Brandy Barrel Aged Alpha Klaus
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

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From:
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
 
Indiana, United States
Style:
American Porter
ABV:
10%
Score:
73
Avg:
2.85 | pDev: 28.07%
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
20
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 05, 2014
Added:
Nov 13, 2010
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by sbricker:
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Rated by sbricker from Illinois

3/5  rDev +5.3%

Nov 14, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by cwehr13 from Illinois

Sep 05, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by antoines15 from Indiana

Jun 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by birdsellam from Indiana

Aug 21, 2013
 
Rated: 2.25 by cadaugherty from Illinois

May 14, 2013
 
Rated: 2 by MordorMongo from Indiana

Jan 13, 2013
 
Rated: 2.75 by ObeMaltKinobee from Illinois

Aug 11, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by spycow from Illinois

Dec 13, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by tclapper from Maine

Dec 07, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by FievelGoesWest from Illinois

Nov 19, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by Scrumtralecent from Illinois

Nov 18, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by oline73 from Maryland

Nov 16, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by DocDownUnder from Illinois

Nov 14, 2011
Photo of jjm6187
Reviewed by jjm6187 from Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +51.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I normally don't go out of my way to write a review about a beer, but when I saw how poorly the Brandy Aged Alpha Klaus was rated I have to voice my opinion.

The beer isn't one of 3 Floyds top beers but it's most likely one of the best as far as a heart warming seasonal beer goes. The brandy may be too present for some, but considering that it's a Christmas beer it's quite fitting!

The brandy aging of the alpha klaus was a great idea, and it seems many have overlooked it's seasonal qualities a bit. It's a great beer that's not for those whom dislike liquor aged and higher content beer. However, when I had this beer; it was a cold winter day after a long day of work, the brandy aged alpha klaus was a wonderful warming experience around the holidays that and very much deserved the appreciation of holiday beer enthusiasts.

All in all, don't be deterred from trying the Brandy Aged Alpha Klaus; you're in for a seasonal treat!
Aug 30, 2011
Photo of fear025
Reviewed by fear025 from Illinois

4.29/5  rDev +50.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Tasted on 11/23/2010.

Aroma:Apple and Balsamic vinegar in the nose. The brandy really comes through.

Appearance:Black with chocolate colored head that has good retention.

Taste:Apple and booze, with some grape and strawberry flavors.

Mouthfeel:Medium body with low carbonation.

Drinkability:The brandy barrel really added a ton of complexity to regular alpha klaus, it's a totally different beer.
Mar 01, 2011
Photo of thetomG
Reviewed by thetomG from Illinois

1.87/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
Appearance is nice, but typical for the style.

Aroma smelled almost exactly like nail polish remover. Flavor was slightly more palatable, but still very hard to drink.

I generally enjoy almost everything I've had from Three Floyds, but this was pretty terrible - almost makes me wonder if something went wrong in the barrel.

As it warmed it became just a bit more drinkable, but because of the nail polish remover smell and similar taste it was a struggle for 2 of us to even finish the 8oz or so in the glass.

Not recommended.
Jan 04, 2011
Photo of cpetrone84
Reviewed by cpetrone84 from Pennsylvania

1.99/5  rDev -30.2%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Had on tap at Three Floyds on Thanksgiving Weekend.

A-pours a black liquid with a rich caramel colored head.

S-the nose is rough, tons of brandi and hints of wood give it a pungent odor reminiscent of acetone (strong nail polish remover). The Brandi is very sweet blending with a messy malt sweetness after the brandi settles.

T-much of the same, the base beer does come through slightly more than in the nose. The Brandi still dominates and is again sweet brandi. The wood melds with this and the acetone flavors are really pungent. Finally light notes of roasted malts make an appearance as some dark fruity malt sweetness and residual sugars make this an overly sweet mess.

M-creamy on the palate but pretty thin in the back. Carbonation is light and the finish is rather flabby.

D-this is pretty sloppy and rough, too much brandi and way too sweet. the barrel also killed the body making this a flabby mess. fun premise, barrel aging beers, but not for this beer.
Nov 29, 2010
Photo of paulozanello
Reviewed by paulozanello from Brazil

2.81/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5
Had this at the 3f brewpub in Munster IN.

Pours a Black opaque color with a beige head that falls after a while leaving good lacing.

Smell is....weird. Tart, with some dried fruits and lots of booze.

Taste starts out very sour and fruity (mainly grapes and cherries) and then transitions to some malt notes with a tad of bitterness in the end. This is a very strong and unnusual taste for a beer. Alcohol is very apparent throughout.

Body is very heavy and drinkability is very low. Carbonation is high.

A very weird/different beer with low drinkability. It is kind of interesting but I would not have it again for 9 bucks a snifter.
Nov 28, 2010
Photo of nkersten
Reviewed by nkersten from Illinois

1.75/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1
According to FFF, this is 2009 Alpha Klaus that took "a long nap" in brandy barrels. 10% abv.

Poured into snifter, pitch black with a thin tan cap that fades to the edges with some lacing. A good looking beer, but this is when the fun ends. Smell is overwhelming brandy. Slight malt presence underneath, but the brandy is so strong you can smell while the glass is sitting a foot away. The brandy overwhelms again in the taste. Some oak, a hint of chocolate, and lots of booze. A it of apple flavor as it warms. Alpha Klaus is one of my favorite porters and the brandy totally kills the base beer. Mouthfeel is heavy with a light carbonation, a chewy and sweet. Drinkability is a fail - unless you were expecting a snifter of brandy. Barrel aging should improve on the base beer, not destroy it. If I had a drain there is a good chance I would have poured this out. Tick this if you must, but I suggest saving your $9. Blah.
Nov 15, 2010
Photo of MrMcGibblets
Reviewed by MrMcGibblets from Illinois

1.56/5  rDev -45.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5
A: dark brown to black. No head or lace to speak of.
S: strong brandy. Cherry cough syrup, medicinal, household cleaning products.
T: saa. The brandy and alcohol totally dominate. If I was blindfolded I couldn't guess that a strong porter was the base beer.
M: seems thin despite the abv. Mouthfeel like a strong brandy. Minimal carbonation.
D: a swing and a miss. i love 3Fs, but noone at our table of eight could help to finish this off in two hours.
Nov 14, 2010
Brandy Barrel Aged Alpha Klaus from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 73 out of 100 with 20 ratings