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

Rainblows

Illinois

4.34/5  rDev +0.9%
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

Docrock

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Served on cask at Three Floyd's in an Imperial pint glass

A - deep orange brown in color with a nice thick 1"+ head. The lacing was so sticky it looked like there was masking tape inside the glass. The head dissipated to a nice 1/4" cap that remained there for the entire time.

S - a couple different citrus notes, grapefruit, orange peel, some earthiness and a bit of pine.

T - the pine and earthiness dominates over the citrus. Nice malt balance.

M - the carbonation is nice and the balance of hop and ABV is really spot on.

O - finally reviewed after drinking on - tap previously and in bottle several times. On cask seemed to really accentuate the carbonation, it was really smooth. This beer is always available but when I saw it on cask I had to give it a try, we'll worth it and as Three Floyd's "everyday" beer, its always a good solid option.

Serving type: cask

01-27-2013 04:05:09 | More by Docrock

jegross2

Illinois

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

Reviewing a cask-conditioned Alpha King from Three Floyds.
Score: 95

Drinking a fresh, cask-conditioned pint of one of my absolute favorite brews of all time.

Appearance: Pours a hazy, dark reddish-brown amber with three fingers of foamy cream-colored head that sticks around quite some time. Falls somewhere between opaque and translucent, but closer to opaque. Excellent lacing. 5/5

Smell: Roses. Floral, grapefruit and citrus hops. A little honey. Lots of malty, hoppy sweetness in the aroma. 4.5/5

Taste: Huge grapefruit citrus bitterness. Malty-sweet backbone. Hints of berry flavors too. Absolutely refreshing. Finishes with sweet oranges and hops bitterness. Yum! 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied, medium-plus carbonation. Finish is surprisingly dry for such a malty mid-palate beverage. 4.5/5

Overall: Alpha King is one of my favorite beers of all time. The cask-conditioned version of this brew is much maltier and less hops-aggressive than the bottled version that I have had a thousand times over. How do I know? I had a side-by-side taste test at the bar. This is one to seek out!

Recommendation: If you have not had a six pack of this stuff, go buy one already. For those who have had Alpha King before, I absolutely recommend seeking out the cask-conditioned version. I am about as big of a hop-head as they come -- I have a well-known soft spot for IIPA's -- but cask-conditioned Alpha King's creamy malt-for-hops tradeoff is absolutely divine. Alpha King is the best year-round American Pale Ale (sorry Sierra Nevada!).

Pairings: Medium-cooked hamburgers. Particularly the ones they serve at Kuma's Corner in Chicago. Also probably pairs well with an earthy salad with feta and walnuts. Could really add some kick to spicy foods.

Cost: $9.99 for a six pack, or $7 for a cask-conditioned 16 oz pour.

Serving type: cask

11-26-2011 05:47:07 | More by jegross2

coryking

Missouri

4.95/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Honestly, one of the best beers I have ever had. I cant believe that i havent reviewed this yet!

Dont know what to say. Beautiful orange/red color in the glass with a big sticky head that lasts forever. Smells like you just zested a grapefruit onto a hint of pine onto a little pumpernickel bread dough. Just fantastic! Taste gives you an upfront malty sweetness from the caramel malts with a hint of maybe some roasted barley and then a slam of fresh American hops. Bitterness perfectly balances everything out to make it perfectly drinkable. Mouthfeel is right under medium and fits perfectly into the balancing act. I love this beer.

One of my top 3 beers since I first tried it 3 years ago...

Serving type: cask

12-10-2010 07:49:09 | More by coryking

botham

Illinois

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

on cask at Lemmings in Chicago. this brew pairs quite well with a couple intense games of Jenga. pours a mildly hazy amber color with a single finger of super thick off-white head that retains wonderfully and leaves solid lacings.

aroma is of rich hop oils mixed with light malts and a solid smoothness that blends everything together. some mellow caramel malts show up upon a bit of swirling.

taste follows the nose with a wonderful character and a solid spiced hop quality that blends perfectly with caramel malts. a touch of crystal malt make the brew lightly sweet overall. very well balanced.

mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and super smooth with a solid hop character ad satisfying finish.

drinkability is solid. very well proportioned and easy drinking on cask. cheers!

Serving type: cask

12-01-2009 15:52:22 | More by botham

Bung

North Carolina

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

Cask at Clark Street Ale House in Chicago. Surprisingly dark amber pour with a cream colored head. Piney hops dominate the aroma of coarse, but some malt also. Taste has some nice caramel covered apple, citrus and the hops. Smooth mouthfeel, just enough carbonation, hand pull helps this of coarse. Finish is not overly bitter. Not a frequenter of pales, but this is the best American pale I've had. Three Floyds hop heavy style obviously works well with this.

Serving type: cask

07-07-2009 00:32:52 | More by Bung

bluemoonswoon

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pulled from a cask at the Map Room and served in an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is an impeccable looking dark copper brown with a thick and creamy one inch head that fades into a cap about halfway though the session and leaves behind a nice amount of lacing.

S: Smell is very subtle and very unlike Alpha King from the bottle, this beer seems like an almost entirely different animal. Mild pine and citrus with a good amount of sweet brown sugary malt greet the nose, you can already tell this beer is going to be something special.

T/MF: First sip is a bit unassuming but all that follow are pure hoppy and malty goodness. Super fresh pine and grassy lemony nuttiness, just about the freshest livest thing that has ever passed my lips. Mouthfeel is super smooth and creamy with just the right amount of hop bitterness and carbonation to hold everything together.

D: Insanely drinkable, one of the freshest cleanest tasting "Pale ales" I've had in recent memory. Alpha King is a must try from the cask.

Serving type: cask

08-14-2008 06:20:16 | More by bluemoonswoon

AylwinForbes

Illinois

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

We have had the Alpha King all over, in bottle and on-tap, at the brewery and other places, but I don't think we had it from the cask before. What a fantastic beer! Nice dark amber with a good froth in the glass. The smell is full, hoppy and floral. On the palate, all the good things of Alpha King are emphasized in this super-smooth and drinkable brew, floral hops, fruit, length. I was reminded of Fuller's London Pride and Brakspears (RIP) in particular as examples of a complex fruity bitter.

Serving type: cask

01-28-2008 22:51:15 | More by AylwinForbes

AudioGilz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My first cask-conditioned beer....the head was large and fluffy and the aroma was strong of citrus and fruits. The balance was amazing, a sweet malty mouthfeel among the strong citrus hoppy domination. The hop flavor sticks around past the very dry and crisp finish. What a refreshing and enjoyable beer. I've never had a beer with such a dry and crisp finish. Is that a trait of cask-conditioned? Not the slightest hint of the 7.3% ABV at all. This beer just came damn close to Two Hearted Ale as my favorite pale ale.

Serving type: cask

02-14-2003 11:36:27 | More by AudioGilz

TheLostGringo

Connecticut

2.26/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

Poured from a bottle into my Hill Farmstead chalice.

A: Pours a hazy copper color with an inch of head, just a touch of lace.

S: Aroma is sickly sweet, unpleasant to me.

T: Very malty, unbalanced.

M: Sticky, tough to drink..

O: Really disappointing!

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 00:58:22 | More by TheLostGringo

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

4.39/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

One of the few survivors (along with Gumballhead and Rabid Rabbit) of a shipment from IN to OK. My bottles of Dreadnaught and Panzer Wolf were not so fortunate to make it through the rough UPS ride. Sad...

A- One of the meanest looking pale ales i have seen. Pours a dark copper bordering on amber into my Spiegelau IPA glass. Creamy as can be light tan head of 1 finger. Lacing that is sticky as hell. The retention is equally impressive as a layer sticks around the whole time. Looks like I am in store for a great beer.

S- Tons of citrus notes all over the nose. Grapefruit, orange, lemon zest. Some bready character underneath. Touch of carmelized malts as well.

T- Hops all over again as the nose indicates. Toasted bread malts come through with a nice round of sweet caramel to support the hop platform. Nice amoutn of bitterness in the finish, but avoids any harsh astringency. Actually finds some way to be slightly clean and smooth.

M- Mid body makes this one a bit heavy for the style, so the drinkability is average at best. Fantastic carbonation though. Crisp and clean. Dry as expected.

O- Hoppier than most APAs, but quite enjoyable. A standard for the style. If there were no lable i would have assumed this one were an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 19:01:42 | More by Bosoxfan20

wiseguywood

Indiana

5/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is probably the best APA I have ever had. Pours a nice creamy amber with a very intense hop character. THe best I can find for this style. If you can find it, I highly recommend it. Since it's in my home state, we have pride in our Indiana brewer and brewpub.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:51:14 | More by wiseguywood

Rope

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance-
A copper brown, with a finger white head that leaves excellent lacing.

Smell-
Light floral pine, followed by a buttery malt.

Taste-
Strangely, I found it to start with the malt, move to the bitter side of the hops, then to the floral, then to the buttery side of the malt.

Mouthfeel-
Not as crisp as I was hoping, there is a heavier presence than expected.

Overall-
A flavorful APA that does not end the night.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2013 16:07:41 | More by Rope

screamking

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass.

This pours wonderfully, dark amber/copper color. Nice off white two finger head. Small lacing around the edges. Lots of orange peel in the aroma. Sweet dark malts hidden in their as well. Overall, the smell is very balanced.

The taste is balanced as well. Minimal hops but that is probably just the bottle I got. Malt notes overtake them. I have no idea when this was bottled, this could be a year old. I have no idea. Like always I review what I get, especially when the brewery doesn't date their bottles. Even with that said its a very good brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 18:38:39 | More by screamking

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.09/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

On tap at Apex for Gigantic Beer Week.

A: Nearly red with a thin white head. Fairly translucent.

N: Good nose with a pure pineapple and pine nose. A hin tof mango, some earth, and plenty of malt shining through.

T: Well balanced while leaning towards the hoppy side. Lots of biscuit, and plenty more of the pine. Showcases the hops well.

M: Dry with a round mouthfeel. It's quite light and very easy to drink.

O: Cleans out the palate while remaining easy to put back. I would have this any time, and I'm really glad I was able to try it on tap. It's strange how good Three Floyds is with APA and yet their DIPAs are at best, average.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 04:33:01 | More by writerLJBerg

GBallHead

Indiana

4.26/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Pours a nice copper/golden color that is a little hazy. Two inches of fluffy head that leaves a nice ring of lace as it recedes.

S- Very hoppy and citrus, but not overly so. Notes of pine and orange

T- Very interesting combination of favors. Hops, caramel, malt in an amazing blend. I'm very satisfied, one of my favorite beers from floyds.

M - It feels light to drink and smooth. Crisp finish

O- Impressed by this beer, especially for the price. It is nicely balanced, easy to drink and will make you happy. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:02:38 | More by GBallHead

JohnnyMc

Ohio

4.51/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Flagship beer!!

Pours out a nice, clear deep amber with orange hints and 2.5 fingers of an off-white head.

The aroma is full of orange peel, grapefruit and some pine hop notes. There is a decent amount of caramel sweetness and some bready malt notes.

Again, just like in the aroma it's more hop forward; big citrus notes, some grapefruit and pine too. There is a rather strong malt backbone of caramel that lends some sweetness to balance the bitterness and some bready notes.

The body is light-medium and the mouthfeel is decently creamy. It finishes very crisp and clean.

This is a great APA, but like most Three Floyds Pale Ales this drinks more like an IPA. It has a great amount of hops, but the amount of malt makes this easy to drink and really balances it out. A tad overhyped, but great. Worth trying!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:59:31 | More by JohnnyMc

magictacosinus

California

4.29/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the first beer by FFF I got to try on my recent trip to Chicago. It didn't disappoint! Poured into a tulip glass at the Map Room, located on the lower west side of town. Review is from my notes.

The color is a strong orange-amber color, topped with a large 3 finger of head that eventually dies down to a small ring, yet never seems to let go. Carbonation is very light, in spite of the large head. There's a ton of lacing on the glass, which is always appealing. The color emits a syrupy, slightly viscous texture. It may be the tulip here, but this doesn't look quite like any pale ale I've seen to date.

The aroma is filled with toasted graininess, oranges, plums (?!), and loads of dried citrus loaded underneath the beer. The graininess and lightly sweetened malt character definitely seems to be the focus here, but I've heard here and there that FFF is known for their wild hopped concoctions regardless of the style. Indeed, the hops here have a slight dried character atop the malts, but rather than remaining as a stereotypical "citrus" profile, they seem to meld with the malt backbone to provide juicy fruits from plums (still bewildered there), apricots, maybe a light dash of melon. Pretty awesome stuff in that respect.

The flavor consists of an initial malt creaminess and thickness, only to end in a citrus dry finish with all of the aforementioned fruits. This becomes ever more present as it warms up, but there is, from the very beginning, a syrupy, sticky texture that enhances the fruit profile. It's jammy at the finish, maybe a little floral, but it's definitely an orange-based, lightly caramelized malt combo that works in a very balanced manner. The beer is also very well carbonated, which further promotes balance and gives this its juicy texture.

What perhaps may be the most "normal" of easy to find FFF offerings, it's still quite different from pale ales that I'm used to. This isn't your cascade-focused pale ale here! The maltiness is very hearty, and combined with the very pleasant range of hops, it's far more juicy and zesty as a result. I really enjoyed this – its balanced nature could make this *the* go-to pale ale in my fridge year-round if I could only get this out West. Glad I got to try it at least!

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2013 04:18:46 | More by magictacosinus

beersnob_kyle

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

this is a great beer that i can get at pretty much any liquor store in my city!

A: golden in color with a white head that disappeared almost immediately

S: hops, citrus, lime, pine?

T: great balance of the hops, citrus really shines for me in this part.

M: carbonation, bitterness, greatness.

O: ill keep it in my back pocket but if you have never had it then pick up a 6 pack and give it a go, you won't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 00:09:50 | More by beersnob_kyle

mscudder

Georgia

4.21/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint.

A - Copper hue with a thick frothy head. Retention and lacing were both superb.

S - Pale malts, citrus, touch of lemon and mild hops.

T - Lots of malt for balance and a ton of citrus hops. Noticed some grapefruit and slightly sweet tones as it closed.

M- Medium body with good carbonation.

O - Really enjoyed this one. Could throw back a few with ease if the time were right! Sadly, I notice I am in GA, and this is outside of their distribution.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 21:32:35 | More by mscudder

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.31/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

served out of a growler

this is a very tasty pale ale. hoppy like an IPA, but not typically so. sweet woody malts, pine tree and earth bitterness, dark fruits and toffee syrup. smell is very hoppy, feel is lightly carbonated and milky.

my first 3F beer, and it was excellent

Serving type: growler

04-18-2013 07:13:02 | More by jimmah120

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

tbryan5

Louisiana

4.49/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to griffeyb for sending me this one to try.

12 oz. bottle poured into a tulip.

A- 1.5 - 2 finger head that steadily dissipates. Deep, rich copper. Almost red in color. Lots of lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- The light fruit aroma hits up front but is immediately followed by the gorgeous hop aroma that is characteristic of an APA. It is very pleasant.

T- Same as the smell. The sweet fruit is up front followed by the bitter hop characteristics. They mesh really well here though.

M- Light to medium carbonation. It coats the tongue for a second after every sip. Even more so ad it warms slightly.

O- Excellent APA. If I could get this around here I would definitely pick this up again. And as a side note, three floyds bottle artwork really jumps out at you. Truly a great beer...

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:11:37 | More by tbryan5

macrosmatic

Florida

3.64/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to Irishace9 for this bottle! Reviewed from notes. Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Russian River pint glass.

A: Pours a deep copper, mildly hazy, with a 1.5 finger white head. Visible carbonation on the low side.

S: Light grassy and pine hops, sweet bready malts with a touch of caramel.

T: Follows the nose, with the addition of some citrus rind hops. But the caramel and toffee malts seem more dominant than the nose would suggest. Moderate bitterness for an APA in the hang.

M: Heavy body for an APA, moderate alcohol presence, and decent carbonation.

O: Honestly, too much caramel malt and too big of a beer for the claimed style. It's a somewhat above average IPA, I think. But FFF misses the target here.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 22:15:00 | More by macrosmatic

kojevergas

California

3.85/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Expections were very high given its reputation. I dig the label art. 12 fl oz bottle acquire for $6 at Hopleaf in Chicago and served into a pilsner glass. Reviewed from notes taken in March 2013.

A: Pours a one finger beige soft head of good cream and thickness, and very good retention. Body colour is a clear vibrant amber. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Translucent. Well executed for the style.

Sm: Timid floral hops, light nectary hop character, and light hop oil. Pale malts. Very fresh; I pick up a hop nugget just smelling it. A mild strength aroma. No yeast character or alcohol is detectable.

T: Tropical bright fruit esters, floral hop character, light nectary character, and hop oil. Balanced, but the tropical fruit (banana, mango, perhaps passionfruit) doesn't suit the style or the build as well as it could. Evocative and tasty, but there isn't impressive depth of flavour here. Well executed and refreshing. Good pale malt body.

Mf: Smooth and wet. A bit oily. Good carbonation, if slightly overdone. Good presence on the palate.

Dr: Highly drinkable for the style. Hides its ABV well. I'd get it again. I can see why it's coveted; it's pretty good stuff. Mostly lives up to its reputation, but I wouldn't say I'm blown away by it. Solid for a pale ale. Another impressive beer from Three Floyds. I'd definitely get it again.

B+

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 20:40:33 | More by kojevergas