Alpha Klaus Christmas (Xmas) Porter - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

Docrock

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into FFF .5l glass:

A - dark brown with a healthy tan to light brown frothy head that slowly dissipates leaving nice lacework.

S - nice roasted malt with a bit of christmas tree pine scent. A bit of dark chocolate and burnt malt.

T - nice roasted malt up front with a touch of hops on the end, the chocolate and burnt malt aroma carry through nicely as the beer warms a bit.

M - solid carbonation, medium body.

O - a treat for a Holiday beer. have had it fresh and aged, prefer it on the fresher side. nice bottle to share over the Holidays!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 16:58:55 | More by Docrock

JohnnyMc

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A Christmas seasonal!!

Pours out black with a nice 3 fingers of mocha/tan head.

The aroma is extremely hoppy, there is a ton of burnt sugar (probably the Mexican sugar) and some subtle chocolate notes.

The taste is pretty bitter with a bunch of grassy, piney hops followed by a bitter burnt sugar (again, probably the Mexican sugar) and finishes with subtle chocolate and coffee notes. There is really no sweetness to balance the beer and it finishes pretty dry.

The mouthfeel is creamy and it has a medium body.

This is not your typical Porter (which Three Floyds points out on the bottle), but I'm not a huge fan of it. I would like a little sweetness to balance out all the bitter notes and the coffee and chocolate notes could be more pronounced. It's an interesting beer, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 23:58:44 | More by JohnnyMc

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Binny's, Schaumburg, IL
Date: None
Glass: Tulip

Three Floyd's Alpha Klaus is a hop-forward American porter, with focus on the hops growing as the beer warms. Charred or roasted malt mixed with pine (primary) and grapefruit (secondary) hop characters are the dominant characters of this beer. The feel of the Klaus is somewhat thin, appropriate for a porter, but perhaps too much so for a 6% ABV beer. Ultimately similar to their Black Sun Stout in many ways, for ample pine-like hop flavors mixed with chocolate malts, I'd choose the brewery's Black Sun Stout over this in general, I think.

Pours a tall, 2.5cm head of dark tan to light brown bubbles, small in size, very dense in appearance. Retention is average, lasting a bit over a minute, as the head settles to a thin cap atop the body, thicker around the sides. Lacing is slightly above average, the head leaving many small dots, and a few larger clumps, of foam along the perimeter of the glass. The body is dark brown to black, opaque, with carbonation not being visible through the void of color.

Aroma is of some papery ash with fainter roasted malt and chocolate notes, which are mixed with mild pine and grapefruit-like hops. The result is a bit like inhaling the smoke from a pine-scented cigarette, not altogether pleasant, though not too unpleasant, either. In general, I'd say that the beer has a bold aroma, which I'd expect from Three Floyds, but it is not one of their better-smelling creations.

In taste, Alpha Klaus is not so much about alpha acids as it is about fairly balanced chocolate malt with pine-like hops. The front of palate is fairly generic sweetness, perhaps from the Mexican sugar, with hints of roasted malt. Mid-palate of pine and grapefruit-like hops welded to a solid backdrop of charred and chocolate malts, not particularly bitter, but with detectable bitterness. Back of palate with obvious charred malt and chocolate flavors, with a slight increase of pine and grapefruit-like hops and a touch of ethanol. Lingering aftertaste of pine resin-like hops that coat the mouth fairly well, with moderate-to-mild bitterness and a bit of roasted malt sweetness and flavor.

Beer is medium to medium-light in body, with carbonation of medium intensity. This leads to a slightly prickly, fizzy mouthfeel at first, which then fades to a marginally foamy, generally smooth mouthfeel for the remainder of the sip. Ethanol can be felt flashing across the throat, or upon the tongue (if held there). Closes dry, with fairly substantial stickiness across the palate.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 06:51:08 | More by falloutsnow

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review taken from my notes, "my personal 12 beers of Christmas"

1 pint 6 oz brown bomber style bottle. Alpha King's festive cousin Alpha Klaus on a Christmas red and green label. This is one of my favorite labels every single year. It is perfect fit for Christmas at FFF. Poured this into a nonic style pint glass.

A - dark chocolate black color with ruby red to brown bursting through the bottom corners of the glass. Light tan head sits atop the black body like a big fluffy pillow before leaving a nice ring of lace. Off white cobweb stickiness clings in splotches to the walls of this nonic.

S - anything but normal citrusy hops Get the aroma started. Some grapefruit, lemon and orange notes with some coriander and a touch of pine. Seasonal spices are a great addition with small touches of cinnamon and maybe nutmeg down deep. Chocolate malt and expresso sits the back bone in this aroma with small notes of sugar cookie.

T - Freakishly hopped and setup to be a flavor giant. Citrusy and pine like hops up front Followed by semi sweet chocolate And semi roasted malt. A quick and mild blast of vanilla paired with some fine winter spices along with a dry hoppy spice. Very faint smokiness given the candied sugar. Mexican sugar adds to the lovely dryness and balances everything very well.

M - Medium bodied and thick. Very creamy and smooth almost being chewy while coating every inch of the mouth. This one can be enjoyed glass after glass.

O - the thing with FFF is you know when you have one of their brews. Idk if it's their yeast strain or the water they use, but every one of their brews has that 3 Floyds flavor character to it. This is not only one of the best Porters you'll ever have its also one of the best Christmas seasonal beers you'll ever have. Putting 2 n 2 together make for the worlds finest Christmas porter. Period. This will never leave my 12 beers of Christmas list. It's just a thoroughbred porter. I'm a huge fan of holiday brews and of American porters, so this one is just a winner all the way around this time of year. It's a must try for porter and holiday beer fans alike. I am starting to sit and think of what brewery does absolutely everything right in terms of the family of beers they happen to offer, and the crew at FFF are at the forefront of that topic every single time. It's remarkable and so is Alpha Klaus.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 15:02:05 | More by BradtheGreat7

davey101

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bomber into a FFF .5L glass.

A - Pours a black body that exposes some dark brown tints around the corners of the glass. Nice and fluffy khaki three finger head forms, settles into a thin but lasting cap. Great lacing and retention. Super sticky and clinging.

S - The aroma starts off with sweet milk chocolate, burnt coffee, and roasted malts. A huge blast of piney and grapefruit hops then sends you into confusion.

T - Sweet bakers chocolate, espresso, and char collide with the piney and citric hops. The flavors wash away quickly leaving behind the bitterness typical of an IPA.

M - On the thin to medium side with plenty of carbonation. Works well with the style and flavors and makes for an easy drinking beer. In the span of this review I've already downed a glass...

O - Apparently a porter really works well when its hopped up. Light enough to be drinkable with plenty of chocolaty coffee goodness to balance out that distinctive FFF hop profile.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 02:53:21 | More by davey101

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This pours a very dark brown color with a fluffy light brown head. There is a mild scent of roasted malts to the beer but even stronger is the scent of hops. The taste is uniquely robust yet hoppy. Initially there is a complex, robust sweetness which gradually grows into a crisp, bitter taste. Very different and very 3 Floyds! Leaves a decent clinging lacing.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 04:43:35 | More by Lemke10

cvm4

Mississippi

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a very dark brown, can't see through it. Light tan head.

S - Loads of roasted malts, burnt coffee and dark chocolate. Some piney hops as well.

T - Typical hopped up fashion with 3F. Piney hops, coffee grounds, smokeyness and leather.

M - Medium body & carbonation. Well done.

O - Great Christmas brew that reminds you of the smell of the season.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 21:54:30 | More by cvm4

WesM63

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark brown with a decent 2finger light brown head. Decent amounts of retention and lacing.

S: Smells of chocolate malt and a hint of pine.

T: Spot on the nose, lots of chocolate, roasted malts and some pine/resin.

M: Medium body and carbonation.

O: Pretty good porter, I don't get as much hoppyness as others, but good none the less.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 05:08:57 | More by WesM63

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Many thanks to Etan for sending this bottle!

A - Pours a dark, opaque black with a healthy three fingered light caramel colored head that sticks to the sides of my thistle glass like sticky, cotton candy.

S - Roasted chocolate malt, light charcoal, and pine.

T - Consistent throughout with dark chocolate, charcoal, light smoke, coffee, and ends with some citrus bitterness. Leaves a pleasant coating in the mouth of coffee, roasted chocolate, and citrus.

M - Light medium body and at times it feels too watery and thin.

O - The finish is unique for a porter but I wish it had more body. When I think of a porter, and especially a Christmas type of beer, I think thicker with more body.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 02:44:04 | More by jzeilinger

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber poured into a Gulden Draak tulip glass

Appearance- Motor oil black with 2 fingers of mocha head that dissipates most of the way and leaves a reasonable amount of lacing.

Smell- Very piney in scent with a little bit of chocolate and coco thrown in.

Taste- Pine up front with a long finish of unsweetend chocolate.

Mouthfeel- A slick and smooth mouthfeel with just the smallest hint of carbonation.

Overall- Me not being a huge piney hops fan, I really wasnt blown away. I thought it just had 2 distinct flavors and was nothing crazy complex. In the end, I get the tie in with the piney hops and Christmas, and it makes for a decent seasonal brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 20:54:22 | More by BrownAleMale

Halcyondays

California

3.85/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 22 oz. bomber, courtesy of an unknown Beachwood patron,

A: Pours a dark brown with a medium tan head, spotty lace.

S: Dark chocolate, Dutch cocoa, hint of coffee, charcoal, straight up porter nose.

T: Creamed coffee, dark chocolate with a nice roasted malt undecurrent. Well made, classic flavours.

M: Medium-bodied, drying finish, crisp carbonation.

O: A beer I had a long time ago, well before I was a BA, so it was cool to revisit it. I remember when this you to be in the old Top 100. I don't think it's that good, but it's very solid and a nice holiday treat.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 06:58:38 | More by Halcyondays

DoubleJ

California

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

What a random surprise to taste at Beachwood BBQ. Don't get the wrong idea, this was from a fellow customer, not the restaurant itself. On to the beer:

A dark porter, as its color goes into obsidian territory. Head retention is acceptable, and it leaves a few spots of lace. The nose is strangely hopped up. There are tons of hops in the aroma, leaving a very bitter aroma. There's bitter chocolate in there as well, so it isn't a total hop assult (not that I was asking for more anyways).

As hoppy as the aroma was, the taste is more bittersweet, with the malt and hops fighting more supremecy. It starts sweet with great amounts of fudge and chocolate. The sensation of spice, like that of chipotle peppers, diversifies the beer. Finally, we get the blast of hops which taste very raw and green. Yet despite their rawness, the beer isn't really bitter. It's actually on the smooth side with a medium full body, helping to knock down any lingering concerns I had over the dose of hops used in this porter. Turns out to be a good one, in fact.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 19:04:08 | More by DoubleJ

Jagen

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from 22 oz bomber into tulip

A - pours a dark brown/black color with a 2 rfinger white-tan head. head slowly dissipates leaving a nice lace around the glass.

S - roasted malt comes strong with a delicious piney hopiness...makes me think of xmas trees and spiced nuts. roasted chocolate and coffee in the background.

T - roasted malt at the front with a sweet hoppy finish...really digging it. last time I had it, it was at least 6 months out of season and had lost most of the hop character...really digging it fresh. hoppyness and baking chocolate finish that lingers for awhile...decently balanced. nice take on a hoppy porter!

M - mild-high carbonation, medium...in between thin and creamy

O - really enjoyable...try it fresh if you can. The hops and malt profile do remind me of christmas...might grab anyother bottle to drink on xmas day

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 06:03:17 | More by Jagen

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into tulip. Purchased at Liquor Barn in Louisville for approx $10.
Pours a nice deep black brown with tan hue and sticky tan head. Roasted malt, vanilla and chocolate aromas.
Taste is slightly bitter vanilla chocolate roasted malts and slightly sweet, but well blended with obvious hops (but very mild). Nice crisp-ness to it. Its fresh and bold. Nice porter...nothing really "christmas" about it...well some vanilla I suppose, but regardless, its a great porter. Not as robust as I like (Evil Twin Lil'B)...but very very good nonetheless.
Drink one anyway...drink it now

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:21:27 | More by DrinkSlurm

tut2528

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

thanks to woodjjacct for opening this one!

A: typical sout, black as night, creates slight head that is slight tan in color.

S: big tobacco, leather, roasted malt, coffee grounds, dark chocolate and oak come through along with a slight hop note.

T: basic stout with a FFF hop twist. big coffee grounds and hoppy profile, and smoke. it also has a moderate tobacco and leather character that adds a bit of complexity. i'm not picking up on any kind of creaminess.

M: medium bodied, but doesnt leave much on the palate.

O: find this one just above average, and think that the variant would be awesome... especially the Plum. there needs to be a sweetness in this to make this one more balanced

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 02:07:13 | More by tut2528

warrenout330

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to my boy Pat at cavalier for a case... your clutch man

A- pours a deep dark brown, actually nearly black in some angles... big thick tan colored
Head... stays around for a bit... very sticky blotting to the glass

S- Christmas tree pine... huge flavor of chocolate malt, roasted coffee... sweet dark fruit essence

T- first sip reveals a fairy balanced pine sappyness... which leads the way for the English chocolate malt.. following up behind is a roasty coffee fling.. ending with a overall hop balance with a reminiscent mint mouth... this beer really reminds me of Christmas... strange

M- medium bodied... stellar carbonation... slight chewy/creamy mouth feel.. as it warms to room temp... it almost becomes oily in some aspects... delightful

O- I really can't get enough from this brewery.... that's all I have to say...good day

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 04:08:15 | More by warrenout330

ChiPool

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into Duvel tulip.

AK pours the darkest brown color, if not all-out black. Generous amount of head is also present: 1.5 inches, dark cream colored. Nice aroma on this one: roasty malts dominate. Taste offers more of the roasty malts, with a bit of earthy hops on the back end. Mouthfeel is on the thin side of medium.

Glad that I tried it, but I will stick more to RIS offerings, especially for the price.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 02:05:43 | More by ChiPool

312HopBomb

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber/ 3 Floyds Imperial Pint glass

Dark chocolate color with ruby highlights. Huge rocky head falls slowly to a foamy cap.

Smells like a cirus bowl. Lemon, orange and grapefruit hops are fresh as can be with some floral and corriander. Chocolate malt and sugar cookie. Some slight espresso roast.

Taste starts with bold citrus hops much like the nose. Hops fade into a great roast with sweet chocolate and slight coffee and a roasty toasty malt finish but the hops hold their own and blend nicely.

Mouthfeel is moderate to full. Slightly chewy. Medium carbonation.

This is better than I remember from last year and I loved it. 3 Floyds has some kind of secret weapon that utilizes hops to perfection.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 04:00:50 | More by 312HopBomb

rlee1390

Indiana

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Black in the glass, one finger off white head.

S-Roasted malt, candied sugar, chocolate and a tad bit of spice.

T-Roasted malt, good deal of spice, some chocolate, not much bitterness though.

M-Medium bodied, creamy.

O-A solid porter, not as good as Topless Wytch though.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 22:40:53 | More by rlee1390

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.48/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours almost completely black, but hints of brown peak through. Sizeable tan head forms; about 3.5 fingers. Retains and laces very well. Only the slightest bit of light gets through the edges of the glass.

S- Hops profile is prominent. Mostly floral scents with slight hints of pine. Traditional porter notes are hiding under the hops. Semisweet chocolate and coffee roasts are the main flavors under the hops.

T- Pretty much just like scent. Hops up front with moderate bitterness. Midway through the drink there is a change from hops bitterness and bite into the traditional porter flavors. Chocolate and coffee flavors are more bitter in the taste than the scent. Drink ends in a combination of bitter hops and bitter dark roast bite that I've never experienced in a beer before.

M- Highly carbonated and slick on the palate. Not that creamy, but not that thin. Alcohol level is low and undetectable in the taste or on the palate. Easy to drink.

Overall, this is a porter like none I've had before. The hop profile is prominent, yet there are still darker malt flavors too. This is the first stout or porter I've had in which I could detect the hops. Not a trait I would like other brewers to try in a porter or stout, but a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 01:28:31 | More by boilermakerbrew

Etan

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz into a Hopleaf tulip. 2012 release.

A: Pours a rich brownish black with a large tan head. Nice lacing.

S: Lots of coffee and chocolate, with the hops lending some slightly fruity acidity. Smells like a chocolate wafer.

T: Big, bitter, piney hops and roasted grain, some mild sweet chocolate. Somewhat dry and acidic.

M: Medium-bodied and creamy.

O: The nose is really where this beer shines.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:42:57 | More by Etan

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a dark brown color with a two finger sand colored head that lasts for a few minutes and leaves behind a medium amount of lacing, medium body and carbonation levels.

Smells mostly of pine resin and dank herbal hopping over char-roasted malt. The chocolate aroma notes stay firmly in the background of the nose. But in the flavor, the chocolate comes into the foreground to stand alongside spicy and earthy hopping and the pine resin retreats into the background. It does gain a flavor note of chocolate-dipped dried orange peel as the glass warms up towards room temperature. Bitterness is evenly distributed throughout. I was braced for a lot more dissonance of flavor than what I actually received. Well done, Three Floyds, well done.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 21:30:43 | More by WastingFreetime

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle opened on 8.21.12.

A - Pours an opaque dark brown with a one finger medium brown head with good retention.

S - Roasted malts, coffee and some hoppiness as well.

T - Subtle and smotth coffee and roasted malts, the hop backbone is still there.

D - Good carbonation with a medium body. Coffee finish lingers.

O - It's a nice porter with a hop background. It's Christmas in August.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 06:47:33 | More by HuskyinPDX

quirkzoo

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one a while back from Chadquest, I believe.

Pours a very dark black body with a small tan head. Straight up porter aroma, lots of roasted grains with a hint of vanilla sweetness behind it and a slight smell of alcohol. Very balanced on the palate. A little bit of burnt bitterness, good dark roasted malt, not too complex but enjoyable. Mouthfeel was a touch thin but not watery, very drinkable. Overall this is a solid porter, I didn't pick up on anything exotic that made this a "Christmas" porter but it was still very good.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 16:20:48 | More by quirkzoo

BrewerB

California

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to aasher for sending this beer and also an apology that it took me so long to drink! That's what happens when a beer gets buried at the back of my fridge. Cheers and thanks again, Al!

Pours a very dark brown color with a medium tan slightly rocky foam. nice lacing sticking behind.

Rich roasted malt aroma. Hints of chocolate, coffee. Also picking up on some sweetness, brown sugar-like. Very faint charcoal noticeable as the beer opens up. Nutmeg?

Big, dry roastiness asserting a strong flavor presence. Bittersweet dark chocolate, burnt toast. Dry dark roasty finish lingers on. Bitterness is moderate and though I'm not picking up a large hop presence, there's plenty of bitterness from the roasted malt.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation level. Despite the prominent roasted grain character, beer remains smooth.

Great roasty malt character here, not sure what the "Christmas" part in the "Christmas Porter" refers to but certainly an excellent robust porter. Would certainly like to drink this again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 23:04:48 | More by BrewerB