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

Fux

France

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Golden copper with a small foamy white head
S: Smell is hoppy, fruity, with oranges, mangos. There is also a solid malty base, mainly biscuit, toasted bread aromas.
T: Taste is also very hoppy, with floral flavors. Also sweet and loads of exotic fruits.
M: Sharp attack on the palate. Very good carbonation very well balanced by the sweetness. Finishes dry, very refreshing.
O: A very nice pale ale. Refreshing, also tasty and well balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2013 21:51:20 | More by Fux

smakawhat

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on tap into a sampler 4 oz. taster at Pizza Paradiso Dupont. Way overdue for reviewing this one.

A good basic amber copper, with light light tan to off white color and leaving a solid collar. Good lacing on this drink while finishing, and fairly crystal clear very nice.

Aroma jumps out. Wonderful juicy orange with a nice sweetness. No hop bitterness noticeable, with a little white grass. It's very pleasant and inviting.

Palate is rich and full on first sip. Wonderful mix of mild wood hop and orange and tangerine citrus. Light hints of grapefruit with a spritzy hop feel and character. Palate is juicy matching the hinted bouquet.

Juicy. Full. Stupid easy to drink, and full of flavor. A great touch of juice and spicy finish quality. This is either way better on tap, or I had an old bottle cause this is nothing like I remember it.

Old review - bottle (4)(4)(3.5)(4)(3) ---

Poured into a pint glass resembling a really nice golden/brown color body that is clear. Cream off/white head with fairly tight bubbles and some minor visible carbonation. Real good head retention.

Standard bouquet but a good one. Simple citrus grapefruit with a sweetness and hop aroma. Very nice.

Upon drinking first comes a very hoppy front more in the standard of an American IPA, with a good finish. I keep forgetting this is suppose to be a pale ale but it sure doesn't feel like one. This is quite an okay drink but nothing here I would desperately want to have for an APA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 23:34:24 | More by smakawhat

DrinkMoreBigBeers

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

No date on the bottle.

A - Poured a 2 finger off white fluffy head with a amberish clear body. Look nice and well carbonated. Leaves excellent lacing. This brew looks frothy and thick when moved around.

S - The nose smells like a straight up IPA, with lots of Pine, with some citrus, slight garlic, and a distinct bready malt backbone.

T - Follows the nose well, pine forward, some spiciness that last throughout, dank resin, little citrus, grassy and a sweet malty breadyness balances this brew. However, definitely hoped forward with no detection of the alcohol.

M - Very soft medium full bodied beer that feels lovely in the mouth. All I can say is smooth and drinkable. Hops do bite your taste buds after awhile. Carbonation is spot on to offset the softness of this brew, well done!

O - Glad to have finally been able to try a Three Floyds Brew not to mention their flagship beer. This one definitely delivers full flavor for a Pale Ale and almost reminds me of an IPA with its characteristics. Even though this seems to be a huge Pale Ale it delivers and definitely does not disappoint, keep it up FFF! Oh I wish I had another one.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 23:19:13 | More by DrinkMoreBigBeers

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

real hoppy for a pale ale, more of an ipa to me. very red in color, not quite amber, but definitely moving in that direction, with a big rich tan head that doesn't fade at all. bold hop aromas are just blasting out of this, with equal parts forest and fruit grove. definitely some higher alpha acid varieties, this beer seems by the smell to be very appropriately named. the flavor actually does find some malt balance, despite the intense hopping. there is a sweeter yet dry American caramel malt going on, which holds up the hops quite well. plenty of citrus bitterness in the finish too, not lemony, but equally pungent. there is also a sort of woody character to this that I sometimes find in hoppy beers, not like its been oaked, but like its made in part from freshly milled timber. in any event, the finish is about an 7 on a 10 point bitter scale, strong but not overbearing. nice mouthfeel too, maybe a little dense for the style, but this is a style that's constantly in flux anyways. plenty of carbonation and a decent abv make this about the perfect 6pack beer in my mind. One of my first few beers from the much hyped three floyds, and it did not disappoint, although I can think of several American pales that are every bit as good as the alpha king here. still fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 17:24:02 | More by StonedTrippin

Brewganja

Illinois

4.89/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Hands down one of my favorite beers. It has a strong citrus smell followed by a fresh hoppy scent. It rolls down the palette, intoxicating and bursting with flavor. I have had the opportunity to have a glass from a cask at Three Floyd's brew pub and the flavors are more present than on the tap or in the bottle. Dont expect to like any "lite" beer after this gem.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 04:19:20 | More by Brewganja

DRyan

Texas

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a crappy little hotel tumbler glass from a too-cold bottle.

A: pours a ruddy orange with a decent white head that doesn't stick around too long but leaves decent lacing

S: great hop aroma, with a good malty backbone. This glass is really not codusive to this!

T: love. It's hoppy but not overly, malty sweet but not overly, just a great balance.

M: what I expect from a pale ale. Thin mouthfeel with light, zesty carbonation. Smooth.

D: very. Wish I had more right now!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 02:27:57 | More by DRyan

SlothB77

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

12 ounce bottle poured into glass

A: Dark copper with half a finger of milky white head, viscous and a little rocky.

S: Grapes, passion fruit and cut grass.

T: Slick sour taste, toast and honey. Lemony sour mixed with hedgerow.

M: Medium-body, medium carbonation, acidic, slick, sour and bitter.

O: This is a little too sour for my taste, but I am more of a fan of IPA's than I am of pale ales.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

03-20-2013 00:07:15 | More by SlothB77

hoosiersapper27

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle to glass.

Looks great...reddish brown ale color. The head of my beer was short, 1/2 finger with minimal lacing. I do believe this beer has some age on it though.

Smells fantastic...Citrus pines like a lime and pinecone crossbreed.

Its a good Hoppy ale. Im still new to the world of IPA's or Big hoppy beers but this one is actually enjoyable to drink unlike some.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 03:27:04 | More by hoosiersapper27

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Stone pint.

A- pours a dark golden with a 2" off white head. Big trails and cliffs of lacing cover the glass.

S- lots of caramel, some toffee, citrus and pine.

T- caramel, toasted malts, citrus, nice bitter pine finish.

M- medium body and carbonation. Bigger feel for a pale, slightly syrupy.

O- nice pale/ipa. Closer to two hearted than Sierra pale. Nice caramel and citrus, with good amount of pine bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 00:58:50 | More by kawilliams81

brewtus

Ohio

4.29/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours hazy copper with a fairly dense bubbly head that doesn't last too long. Smell s orange, pine, bready, lemon. Taste starts with sweet malt that makes way for citrus fruits and tropical fruits, some caramel, earthy, sweet hop profile, nice grainy backbone. Overall a very very drinkable beer, amazing balance of malt and hops, a beer anyone can love, but still has a distinct profile.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 00:42:44 | More by brewtus

blakelive784

Colorado

3.74/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to Docrock!

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a goblet, reviewed live:

A - Pours a murky grapefruit-esque red/orange color with two fingers of sticky cream colored head. Retention's very good and the head leaves tight lacing as it recedes. Appealing.

S - Heavy citric hops notes, blood orange, buttery caramel, grapefruit and crystal malts. Not one note dominates. No alcohol on the nose. Fresh and pleasant. Seemingly well balanced. Inviting, to say the least.

T - Opens with clean pale malts. Strangely a bit buttery. Musty floral hops that I didn't find on the nose are present throughout. Heavy citrus on the finish. Not bitter at all. Very well balanced. There's a light spice note near the finish I can't put my finger on (pepper?). Not incredibly complex, but well built. I'm having it.

M - Oily, slick, and smooth. Well carbonated.

D - Absurdly drinkable. I'd definitely get it again, if I was so lucky. My second beer from Three Floyds, and I can't wait to try more.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 23:39:27 | More by blakelive784

lunar276

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very good beer. Picked up one of these at the new Whole Foods in Kildeer. Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint. A very appealing dark golden color bordering on a red. A nice thin head carrying through. A different oily texture in the mouth. Smooth and bold hop flavor to start and finishes smooth. Very solid beer. I will definitely buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:13:39 | More by lunar276

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.99/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Type: 12 oz bottle
Glass: pint
From: Big Red Liquor in French Lick IN
Price: $11 a six pack

Appearance: deep orange, slightly coppery. pretty hazy. small off white head that fades slowly and lacing on the sides

Smell: Strong hops, mostly pine, some citrus. a strong graininess that doesn't quite take the backseat to the hops

Taste: Opens up with hops strong pine with some citrus sneaking in. The grains take over in the form of toasted malts. the two tastes are well balance and neither comes out the clear king.

Mouthfeel: a tad to sticky. lingering bitterness. medium body good carbonation

Overall: a pretty tasty hop-strong pale ale. not quite an amazing beer. I'd like a bit more citrus but another solid from a brewery that should expand to Michigan, now that they have added Ohio

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:36:53 | More by SportsandJorts

sbxx

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Didn't have time to do a full-on analysis, but I'll sum it up quickly -

Both a great looking and great tasting pale ale with tons of flavor that goes down clean and smooth. Bold hop character with background malt that balances it out. This is FFF's flagship brew for a reason.

Great stuff!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 08:34:09 | More by sbxx

Rainblows

Illinois

4.34/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Had on cask yesterday at the FFF brewpub. 10 oz pour into a nonic pint, amber colored with a beautiful whitish head that laced the whole way down. Smooth mouthfeel, almost undercarbed. Hops are almost understated yet balanced making Alpha King an easy drinker compared to Zombie Dust. One of my favorite regular bottlings from FFF, a treat to have on cask!

Serving type: cask

02-27-2013 22:22:56 | More by Rainblows

emyers

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a slightly cloudy amber color with a one inch creamy off-white head. Leaves a great lacing all the way down the glass.

Smell: Strong grapefruit and pine hop aroma balanced out by biscuit and caramel malts. While it's definitely hop-forward, I'm actually fairly surprised by the strength of the malt presence in the nose.

Taste: More pine and grapefruit up front (heavier on the pine) with biscuit and caramel malt balancing it out. Bittering hops have a strong showing throughout the tasting experience. This is definitely closer to an IPA than a pale ale, but it's 3 Floyd's, so not surprising. While it isn't overpoweringly hoppy from a flavor standpoint, the bittering hops definitely push this into IPA territory.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body, bittering hops make it very crisp. Highly drinkable.

Overall: All-around great pale ale (if you can call it that), and a very fitting flagship beer for 3 Floyd's. Even better when you consider the $35 price tag on a case directly from the brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 00:54:09 | More by emyers

jucifer1818

Florida

3.78/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

a: slightly murky, blond/golden color, with a clear body and a weak head
3.75/5

S: Sweet and fruity, with some sweet hoppy aromas
4.5/5

T: It starts off mild, then hits with a hard hoppy crack. this is odd, and it then quickly goes back to mellow, with minimal hoppy aftertastes
Odd, but intersting
3.75/5

M: offly wattery, but has a ok maltyness
3/5

Overall: I give this one a 3.5/5. It not bad, but it is a weird brew and I felt that it needed more definition.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 20:08:44 | More by jucifer1818

tectactoe

Michigan

3.94/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy copper color with a small, off-white head that settles pretty quickly and doesn't leave too much lacing behind. Aroma is pretty strong and pungent right from the start; peppery, earthy, and raw, dirty hops come up and smack your nostrils hard. Heavy, heavy malt backdrop on this one, almost so much that it's hard to refer to it as just a "backdrop" - it's nearly as strong as the hops. Just front the nose, this one smells a little stronger than 6.66% ABV, I'm picking up some slightly warm alcohol notes behind everything else.

Alpha King hits the palate and seemingly evaporates in my mouth. Slick and medium bodied with a boat-load of carbonation that starts to fizzle away as soon as it touches my tongue. Pungent grapefruit rind is the first flavor to pop into my head - raw, bittersweet, and certainly unadulterated. Some spicy, herbal, and leafy hops dance around the thick malt underlaying, full of ever-so-slightly toasted caramel malts. White pepper crowds the aftertaste, finishing alongside a light bitterness. A sweet, bready flavor sits heavy on all edges of the mouth - noticeable even minutes after having taken a sip. As strong as the hop punch is, the malt is nearly as dominant in this beer.

A nice tasty concoction of malt and hops, heavy on both and not holding back from much. Doesn't taste much like an APA, rather I think this one is more deserving of a malty IPA title. Either way, it's pretty drinkable and goes down easily. Maybe a tad overrated in my opinion, but good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 17:50:51 | More by tectactoe

Alextricity

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

*150th Review*

"Alpha King drink this beer all day!"

Well, I would if I had easy access to it. Anyway!

Appearance: A brown/copper color with a nice, bubbly, somewhat tan head. Lacing's patchy, but it has a great, clear appearance overall.

Smell: What do I say? It has a brilliant malty and hop balance. On one sniff it smells of caramel sweetness, and on the next it smells of hoppy deliciousness. Extremely inviting.

Taste/feel: Just an awesome beer. The most dominant flavor that I get is of a quality, caramel malt on the start. The finish is super clean, and offers a burst of fresh hops. Not only is this beer pretty much perfectly balanced, it has an outstanding flavor. There's virtually no aftertaste, which makes me want to keep going back for another sip. Alpha King's a worthy flagship beer at Three Floyds, and one of my absolute favorite beers overall. I can only hope that they ship this stuff to Michigan some day soon.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 00:27:50 | More by Alextricity

Rogorama

Indiana

4.69/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewpub. Kind of a three floyds forgotten gem here. The flagship beer that we don't have too often, we forget how good it actually is. The hops are balanced absolutely perfect with a slight citrus aftertaste. the 6.66% ABV is also a nice touch from the boys (and girl) over at three floyds. Just a great beer!

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2013 20:03:05 | More by Rogorama

theveganbrewer

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Much darker than I expected, dark even for a DIPA.

Aroma: Citrus hops, caramel malts, some combo of cascade, centennial, maybe columbus.

Taste: Citrus hops and toffee. Bitterness from start to finish, not too strong, not too weak, uniform.

Mouthfeel: Median bodied. The high carbonation keeps the sweetness down but it does seem really carbonated.

Overall: This is just as hoppy as a lot of IPAs so I really enjoyed it. It's a bit sweeter than something I normally drink, but the intense hop aroma and great balance make this a winner.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 07:03:48 | More by theveganbrewer

zrbeer1579

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Murky deep burnt red-orange with a one finger khaki head. Quite attractive.

Aroma: Citrus hops, little bit of grapefruit, and faint caramel bready malts. The overall aroma is kinda light. I was expecting a stronger aroma, but good nonetheless.

Taste: Citrus hops, citrus zest, little grapefruit. Little earthiness, and just a touch of spicy hops. A nice caramel and lightly toasted bready malts.

Mouthfeel: Median bodied and carbonation. Smooth. Bitterness in the finish is light and pleasant.

Overall: Good balance in flavors. As the beer warms, floral notes started to appeared in both aroma and taste. Very nice malt characters. It was little odd at first. Overall, Alpha King is a tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 05:05:02 | More by zrbeer1579

RaulMondesi

California

3.25/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Ok, well... I had an equation ready, set, and ready to go, but then Raul became distracted. Ok, now Raul is back, and he thinks he digs it. When all you drink is IPA's, a pale ale is a bit unsettling at first, but then you gotta realize what territory you are in. Like, when with a freak (IPA) you know you have to put the chains on the tires and get ready for a bumpy ride. But then when you get into a pale ale, you have to know that you gotta wine and dine her first. So, for Alpha King, if this was a lil honey, you know Raul would take her to In-N-Out first before looking for a good time.

Yep!

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 03:37:58 | More by RaulMondesi

themind

New Jersey

4.39/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My first Three Floyds beer and I am impressed. This beer poured a dark, unfiltered looking brown. The aroma was subtle but the taste..boom! this beer is a hopslam! has some bitterness and crisp carbonation. Alpha King is a high quality pale ale that has you begging for more...to bad I only had one.

Bottom Line: Great beer...period!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 00:12:58 | More by themind

barnzy78

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, no obvious date - had back-to-back with Three Floyds Zombie Dust for my comparison purposes.
Pours amber with a frothy off-white head, great retention & excellent chunky lacing is left on the glass. Aromas are juicy grapefruit & citrus, mild pine, bold bready, caramely malt character. Tastes are complex and plentiful with bready & caramel malt followed up with bold pungency of grapefruit & piny hops with a bit of a tropical kick at the end with mango & pineapple. Finishes semi-dry with some astringency. Medium body, nice carbonation. One of my favorite APA's. Borderlines on being an American IPA but I think there's enough of a malt backbone to be considered an APA.
This one wins just by a little in comparison to Zombie Dust.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 18:35:58 | More by barnzy78