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

falconxman

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a Killian's Mug. Paired with BBQ beef and baked beans.

A) Very dark. Hold it up to the light and there's a hint of some caramel color. Head similar to coffee with lots of lacing as it dissipates.

S) Chocolate, malt, coffee. Porter goodness.

T) "It's not normal" sounds about right. Could definitely taste the malts with a slight bitter aftertaste. And then there's a bite of hops. A little pine, too.

M) Smooth with a little bite.

O) For a porter, this goes down really nice. Great looking with an interesting taste. Try it with a little BBQ for a cornucopia of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 00:50:54 | More by falconxman

tewaris

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Kickin' fresh Christmas Porter brewed with Mexican sugar among other things. What's with FFF and different sugars?

Bomber poured into a Lion stout mug. Thanks Dan!

Beautiful looking beer, dark brown and clear with a chocolaty, thick and creamy head that formed in cascades. Great lacing and retention as well. Smells of roasted malts, chocolate and general sweetness. No hops in the aroma whatsoever.

Tastes sweet and chocolaty but the bitterness quickly takes over. Finishes quite bitter and slightly roasty. I understand this is Alpha King's cousin and all but the bitterness, frankly, is clashing. The aftertaste is rather empty too. However, the biggest culprit is the rather thin body that makes the beer taste rather empty.

Overall a good porter but unbalanced for no good reason. Not in the same league as Edmund Fitzgerald or Cutthroat.

4.5, 4, 3.5, 2, 4

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 18:22:17 | More by tewaris

Crass3000

Minnesota

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

Reviewed on 12/24/2011

4/5 Pours out black as night with a two_finger, tan head with great retention.

4/5 Smell is a mix of subdued citrus and pine hope, some dark malts, and mollasses, which all combine nicely Really nice semll.

4/5 Taste is almost a little hop-forward with pine yet is blended well with the dark malts, dark sugars and fruit. Really a nicely balanced beer with a slight hop-forward taste.

4/5 Mouthefeel is medium to thick and more on the thicker side. Really a nice beer. Just when I wanted to try this a generous BA had it in a box at my house without even asking

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 10:55:05 | More by Crass3000

RickS95

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The way a porter should look. It's as black as night. The head is relatively thick with lots of different sizes of bubbles. The head is a toasty looking brown and it's got good retention.

I'm not sure what the make of the smell. It's not that it's bad, just strange. There is a slight roasty malt scent, as well as a hint of chocolate, but there's something else there. It's sort of a pine tree scent, but not like an IPA. It smells festive, but I'm not sold that the smell works.

Taste is pleasant, with mild chocolate nibs, roasted malty flavors, and piney hop flavors.

Deeply complex with sweetness early on. The sweetness gives way to bitter and slightly acidic. There never is any kind of creaminess that I was hoping for. Medium bodied, a bit more alcohol would be great.

This beer was all over the place. Some things were good about it, and other things merely average. All in all, I rate it head and shoulders above average, but not quite good.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 03:38:17 | More by RickS95

DovaliHops

California

3.63/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown color with a medium off-white head. Scent is very hoppy...wasn't expecting that. Very hoppy with some roasted malt aroma with a hint of Christmas spice. Taste is not as hoppy as the nose implies. Roasted malt flavors with a bit of chocolate. Some piney hop flavors and just a bit of spice. Mouthfeel is medium bodied...not as thick as I was hoping. Drinkability is fairly high. Overall, this does not taste like a typical American Porter to me. Drinks more like a black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 05:50:11 | More by DovaliHops

phichifiji00

California

3.6/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: Black with a light tan head that fades quickly. Moderate lacing.

Smell: Hops, sublte roasted notes, pine resin.

Taste: roasted malt, some coffee notes, hops, a bit astringent.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, moderate carbonation, crisp, dry finish.

Overall: A tasty black IPA. The doesn't taste like a porter to me.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 17:49:14 | More by phichifiji00

seedsofchaos

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

3 Floyds Alpha Klaus was one of the few beers that really surprised me in 2011. I had it for the first time during our NYE celebration and split it amongst a few friends. I decided that with my last bomber I would be selfish and write up a proper review.

It's really a great looking Porter. Dark like a fine cup of Joe, Alpha Klaus is topped with a thick cappuccino-colored head. The head dies off eventually to just a skimming but spiderwebs fantastically.

With a bouquet filled with hops, 3 Floyds stays true to their uncompromising modi operandi. Roasted barley takes place center stage along with a nose full of piney/earthy, floral and juicily citric hops. I don't know how to say this without sounding weird, but this is a juicy smelling porter. Lots of great caramel and coffee notes come through as well and help make this solidly an "A" beer.

First thing to hit the palate are definitely the notes of roasted coffee. Mouthful after mouthful, roasted barley and chocolate malt are the key players well-rounded with earthy hops. Though there seems to be a lot of hop aroma in the nose, hops don't overwhelm the mouth. They don't underwhelm either. A little bit of citrus, a good amount of pine and just the right bittering.. I don't use the word 'awesome' to describe a beer too often but... Awesome.

Smooth, a bit creamy and highly drinkable makes 3 Floyds Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter a clear winner in my humble opinion. Though I'm always willing to share, I was glad to have this bomber all for myself.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 23:39:42 | More by seedsofchaos

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into a snifter. Pours black in color with the faintest clarity of brown around the edges. A tan cap about a finger strong slowly fades leaving a webby lacing pattern on the glass. A light swirl revives a finger of froth back to the surface.

Smells quite hoppy with elements that are herbal with piny. Some toasty grain, chocolate with black licorice and dark fruit inclusion like plum and raisins. This has a familiar aspect to it, almost like an American Black ale but the roasty grain elements really mesh well with the hop selection.

The taste includes pine and herbal hops upfront that are quit fresh tasting even though this bottle is a year old. Dark unsweetened chocolate, coffee, raisins and an oaty sweetness provides a fresh grainy character. The backend includes a touch of sulfur. Very nice toasty aftertaste mixed with something along the lines of grapefruit zest.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. Overall not a bad brew. Decent alcohol warmth is noticeable but integrated well. I don't know what makes this a Christmas beer but it's quite enjoyable. Maybe it's the pine-like essence of the hops that is minorly reminiscent of Christmas wreath? Its like a black ipa but without the oily and overdone feel. This is worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 16:14:52 | More by stakem

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out of a 650 ml bottle into my CBS snifter.

A) Dark... Dark brown with a big bubbling mocha head, over two fingers. The head slowly dissolved, and there was a ton of lacing.

S) Roasted malt, espresso, hint of dark chocolate, wood and pleasant hops aroma.

T) Nice... Follows the nose. Roasted malt, light coffee and chocolate flavors. This is quite earthy. The pine and citrus finish is greatly appreciated.

M) Rich and creamy, well carbonated, but very smooth, until you get that hop bite at the finish, which really drives you to that next sip.

O) This is a true holiday classic. It's like the Bing Crosby of holiday beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 23:07:09 | More by RoamingGnome

jsulko

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into a snifter

Pours very dark almost black with a chocolate head that fades quickly.

Smell is chocolate and and roasted malt. Slight hint of hops.

Taste is chocolate with a hint of carmel and coffee. Finish is smooth with a bit of hops bite.

A very robust porter leaning towards the stout range.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 04:50:44 | More by jsulko

Auracom

Illinois

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

Taking on this one solo. 22 oz. bottle on December 30th, 2011, poured into a Bruery tulip.

A - Nothing much to see here. Flat, matte brown with a light khaki head. Not much retention, just some bubbles linger on top. Typical lacing.

S - At first, it's mostly milk chocolate bar and a touch of cinnamon. Closer to room temp, milk chocolate combines with lots of mexican sugar, light fruit, syrup, and slight coffee bean.

T - A bit of a contrast, plentiful dark chocolate and espresso flavors. Definite hop bitterness, citrus, and pine cut through near the backend of the drink.

M - Medium body, fair carbonation, good smoothness. Medium length finish and bitter finish.

D - That mexican sugar is really noticeable and fits well with the blend. I do wish there was a bit less espresso and more of that milk chocolate in the drink. Preferences aside, it's a good brew that is exactly what I'd expect from FFF during the holidays.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 20:25:06 | More by Auracom

nickfl

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours with a small head of medium brown foam on an opaque, black body. Settles quickly, leaves light lace.

S - coffee and nutty chocolate with lots of caramel in the background.

T - dark caramel and green hops up front. Some toffee and bitter chocolate in the background. The beer finishes with pungent, pine and grapefruit hops and smoky dark malt.

M - medium thick body, moderate carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - very nice, this comes across more like a black ipa than a porter but I don't consider that a reason to complain. A nice balance between the hops and the dark malt.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 03:11:32 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

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

Two finger tan head nearly completely black body with a touch of light getting through. Nice smooth coffee/espresso aroma. The flavor. Burnt roasted malt with a very nice hop flavor, very distinct that many porters lack. Very smooth beer. Moderate carbonation and full bodied. The hop character for this one sets it apart from many other porters. Excellent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 03:09:57 | More by kylehay2004

jmarsh123

Indiana

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

Pours opaque black with a small wispy tan head.

Aroma consists of roasted malts, chocolate and strangely, but pleasantly citrus.

Citrus doesn't come through in the flavor as much. Maybe just a tinge of it up front. The roasted malts are the all star here. Loads of bitter creamy chocolate dominate with some coffee as well. Finishes pretty bitter and dry.

Pretty good creaminess especially once it warmed a bit. Carbonation levels are average.

I look forward to this one every year. Not my favorite porter, but a solid example of the style and lack of bottle dating on this one doesn't make me wary like the IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2011 21:00:45 | More by jmarsh123

kevanb

Illinois

4.01/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a Three Floyds' Teku glass

The beer pours a lovely jet black color, extremely opaque texture with a thick, cloudy khaki head that leaves behind a touch of lacing. The aroma is nice, lots of rich chocolate, touches of vanilla with some nice brown sugar notes as well, roasted coffee with some nice dark grain brings out a touch of alcohol at the finish. The flavors are very pleasant, big rich dark grain right off the bat, a bit of sweet chocolate and vanilla, grassy bitter hops bring out some smokiness. There is a nice bit of roasted coffee flavor that lingers really nicely. The body is nice and rich, almost milky yet almost thin, carbonation is right in the medium sweet spot with a very dry finish.

Verdict: A very tasty Christmas Porter from Three Floyds. The flavors are nice and rich, but the grassy hop presence really adds something interesting to this beer, per their motto, “It’s Not Normal.” Definitely a nice treat to enjoy each winter.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 08:46:01 | More by kevanb

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

Well I just have to say this one kicks ass! A monster thanks to Billakowski for trading me a bottle. The beer poured out looking black and thick looking. The head was brown in color with laces the glass nicely. The smell of the beer has some big hops coming off of it, along with plenty of roasted malt aromas and chocolate notes. The taste of the beer has a hoppy kick up front, it's almost like a black IPA at first. Then as the hops fade the chocolate lingers in the aftertaste. The beer has several layers of transitions in the flavor. It makes this beer very impressive. The mouthfeel of the beer had a great body to it along with a a solid carbonation. Overall It's not really a Christmas brew but regardless it's a damn fine beer. I would drink it again without a doubt.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 01:59:06 | More by Knapp85

mdaschaf

Washington

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

Thanks to bstyle for this one!

A: Pours a nice black color with a two finger tan colored head on top. Really nice retention, lasting at one finger for quite some time. Nice streaky lacing down the sides.

S: Surprisingly hoppy, lots of pine and citrus mixed in with chocolate and some light coffee.

T: Nice and hoppy on the flavor profile as well. Pine and grapefuit up front with some roasted malt, chocolate, and a little coffee.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly bitter.

O: Sort of like a black IPA, but I like this one, since it leans more towards a porter, but has a nice hop component.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 01:21:35 | More by mdaschaf

jlpepper13

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into Brandy snifter. Reviewed with runny nose so sorry if I miss something.

A: Pours out opaque pitch black with full tan well constructed head that lingers. Lace clings to the glass as the beer is drank.

S: smells of coffee and centennial(?) hops. Sweet malty and very faint fusel alcohol aroma when breathed deeply.

T: slight burnt roastyness that quickly gives way to hoppy dryness. toffee and dark chocolate notes as the hops fade. Gets a lasting roasty/coffee taste as it comes to near room temperature.

M: medium feel with good carbonation that makes the tongue tingle. Gets creamier as it warms up in the glass.

O: Great overall beer that is different from the porter style but is so classic of the 3 Floyds Brewery. Didn't have too much hop without a good malt backbone to keep it on the porter side of things. Can't wait to enjoy again.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 02:21:09 | More by jlpepper13

Microbrewtaster

Indiana

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

22oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass.

A - Had a nice dark brown almost the color of black coffee, a nice mocha colored head that had a slight head on a light pour with some lacing.

S - The smell of this beer is very malty with notes of dark chocolate and coffee are the most prevalent, a Pine like smell brought out the Christmas in this Porter. Hops were also big as is the case with most 3 Floyd's beers.

T - Hops, Pine, and follows the nose it is slightly tangy maybe a grapefruit type of hops. Thoroughly enjoyed this bomber. a

M - A full bodied feel with a pleasant cream taste and good carbonation.

O - I really liked this Porter, not the typical one of its class but a good production none the less.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 22:11:23 | More by Microbrewtaster

vrbulldog22

Ohio

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

My introduction to Three Floyds.
Pours black, small white head, nothing out of the ordinary for a porter so far..
Smells of coffee and... hops? Wait - isn't this a porter?
Initial taste is coffee, malt & hints of chocolate, quickly followed by hops hops hops. More like a black IPA than a porter.
Smooth in the mouth, but dries you out. The carbonation made it feel almost foamy.
Overall tasted great, and i would definitely have again, though it wasn't what i expected from a "christmas porter."

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 21:52:23 | More by vrbulldog22

jsanford

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass.

A - Pours dark black with a creamy mocha head that settles to a nice haze and ring.
S - Smells more like a "Black IPA" then a Porter, which is OK with me! Big malty aromas of dark bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and caramel with a huge pine resin and grapefruit hop profile. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by the copious amount of hops given 3F's track record.
T - Yep, more hops! Pine resin and grapefruit (Amarillo?) hop flavors backed up by a good amount of roasty, bitter chocolate and coffee malts.
M - Fairly full-bodied with a nice, creamy mouthfeel and solid carbonation.
O - Not at all what I expected, but enjoyable nonetheless!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 01:22:38 | More by jsanford

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

4.47/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pitch black with a reddish hue, A surprisingly large 3 finger khaki head.
S- Roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate. there's also a nice hop presence if you look deep enough. Burnt caramel. This is a crazy good smelling porter.
T- A nice amount of hop flavors and bitterness up front and followed by a lot of chocolate and coffee. A complex and smooth bundle of flavors; a variety of hops and chocolate mixed in one.
M- Goes down very very easy, crazy smooth. The flavors kinda give you a dry tongue but the beer somehow leaves you with a not so dry feeling, which I really like. good carbonation.
O- Its just an amazing porter, FFF does it right in every way. Im looking forward to this coming around next year.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 05:36:29 | More by TwelveOunces

dogfishandi

New York

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to scott (theportersorter) for bringing this to our last tasting!

22oz bottle poured into a darkness snifter.

pours out pretty much black, some brown noticable on the edges, tannish colored head.

lots of evergreen piney woody hops with lots of burnt roast, almost a bit of smokiness?

again, piney, woody hops meet burnt roasted malts. some cocoa, and a roasty bitter finish.

medium to full in body, almost a bit sticky.

overall, no x-mas spices or what not, but it still some how tastes like christmas. almost a black IPA, very nice. id love some more of this.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 04:18:23 | More by dogfishandi

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber from Nov. '11 release. Special thanks toe racins for this one! Awesome extra. Poured into DFH signature glass.

A: Pours a deep dark brown with maybe a few reddish hues. Thin half finger of tan tight bubbled head. Fades to a ring fairly quickly. Nicely carbonated with bubbles rolling from the bottom of the glass. Some lacing sheets. On the swirl, you concur up a nice tight bubbled finger and half tan blanket of head.

S: Very similar initially to a black IPA. Upon pouring I got the hop notes up front, but when you dig in you do get some of that deeper toasty roast notes. And some milk chocolate. Smells candy sweet.

T: Wow this is an amazing blend between too styles! You get awesome Amarillo hop bitterness on the tip of the tongue initially. Very piney notes. But then it really blends into a sweet chocolate malt delicious center mouth taste. On the close, you get some of both pine bitterness and sweet chocolate roast flavors. Dangerous drinkable! Even better as it warms up during the bottle.

M: Light to medium. It's not thick or mouth coating, but hard to call a dark based beer "light"

O: I have to go strong A. Great beer. Best example of the style I have had. Better than Hop in the Dark from Deschutes which I loved this summer.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 16:20:59 | More by inlimbo77

beesy

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a duvel snifter.

A - pours a dark brown with a dark khaki colored, half finge head.

S - roast, chocolate and alcohol with a touch cinnamon'ish type smell

T - A nice dry roast malt flavor paired with a firm hop bitterness that gives way to a tpuch of crystal malt sweetness on the back of the tongue. I am struggling to pick up the spices though

M - very nice - a slightly creamy mouthfeel

D - medium-low

Overall, a nice christmas styled brew thats not overloaded with spices.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 04:30:33 | More by beesy