor.

Mouthfeel- Moderate carbonation, heavier mouthfeel.

Drinkability- I actually felt some of the alcohol kick in at the end of the brew. Not sure if I could session more than a couple of these. But, an amazing hoppy pale ale that I would buy again in a second if I could get my hands on it out here. Hands down one of the top two or three Pale Ales I've had. Maybe the best.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2005 18:28:05 | More by GClarkage

znarf

Wisconsin

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Being raise Roman Catholic, I have few favorites of anything. Three Floyd's has seduced me with their highly hopped beers. The easiest to find in Wisconsin is Alpha King. Recently I made a day trip to the Brew Pub and was happily surprised with the food. Already knew that the beer would be a treat.

All of their hopped beers are exceptional for my taste. Alpha King is not for the faint of heart. This is a hop lovers dream with a citrus punch and a strong bitter finish that pleasantly stays with you. Highly recommended for those who like unique ales.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2006 19:16:22 | More by znarf

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I've had this a number of times but never had the occasion to review it. This review is based on a some I had on draft at the Map Room. Poured an orange/amber with a thin head that faded to a ring that stuck around. Smells of fruity apricot, cherry, a touch of rhubarb, with citrus as a top note. The taste is beautifully balanced and fruity,similar flavors as those found in the aroma, with cherry, vanilla, and citrus being especially pronounced. Nice hoppy bitterness in the finish. Mouthfeel is smooth, perfectly carbonated, a little rich. My absolute favorite session beer.I would have this around all the time if it were available in my area.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2008 00:33:44 | More by Georgiabeer

rhinos00

Colorado

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured out of 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A- Dark golden brown color. Slight amount of white fluffy head that dissipated through consumption.

S- Smell of west coast hops and citrus galore.

T- Taste is in the same category as Pliny and Dreadnaught. Hops are very present, but not overly powering. Citrus flavor adds a nice balance to even out the strong hop flavor.

D- Medium bodied beer with little carbonation.

Wow! Three Floyds has impressed me again. This is a quality beer that can easily be mistaken for an IPA and still hang with the best of them.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2008 16:18:44 | More by rhinos00

brushtachio

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Coworker drove home a few cases for me from a recent extended Chicago business trip. I'm down to my last one (only one today) so I think I should review.

A - nice glowing amber color with a creamy, very light beige head

S - Juicy! Grapefruit, orange with a slight floral note. This is my kind of hop scent - it lets you know exactly what's coming... not exactly a "hop bomb" but a citrusy hop explosion of some sort.

T - Did I say Juicy? Take that juice and add a strong balancing malt backbone with elements of vanilla and caramel.

M- Much prefered this from the bottle over from cask - probably personal preference but the increased carbonation was a plus for me.

D - A guy can dream. During said recent trip to Chicago, this was my go-to beer. As a 300lb guy, this easily qualifies as sessionable at 6%. Not only could I drink it at every chance possible, I craved it. Case of a beer living up to the hype.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2008 21:32:10 | More by brushtachio

kels

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

It's quite surprising that I haven't reviewed this beer yet. It is definitely one of my favorite every day beers. Review is on a pour into a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a lovely toasted reddish brown with slight golden highlights. The liquid is slightly opaque, hazy, and shows good amounts of carbonation feeding a 2 finger foamy, rocky, cream-colored head. The head fades and retains solidly at a full finger or more, with tons of thick lacing blanketing the glass all around.

Smell: Smell is full of citrus and pine hops with the slightest hint of toasted grains/malts coming through. The smell comes through slightly sweet, slightly buttery.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Taste bursts with hops for an APA - toasted, dry grains and super-sticky grassy and grapefruity hops. The bitterness of the hops hangs in the back of the throat. The aftertaste reveals hints of caramelized malt and the slightest indication of alcohol. Feel is moderate, with enough carbonation to spread the flavors throughout the palate and keep the feel bright and refreshing. Stickiness remains in the aftertaste.

Drinkability: So high...this is one of those beers that's good whenever, wherever and with anything. I realize Three Floyd's take on most of their beers is hoppier than traditionally done, but they do hops very well - possibly best.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2009 23:34:15 | More by kels

schanker21

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Golden-brown. Clear with lots of carbonation. White, two finger head sits on top and dissipates a little, but a decent head sticks around.

S- Pineapple, lemon, orange, pine, hoppy.

T- Same as the smell, but with a great malt backbone to balance out the hopiness.

M- Good mouthfeel. Lots of carbonation makes this one refreshing.

D- Excellent. It's always hard for me to judge APA's because I have a tendency to think of them as weak IPA's, but keeping the style in mind, it's hard to think of too many ways this could improve.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2010 19:31:42 | More by schanker21

beerman207

Kentucky

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I LOVE alpha king - period. So...when my local beer store sent out an email that they had it on growler - I certainly added another stop to my grocery list this week.

A: Pours a dark orange with a fluffy head that has almost some hints of tan in it as it just slowly tapers off to a beautiful skim. This is what all pale ales should look like.

S: Wow. Like walking in a forest of pine trees. Citrus could fill the room. Smells sweet as well.

T: Hops up front, malt to mellow out. The perfect combination. Doesn't get much better than this

M: Creamy and easy to swig. A lot more balanced than the bottle - much more mellow.

D: I have a whole growler waiting for me tonight. I believe this will do the trick and the abv is just right.

Serving type: growler

10-31-2010 00:24:53 | More by beerman207

Netdigger2

South Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'll preface this by saying that this is my favorite all-time sessioner.

It pours a light red-walnut color with tight white head, medium lacing.

The smell is of citrus and pine hops, maybe some crystal malt.

The taste is hoppier than most mainstream ipas and incredibly complex with pine, citrus and resin, for not being a DIPA. Wow.

The mouthfeel is medium with great carb, very refreshing.

I could look forward to this as the last beer on earth, A+

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 00:23:13 | More by Netdigger2

matttttYCE

Arizona

4.8/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours with a bright and clear amber orange color and a nice foamy off-white head of about one and a half fingers. The lacing is nice and the retention is decent.

Aromas of citrus/oranges and grapfruit, oily and resinous hop juice, honey, floral hops, some lighter biscuity malt and caramel sweetness, and maybe even hints of mint and spicy hops in there.

The taste is of juicy citrus, grapefruit, and maybe even some papaya, floral and estery notes, moderate hop bitterness that isn't too much, mint sprig and spicy hop notes, and a mild but pleasant dry biscuit and caramel malt flavor to support all the assertive hops.

The mouthfeel is higher than expected for an APA, but nice. Solid medium or round carbonation, with almost a creamy consistency, a moderat nearly chewy body (in a good way), and a slightly dryer moderate length finish.

Alright, so I've had Zombie Dust, I've had Daisy Cutter, and now, I've had Alpha King. Three of the top five APAs at the moment. For one, I must say Three Floyds knows how to make an assertive, hoppy brew, be it APA, IPA, or DIPA. Secondly, I have to say that Alpha King is my new favorite APA, without a doubt. There's just something about it that rubs me the right way. The mouthfeel is wonderful, the hops are bordering on IPA territory, and the smell is absolutely great.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 19:32:52 | More by matttttYCE

SerialHiker

Illinois

4.79/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This thing is awesome, a total must have...a perfectly balanced pale ale, yummy caramel malts, delicious citrus hops...fluffs up so nicely on the palate...can't believe I'm here at the brew pub...one ff the tap is all i need, this would go so well with a round of disc golf...having a bit of a beergasm...

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2013 20:41:44 | More by SerialHiker

yelterdow

New Jersey

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

All of a sudden, this "rare" find is available in North Jersey! Purchased at Frontier Liquors in Hackensack ($8.99/6-pack) and I'm in the mood tonight for some good beer.

Served at just under fridge temperature in a pint glass.

Appearance- Glows a crystal clear copper/amber with a juicy two finger head that stands tall. Even after falling to a quarter-inch topper several minutes later, the lacing is sticky and dense. Terrific structure that remains throughout, I cannot imagine a more perfect APA.

Smell- Citrus and pine sap come forth immediately, but there is a sweet maltiness that counters and balances their performance with class. The aromas meld perfectly together, and grow even more integrated with time. Another perfect 5, without reservation.

Taste- Loads of grapefruit combined with bitter, pine tree and floral notes. Aggressive bitterness in the back of the mouth that begs for another taste, to be timed with the fantastic hop burps that result.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Slick, smooth, almost creamy. By far the best APA I have ever had, and this is number three for the evening. The hops never overwhelm, just perform. Awesome color, cling-for-dear-life lacing, super drinkability... FFF has wowed my ass. Great job, this is a must-stock always.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2005 04:36:11 | More by yelterdow

Enola

North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received as part of the Double Trouble BIF.

This beer is a slightly murky orange with a thin head and not much lacing. But the smell is hop heaven. Sweet hop aroma fills the air. Cirtus hints are present as well. This beer is what I think a hopped up beer should be. Sweet, bitter but not harsh. Just nice and smooth to make a very drinkable brew. Mouthfeel is silky smooth. The drinkability is high. In fact, the beer is gone before the this reveiw is even finished. I could certainly go for more of this beer. Off to add it to my wants.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2007 04:00:53 | More by Enola

bloberglawp

Quebec (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to tpd975 for this one on a recent trade!

Pour medium dark cooper with a thick white head that lingers around (pale ale?).

Holy crap, what a bouquet! Intense hops, then more hops, a faint buttersweet maltiness and more hops. Flavor is even better, its like drinking hop juice, there's also a hint of fresh mellon, a very intense floral note, generous citrus, slight spice.

And to top it off, its not overpowering like some hoppy ales tend to be, its incredibly well balanced and drinkable.

Man candy.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2008 02:25:20 | More by bloberglawp

roadhouse

Florida

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a deep orange-amber with a two finger head that dissipates into a nice coating on the top of the beer. Very fine particulate matter noticeable when held up to the light. Minimal lacing.

Aroma is very fruity and citrusy with grapefruit dominating. There is also a light orange aroma that I detect. Below that is some sweet malt aroma as well as floral and piney aromatics from the hops. Not an extremely strong aroma, but certainly very mouthwatering.

The taste of this brew is outstanding. Not only are the citrusy and piney hops abundant, but there is also a fairly complex malt backing that contains flavors of caramel and toasted malt.

Mouthfeel is fairly light, but closer to medium. This is one drinkable beer. Probably the most sessionable beer out there for hopheads, in my opinion.

Wow, what a beer. It's a bit on the bitter side but it's remarkably balanced with those sweet malt flavors. I used to think that SNPA was the benchmark for APAs, but now I think Alpha King takes the crown, no pun intended.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2008 19:27:43 | More by roadhouse

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

We need this stuff in Tejas!!

What can I say? This beer is money. Dark amber color with a peak-filled off white head. Citrus nose with a nice malty balance. Could easily be confused for an IPA...until the clean crisp finish hits you after taking a drink. Perfectly balanced, has a grassy taste and a perfect finish.

I really want to taste more of their offerings.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2008 19:07:27 | More by twiggamortis420

mrsoul12

Indiana

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow. This is like hops in a bottle. This beer has the aroma and hop flavor of a double IPA with the drinkability of a pale ale. BIG BIG hop aroma. A little out of balance and could use some more residual sweetness to even things out, but overall very good.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2008 17:30:24 | More by mrsoul12

mryuk

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

a-pours with a small head that does not stick around very long. Beautiful clear caramel amber color. A very nice looking beer in a glass.

s-bitter and with a lot of grapefruit. Strong smell overall.

t-strong, bitter, delicious, hoppy. This is powerful APA that keeps hitting.

m-fairly carbonated but it is light and sits well.

d-this is one of my favorite beers. It really works well as a session for someone like me who loves hops. This is an APA on steroids.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2010 22:24:42 | More by mryuk

Seumas

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

That massive whack of hops is what gets you. Yeah the body is really good: heck, 7.3 percent alcohol and alcohol never shows up in the taste profile. It's bitter, but not massively so, and while others have noted some sweetness, I never noticed it. Give me this over Arrogant Bastard any day.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2003 04:56:34 | More by Seumas

cerevisiaephilus

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

OHHH...me gusta esta cervesa! Its very good. The nose and taste screams Hops, hops hops. Malt malt malt. (In that order) Huge grapefruit bitterness that the malt attempts to balance, but has a hard time doing so, however it has a nice maltiness that isn't lost to the hops. The head was a bit small and the carbonation was low, but I think this was good as an overcarbonated hoppy beer tends to burn ones tongue pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2003 03:23:02 | More by cerevisiaephilus

kmpitz2

Tennessee

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This beer pours a golden amber color with head that just coats the beer. The nose is awesome. There is lots of grapefruit hops overlaying some mellow caramel tones and some orange peel tones. Nice nice and nice. The flavor is so nice. There is a great grapefruit hop, deliscious sweet orange caramel malt and a peppery and mellow hop finish. I really like this beer a lot. I like the Pride and Joy, but this is more my style. Sweet beer. The feel is moderate to thick...maybe a touch thin. Drinability is awesome on this one. I dig this beer a lot.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2004 02:49:24 | More by kmpitz2