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

MaltistLupulist

Maryland

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

On tap at Birreria Paradiso in Washington, DC. This is actually the third time I had this beer in the last week (first on cask and then bottled), which is a rare occurrence in these parts unless one is Paradiso-bound.

Appearance is in a narrow amber/copper range, more or less in keeping with the style if a bit dark. (I actually thought I was doing a preliminary review of an IPA as I scribbled notes at the bar; only when I left did I realize my error.) Normally I'm pretty oblivious to anything other than aroma and taste, but I can't help but notice some gnarly lacing as I proceed.

The olfaction detects citrus and pine to an agreeable degree; I wouldn't classify the aroma as 'intensely' hoppy, but floral lupulin certainly dominates the nose. It's almost as if a game of olfactory brinkmanship is going on: were this beer any more fragrant I'd be using words like 'burst' and 'explosive' to describe the aroma, but it keeps itself in check. This is probably my favorite aspect of the beer. It's kind of delicate, actually.

I'm a bit let down by the flavor, given my favorable assessment of the nose: citrusy, sure, but there's a pronounced grassiness that I find mildly objectionable and that I can't get past. Is it a cross-section of intermingling hop varieties that yields said flavor component? Perhaps a single hop variety is the culprit? At any rate, this grassy, almost horsy, flavor characteristic lends itself to an unrefined quality in this beer. This isn't necessarily a negative, but I keep thinking it's a bit rough around the edges, at least taste-wise. Also, made note of a passive biscuity malt presence, all the more a background factor due to my ambivalence regarding the lupulin performance.

Carbonation is moderate, allowing for a smooth but lively interaction with one's grill.

Drinkability is on the high side: little, if any, alcohol was perceived as I imbibed.

All in all, this is a better beer than I may have indicated in this review. I seem to have fixated on one (perceived) flaw that shaped my overall interpretation of the beer, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't mind having one from time to time.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2009 05:03:50 | More by MaltistLupulist

paco1029384756

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear orange color with a small white head.

Scent of citrus and hops with a hint of caramel. A good, simple scent with a good hop presence.

Taste of citrus, bitter flowery hops, and a hint of caramel. Finishes fairly hoppy and lasts for a decent amount of time.

Mouthfeel is light bodied and fairly smooth with good carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2009 21:07:36 | More by paco1029384756

tronester

Oklahoma

4.28/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass. Red/Orange in color with a creamy tan head. Super fine carbonation bubbles. Smell is a blast of Pacific Northwest hops. Taste is well balanced, caramel malt, piney, citrus hops, and a nice bitter finish. Super creamy mouthfeel, great drinkability. An excellent APA, tastes more like an IPA though, but it doesn't matter what the classification, it's great.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2009 23:27:24 | More by tronester

jkrich

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I have enjoyed this many times from the bottle; now, I tried it on tap at a local chain restaurant.

Poured a clear, copper color with a creamy off-white head with plenty of lacing.

Smelled strongly of piney, citrusy hops.

I was surprised that the ale on tap was actually far more restrained in the hoppy, bitterness of its bottled version. If anything, it was a slightly more balanced with the malt flavor lingering a little longer.

Creamy mouthfeel, moderate carbonation and medium bodied. It left very satisfying, rounded flavor in the mouth.

Both the bottled and tap versions are excellent with both showing slightly different characteristics.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2009 22:27:07 | More by jkrich

NeutroMan

Illinois

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

On-tap at the Yardhouse @ The Glen. Reviewed from notes on 8 June 2009.

A - Hazy dark amber with a thin head that leaves good lacing.

S - Big-time floral hops and toasted grains and caramel malt. Notes of apple and grapefruit as well.

T - Blast of hops, almost overpowering. Nice dry floral hop bitterness.

M - Light to medium body with slight carbonation.

D - A great sipper. High bitterness keeps it from being sessionable.

Simply an outstanding pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2009 19:34:49 | More by NeutroMan

beerhobo22

Nebraska

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

Very aromatic take on the APA. Lots of citrus hop aroma, but still had some caramel malt character. A light amber appearance with good head retention. Good, clean, hop flavor with a good balance with the malt. Tasted as part of a sampler, so it was less hoppy than the IPA, but still had a good amount of hop bitterness. The bitterness didn't linger and finished clean. Had a good mouthfeel, carbonation was just right. Even with the hops (68 IBUs) it was not overly astringent and was very refreshing. A very well balanced beer and definitely their "flagship" beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2009 18:07:29 | More by beerhobo22

SykDoc

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at Charlie's while in Munster for DLD '09 and took notes.

Poured into a pint glass. It pours an nice amber color with no visible sediment. An off-white 1 inch head forms and slowly reduces to good lacing.

The aroma is, as expected, primarily grapefruit with nice doses of pine in the background. Definitely hoppy.

The taste was exceptional with significant components of pine, as well as citrusy flavors, primarily grapefruit. And the hops shall set you free.

This was a very smooth pale ale. There is the sensation of a slight spice, which seems to come from the carbonation. It is medium bodied and has a pleasant dryness at the finish.

Overall, this is a very good beer and is well balanced. The flavors complement each other nicely and are definitely highlighted by the carbonation and smoothness.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2009 01:22:51 | More by SykDoc

Buschyfor3

Kentucky

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

20oz draft on-tap at Rich O's in New Albany.

A: Deep amber-orange body - really dark for a pale ale. Pours a thin white head that quickly dissipates.

S: The hops are really prominent up front, giving off a tangy, citrusy aroma. I am also picking up a caramel-like sweetness, rounded out by a faint malt profile.

T: When I took my first sip, I thought the waitress might have mixed up our order and brought me Three Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA because this beer has a pungent, hop bitterness that dominates the flavor profile like what I expect from an IPA. There is a really tart, citrusy grapefruit flavor. This tart, bitterness lingers over into a malty finish that is ever so slightly sweet like brown sugar or caramel, and a touch grainy like toasted wheat bread. However, the hops dominate the flavor profile, and the aftertaste is uniquely hoppy and citrusy.

M: Very light bodied even though this beer looks dark. Medium carbonation is decently crisp.

D: 6% ABV means I could definitely finish another 20oz draft with my meal without any problems.

Really I was kind of surprised by this beer. It was alot darker and alot more like an IPA than I expected - in fact, my friend sampled the beer and remarked by calling it a half-IPA, and I think that nails this beer on the head. Not that it was bad, I was just expecting this beer to have more of a malt profile to better balance the play on hops. Not a bad beer by any means and one I would have again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2009 05:12:21 | More by Buschyfor3

Sean9689

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - dark amber color, nearly brown.

Smell - Yummy...citrius smell that I really like.

Taste - Very hoppy, I like! Not quite the typical APA tastes...more like an IPA. A distinct aftertaste makes this brew easy to pick out if given blind.

Mouthfeel - Light and chewy...this beer bites back!

Drinkability - Very easy to drink...

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2009 17:20:44 | More by Sean9689

BringusKilkenney

Virginia

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

This is a very good beer i loved it alot and was well worth the trip to chicago for it.
Apperance-light brown in color and light in the head when served slightly foamy not to much to distract you from this good beer.
Smell- Smells of well most brown and light IPA's citrusy and inviing.
Taste- This is where you really get into the good beer. It tasted amazing and really brought you to want more and more. citrus and malty hints at the same tame quite a unique beer and i can understand the cult following.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2009 03:24:32 | More by BringusKilkenney

brewdoc75

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I tried to find this when I was in Chicago this week, but nobody had it in bottles. I was told there was something wrong with the bottling lines and it would be a few weeks. My last night there I stopped at the Hopleaf and sure enough they had it on tap.

A-Golden-yellow-orange in color. Nice white fluffy head.

S-Beautiful bouquet of hops. Floral is the best description I can give. Plenty of citrus aromas. I even get a slight grassiness, but in a good way. The malts are there too with a faint sweetness.

T-This beer slams you with the glory of the hop, but not in a bitter aspect. The beer is really not that bitter at all, but the hops do really come out. I got a lot of citrus flavors like orange, tangerine and grapefruit. Additionally there was a nice fruity, ester component. The malts added a slightly biscuty-sweet backbone to the hop flavors. Really flavorful for a APA.

M-Crisp and clean. Reasonable carbonation.

D-A really good APA. Really it seems like an IPA in the hoppy flavors, but not the bitterness. It reminds me a lot of Two Hearted Ale in its hop bouquet. Really drinkable, but the price may turn me off a bit (6 bucks a pint). Hopheads must try.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2009 13:47:02 | More by brewdoc75

Hophead101

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

had on draft at Brass Rail Beverage on 11.13.08.

Wow - couldn't believe it when I went into Cisco's place and saw 3F Alpha King. I was quite excited as I have never had this one before much less on draft.

Great head in the pour. Immediately was screaming out my name waiting for me to take my first sip. The head was very thick and bubbly and the beer had a nice brownish copper color. balanced hop smell, thought there might have been a little more. it was soft in nature, a bit piney but not overpowering what so ever.

great taste. it definitely lives up to the hype. great feel on the palate, no real aftertaste. initially a bit crisp and carbonated that blends into a wonderfully creamy and smooth mouthfeel. great hop flavor, and an over superbly balanced beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2009 03:12:27 | More by Hophead101

michdmb

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A great IPA. All of Three Floyd's beers have a certain sweet/malty characteristic that is not quantifiable. This beer is no exception. I am a fan of IPAs, and this one keeps calling me back.

Hoppiness is sufficient, and sweetness is a definite plus for this beer. Both are balanced to perfection. I have had Alpha King on tap and in bottle, and both are consistently good.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2009 08:12:27 | More by michdmb

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

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

P: Served on-tap @ Nessun Dorma on 1-21-09.

A: Dark, blood-orange amber with an impressive white head and gorgeous lacing that sticks.

S: Citrus fruits, floral hops, and subtle hints of malt.

T: Aggressive hop character with more than enough mellow malt flavor to smooth things out. Juicy citrus hops judiciously balanced with suggestions of caramel, honey and biscuit. Finishes with a genius amount of hop bitterness: biting, but not overwhelmingly assertive.

With a taste profile more akin to an American (West Coast, at that) IPA, Alpha King is one of the hoppier APAs I've had the privilege of experiencing.

M: Medium-bodied with a creamy, yet moderately chewy mouthfeel. Slightly salty on the palate.

D: At 6% ABV, Alpha King is more than accommodating. Drinkability? Ermm...let's just say I had more than three.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2009 15:05:26 | More by CaptainIPA

ryrust5301

Louisiana

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

On tap at the map room in Chicago

Appearance - A hazy copper color with some orange highlights to it. Head is thin and an off white in color. It sets up camp and sticks around for the long haul with a nice touch of lacing.

Smell - Hoppy but does not get carried away. A honey malt helps to give the hops a little more character, and something to prop themselves up against.

Taste & Mouthfeel - Hops are citrusy and somewhat biting, with a grapefruit flavor to them. Malt is of a sweet caramel honey flavor and once again provides a good anchor. A smooth and wonderful feel to it that doesn't crush the palate.

Drinkability - This beer is legendary and is a staple at the map room at all times. Was excited to try it, and thought it was good enough to have earned it's respect. I wasn't awwed, but would have no problem having this as a fixture in my house.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2009 06:39:39 | More by ryrust5301

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

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

Had this in Warsaw, Indianna at the Downtown. It was on special for $1.00/pint, which is unbelievable.

A - The beer pours a beautiful copper color with a 2 finger, tan head.

S - The smell is bold with aromas of tropical fruit,citrus, pine, roasted malt and floral hops.

T - The taste is quite complex and delicious with citrus, yeasty bread and mild caramel; marvelously balanced by moderate bitterness. The aftertaste is quite nice with lingering sweetness and bitterness.

M - The carbonation is high and the mouthfeel medium.

D - I really enjoyed this brew and would seek it out again. It's one of the finer American Pale Ale's although I tend to like the bigger shot of bitterness you get from IPAs.

Notes: Had this on-tap again on 2011-06-29 at the Chicago Street Pub in Joliet, IL

I still agree with my comments above but will add this beer doesn't have a bright citrus taste but it leans in that direction. It sits somewhere between the APA and IPA camp.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2009 18:14:47 | More by Tucquan

dakid618

Illinois

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

From keg into pint glass. Half finger of soft white head. Good lacing on glass. Smell is very much citrus hops. Taste is great! Citrus hops and biscuitlike malt are perfectly mixed. Light dry mouthfeel is perfect. The most drinkable pale ale I've ever had. An absolute amazing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2009 23:31:38 | More by dakid618

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A-Brilliant copper with a medium off-white head that reduces to a thin cap and levaes nice lacing.

S-Smack of pine dipped citrus hops. The hops are without question the at the forefront of this brew. A nice backing caramel sweetness comes in on the backside.

T-Sharp, brilliant citrus hop bite with a backing of tart apple. Smooth, luscious caramel malt acts more as hop delivery system rather than balancing the hops. The malt smoothness and hop bitterness are almost in perfect sync.

M-Medium bordering on medium-light bodied with a sharp lingering hop bitterness and a nice smoothness.

D-This brew that blurs the lines between an APA and IPA is about as good in flavour as a mild ABV hop bomb can get. This stuff is absolutely lovely. I could put dwon pint after pint of this liquid nectar without any problems.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2009 22:47:29 | More by Deuane

HIFF

Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On a recent trip to the Three Floyds brewery with bheilman and swiftymcbeer I had the chance to try this gem. I don't know if it was the excitement of being at the birth place of this brew or what but I must say this truly is the king of pale ales. Much darker in color than I would have guessed with a frothy head that left a nice stache on your face. Slightly hoppy smell with tones of citrus. Great classic pale ale flavor. Hoppy, carmely, orangy, fruity, bitter all the good stuff. This pale ale is a true pleasure to drink and I would highly reccomend it to anyone who enjoys this style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2008 20:00:12 | More by HIFF

SwiftyMcBeer

Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this from draft at the Trion in New Haven.
It's suprisingly dark for a "pale ale" and this coupled with the intense hoppy aromas let's you know you are dealing with a serious brew. Taste is burly with sharp flavors up front and smooth on the finish. For some reason this reminds me of Stone's Ruination, and yes, I know the styles are different. Maybe it's just the up front machismo that both of those beers deliver. Whatever the case, this is a fantastic beer. Of the 3F's that are available all the time, I put this right behind Gumballhead. On tap, this actually gets the slight edge, the Gumballhead seems to shine a little brighter out of the bottle. Either way, that is a potent one-two punch from the crew up in Munster, one that can stand up to any brewer in the nation.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2008 18:35:42 | More by SwiftyMcBeer

pumarocks

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on draft at the Beer Cellar in Indy. This is a serious beer. It has a significant hoppiness that made me think it was an IPA rather than an APA. It has a citrus flavor with spiciness and a dash of sweetness. It smacks you in the mouth before it is done with you. I will be visiting Three Floyds the next time I am in Chi-town. A very very good brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2008 23:07:46 | More by pumarocks

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

rye726

Colorado

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

Pours an orangish copper color with a thick tan head. The nose has a big bouquet of fruity and floral hops along with big fruity malts. Taste is also an explosion of citrusy hops over sweet bready malts. A medium body is nicely carbonated and goes down quite well. A very well made brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2008 00:09:00 | More by rye726

jtothamo

Indiana

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

Normally, when I sit down at my favorite pub, the bartendar knows that I will order one of two beers. But, this past week, I was feeling a bit bold and decided to embark on an adventure and have only consumed beers that I have not had before (or in quite some time). While on this adventure, I found myself into a beautifully poured pint of Alpha King.

A- A cloudy, light copper color. A nice, airy small head that quickly fell.

S- Hops were quite noticable- then took in a fruity and floral aroma and something that reminded me of being in the woods.

T- I think the fruity smell influenced my ability to taste this beer. So, a decent amount of fruit and hops on the front end...a bit pine-y on the back.

M- Low carbonation- easy but somewhat dull.

D- Delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2008 02:49:56 | More by jtothamo

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a clean copper color with a white head. In the the aroma, big citrus/ grapefruity hops. In the taste, sweet, grapefruity hops and a nice balanceing maltiness. A small bite and medium mouthfeel, with a citrus/ grapefruity hops in the aftertaste. Big hops and mellow for a pale, easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2008 15:49:23 | More by OWSLEY069