Alpha Session - Drake's Brewing Co.

gpogo

California

3.51/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A- Lightly hazed clear deep yellow body with a small white head.

A- Fruity hop aroma. Grapefruit and peach and an enjoyable sweetness.

T- Moderate bitterness throughout, but not overpowering. That same aroma is present in the flavor with a nice slight sweetness. At first I was concerned it was a tad on the light side, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

M- Very light body and light to medium carbonation.

D- This beer is great for those warm days where you want to have a few beers, but don't want to spend the day drunk.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 00:56:24 | More by gpogo

Offa

California

3.53/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a fairly good bitter, unusually good character for an American beer at this low abv, but not up to great English bitters.

Gold, slightly hazy, it has a medium off-white head soon thinning to ring.

Aroma is grapefruit, peach, hay.

Taste is light mineral, grapefruit, bread dough, light juicy sweetness with balancing grapefruit-rind bitterness. Aftertaste is a little too bitter, but not heavily so.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 19:19:09 | More by Offa

kaseydad

California

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this bomber up for $6.99 at Whole Foods. Let's see...

Pours a pretty clear straw yellow pour with a decent amount of white foam on the top. Just sitting there staring back at me.

The aroma is light pineapple, nectarine, a touch of malt and sweet grapefruit. Really likeing this.

Guess I now know why they call this a bitter Nor Cal ale. Huge carbonated sip with a bubbly sensation bursting in the mouth. Bready, malty and yes...bitter. Hops are definitely generous and there is an overwhelming feeling that I am sucking on a grapefruit rind every sip. Well done.

Overall the price is a little steep for my liking but this a monster flavored ale for 3.8%. If you like a bitter , lightly malty ale then this is for you. Would like to see this in six packs...or hell...even four packs.

Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 00:46:45 | More by kaseydad

Arbitrator

California

3.33/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Chilled bottle into a glass. From notes.

A: Pours a golden-copper body. It looks similar to their IPAs, but with less head retention.

S: This reminds me of some cask ales I had in London; they seem to have nailed the aroma. Dry grains and crackers make up the malt backbone; hops show a decidely West Coast influence of pine and citrus.

T: Bread and toasted malt; they are taken over by pine and a mild citrus flavor. Solid, but nothing that blows me out of the water. I'd classify this as an American Pale Ale (due to the hops used) rather than an English Bitter, but that's probably a handwavy argument.

M: Light-bodied. This hides the alcohol well. Nice and refreshing.

O: What kills this beer for me is the price. We're conditioned to expect ingredients to cost more for higher-gravity beers; they should, therefore, cost less for lower-gravity beers. And if Hermitage can release a sour for $3 / bomber, Drake's can surely do better than the $7 they're asking for this. Count me out.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 07:23:43 | More by Arbitrator

ccrida

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On draught at zeitgeist, Alpha Session is clear gold with a small white collar leraving no lace.

Smell is skunky, piny hops. Pretty dank.

Tatse is also all hops. As evidenced by the abv, there very little malt, a little cracker.

Mouthfeel is on the thin, light side. Dry.

Drinkability is good, which is the point. Hop fix without the strenght of an IPA. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2012 02:10:09 | More by ccrida

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Wheee!! Hit me with your best hops!! Wow. This is a what?? You can make a "pale ale" this flavorful at such a low abv? Good lord, man.

This is straight up hop juice. I mean, just put those hops in a tea bag and steep it in some water already. A blast in your mouth that, somehow, remains a step below obnoxious and overbearing. As it warms, it gets extremely pleasant and sublime. This is, by far, the greatest session ale I have had to date. And add on top of that it's a "pale ale." (If this is a pale ale, I'd be very interested in what an IPA would be like, by these standards.)"

I don't really feel like searching for adjectives on this one. I just want to end this review and get back to the half pint I have left of it.

This is an amazing beer. The intensity might make it a sipper for some, but overall, this is one that would be worth trekking many miles for. Give it a minute to settle down and just sip and enjoy. Unbelievably amazing. This is why the tickers tick and the beer nerds hunt; to find the ones like this.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2012 05:07:39 | More by RblWthACoz

BennyL1

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to schwartzoid - 22oz bottle into a standard pint. No freshness info that I could see.

This session brew pours a good copper color with a thin white head that doesn't stay around very long. Some lacing on the glass but nothing to remarkable.

Nose is slightly malty with some good hop aroma in the background. Hops are mostly of the citrus variety with a hint of pine.

First taste is that of citrus hops with a nice amount of bitterness. Some bready malt undertones add a pleasant touch to the beer. Very tasty for a lower ABV brew. The mouthfeel is really nice as well. The carbonation is lively with a lighter body that makes it supremely drinkable.

This is how a session beer should be done. Low alcohol without sacrificing flavor. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 01:48:26 | More by BennyL1

macrosmatic

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to eyebereej for this one!! Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber into CCB pint glass.

A: Pours a clear gold color. This was a good bit of visible carbonation and forms a moderate white head.

S: Dank, earthy stank, weed, grassy hops, some sweat & garlic hops, with a background of citrus & pine hops. Some cracker malt aromas also.

T: Taste follows nose well - dank barnyard, garlic (not in a bad way), some lemon, nice yeast flavor.

M: Thin mouthfeel but expected given the style & ABV, with good tingly carbonation. Has only a mild bitter hang.

O: This is the best "out of the blue" beer I've had for a long time. Never heard of it, went into it with no expectations. Can't really seem to get a lot of English Bitter qualities from it, but nevertheless I really really like this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 04:09:56 | More by macrosmatic

litheum94

California

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle. Reviewed 6/25/12.

Bright, slightly hazy, golden body. Bone white head is very active; it bubbles up then fizzles out very quickly, leaving a faint cover.

Dry grains, very crackery. Aromas of pine and citrus, and some faint tropical fruit.

Dry grain malt profile. Tropical fruit sweetness. Juicy grapefruit and a dry, pine bitterness. Bitterness is strong, but it is nicely restrained and leaves the mouth quickly.

This is a great example of a session beer, with just enough complexity to keep you interested. My only real complaint is the price. $6.99 for a bomber of less than 4% ABV beer is just a little much. This needs to be in six packs to be a true session beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 23:07:59 | More by litheum94

beagle75

Iowa

4.23/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a tulip pint glass.

A: Clear, medium golden color with less than one finger of white foam head. Moderate lacing remains on the glass and scattered solitary bubbles rise in the column.

S: Mostly hops of moderate intensity for style; floral and mixed citrus qualities dominate, but some green plant stem is also detectable.

T: Begins dry, with distinct English malt that is bready, ashy, and intensely toasty. Early hop aromatics are herbaceous and slightly dank. While acidity is very mild into the middle, sharp minerality is distinctive. Hop flavors yield some spicy herbaceous notes before the mildly bitter finish that is most affected by some crisp and dry pale malt. Echoes of Nelson Sauvin hops linger late, giving the aftertaste a bright vinous tint.

M: Thin viscosity, wet ans slightly acidic on the palate, with brisk carbonation.

D/O: Drake's has been quietly generating a buzz about their hoppy pale ales over the last few years, but this beer's most remarkable feature is is its standout Marris Otter malt quality. It reminds of how the malt bills of Founder's pale ales frequently outdo their fine hop qualities. If it were categorized as an APA then it would get a 4 in taste, but as an American interpretation of an English bitter, it rates higher.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 20:45:03 | More by beagle75

Wasatch

Utah

4.23/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to Bitterbill for this brew.

22oz. Bomber

Pours a nice slighlty hazy golden yellow color, nice carbonation, little fizzy white head, with some minimal sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with a nice hop note, slight citrus/pine notes. The taste is very nice, slightly malty, very nice hop note, with some citrus and pine notes. Medium body, very nice bitter/dry finish. Over all this is a very tasty brew for under 4% ABV, especially the hop/bitter/citrus notes. Way to go Drake's. Thanks Bill for the chance to try this one out.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 19:23:14 | More by Wasatch

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Blonde ale with a brief flirtation of suds. Some hoppy aroma, an extremely light body, and a dissipating fizz.

Seems rather tasty for a couple of sips. Then the carbonation runs out and it tastes just bitter and a little metallic. Maybe it's meant to be served on tap, and drunk in a couple of chilling draughts.

I'm a Drake's fan, so I always try any new beer of theirs. I'm always happy to see low-alcohol beers with some flavor. However, I find it hard to call this any kind of English style, with the piney hops. More of an American Extra Pale Ale. I suppose it's not expensive as bombers go, but at $5.99 that would be over $18 a six pack, which seems extortionate for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 05:04:12 | More by mactrail

Nugganooch

California

4.05/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Notes taken from Saturday – 06-23-12
*22oz bomber to standard pint glass

A: Pours a fizzy Yella Beer! Super transparent burnished light gold color. Real effervescent yet only yields a tiny thin off white cap with low retention and not much by way of any cling.

S: Smell is just bursting with grapefruit, gooseberry, lime peels, and some evergreens. A killer nose packed with fruity hops. A suggestion of crackery malt. Aromas resurface with every sip. Really amazing stuff.

T: Tastes offers up some real zesty hops. Lemon-lime and grapefruit pith with a bit of emphasizing pine essence. Malt makes a cameo appearance with a light honey-cracker presence. Brings just the slightest inclination of breads to the overall brew. There is an intense level of bitterness and no alcohol to report. A slight tartness in the end. Overall a step down from the nose but real tasty. Not very ESB-like if you ask me. More of an APA here.

M: Very thin and light body that feels a bit watered down which is as to be expected. Crisp carbonation and a super dry finish.

D: A true sessions brew that is chalked full of hoppy goodness. Delivers on the name for sure with some nice Citra highlights. You can literally drink this one all day long. I think I crushed the entire 22oz in about oh 20 minutes. Actually had me kind of missing the “beer” at times.

They should call this Hop Water!

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 14:22:39 | More by Nugganooch

RBassSFHOPit2ME

California

4.8/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm rating this beer to the ABV (3.8%) and Style.

Ultimate session beer with big hop flavor, served at Gormet Haus in Redwood City, CA.

A - Golden orange, and vibrant. Slim to no head to speak of, but what a beauty to look at.

S&T - Dank hop smell, lemon citrus, orange and breadiness. Taste follows nose, big hop taste with lemons and oranges upfront, followed by a breadiness and firm, but not over the top bitterness in the finish.

M - Light, crisp, clean and brewed packed full of hop flavor that you could drink from morning to night. Had 4 of these in a sitting with a minor buzz. WOW. No real malt going on here but expected with the style and ABV.

O - Best hoppy session beer or beer PERIOD for that matter under 4% ABV.

Only complaint...I have seen this beer in bottles and I refuse to pay $6.99 for a bomber with the likes of bigger IPAs and DIPAs out there at the same price. I understand not apples to apples with that comment, but I feel this should be 6-packed and sold near $9-$11. Afterall, what session beer only comes in bombers if it's meant to be sessioned???? Think about it...

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 05:56:52 | More by RBassSFHOPit2ME

ehammond1

California

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for opening this with me, baybassboy!

Clear light amber and copper in color with a moderately sized light khaki colored head that eventually leaves irregular dots and spots of lacing down the glass. Very pretty and appropriate.

A full and complete aroma, especially for a pale ale of this (lack of) magnitude. There's good amounts of grapefruit and citrus zest present, some bread, and a hint of caramel. Very nice.

The flavor too is quite nice, and as the name suggests, this is incredibly drinkable. A nice balance of citrus, earth, pine, and sweetness combine for a remarkably easy drinking low-ABV pale ale.

Medium bodied with moderate to high carbonation. Crisp and disappearing.

!ADELAIDE!

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 15:40:43 | More by ehammond1

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.83/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber purchased from Berkeley Bowl West in Berkeley, CA.

Pours an exceptionally clear yellow colour, with a forthy, large-bubbled head of white, that settles to an unassuming and relatively unappealing film. The body has a surprising weight to it given its exceptionally low ABV, and it's the only thing that makes me rate the appearance as other than extremely unappetising.

Ok, maybe the other thing is the aroma, which I snuck a sniff of beforehand anyway—it's wonderfully fresh, bright, fruity and hoppy, with the emphasis on the clean, crisp, bright West Coast resonance, along with a touch of something green, herbal and organic. It's perhaps only this which hints at its genesis in the English style. Many other things prove that this does not truly fulfill that style.

Taste is a lot weaker, but you probably expect that in a beer that is intentionally designed as a sessioner. Quite a clean, light, herbal hop fragrance through the centre, with some rosemary, pepper and leafiness, but with almost nothing underneath: perhaps just a moderated grain character that holds in in check, but doesn't really support the hop flavours. It's certainly sessionable, and far from unpleasant. Feel is smooth enough and suitable for what it is.

Pretty drinkable brew, with much to offer. This is not making a play for best beer in the world, but it sure is refreshing, clean, easy to drink and enjoyable. Very decent drop.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 05:09:50 | More by lacqueredmouse

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Chris. Thanks, dogg! A 3.8% highly-hopped beer? Yes please.

Pouring a hazy orange with a dense, off-white head that recedes to a ring rapidly, I'd be lying if I said I'd never seen a nicer looking beer. The nose, though, is rather excellent. A big Simcoe-hop nose is present, fruity, pungent and refreshing with a blend of , tangerines, lemons, a little pine and some melon. A little bit of chalk is also present (also from the Simcoe, I think). The blend of Citra and Simcoe is enjoyable, with the CTZ adding the pungency. I *think* there's some Amarillo in there too. Hopped to this level,the malt is pretty much covered up. Excellent stuff.

The palate opens with a mild bitterness, a little grassy and vegetal but mostly grapefruit-rich. This is immediately followed by a big hop flavor with citrus (tangerines, oranges), a little pine, and that classic Simcoe blend of fruit,pine and pungency. The malt character is non-existent, with neither the Maris Otter nor the Crystal-45 noticeable. This, actually, is to the beer's detriment, as it leaves nothing linking the flavor hops and the medium-high carbonation. Rather crisp, the finish is clean, bitter and moderately fruity with grapefruit and pine. Light in body and despite being a little too carbonated for my palate, this does live up to its name. Given the low ABV, the overall score deserves an extra 0.5. Highly recommended, though this is most definitely NOT an English bitter and is closer to an American Bitter (think Bitter Brewer etc)

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 01:56:13 | More by DefenCorps

adsomers

California

3.35/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Had this on tap and in a bottle.

A - Straw color, lively carbonation produces a decent head which subsides to a flat surface after a minute or two. Just think diet coke WRT head retention.

S - Smell is dominated by dank nuggy hop aromas, with a backdrop of citrus and a faint waft of pine. While I love intensely hoppy beers, I am not a fan of the "dank" thing. But they don't lose any points for that. The aroma comes through very well.

T - Tatse seems to pull the veil off the hop flavors that are usually blended in with malt character i.e. subtle grassy and vegetal notes. This along with the dank foresty hop character are what this beer tastes like to me. No malt character whatsoever. Probably as close as you can get to carboned hop tea.

M - Thin and unremarkable. Lively carbonation makes me think of seltzer.

D - Yeah, you can suck down a lot of this beer, but it's not as enjoyable as an equivalently hopped pale ale or IPA. In other words I'd rather drink 12 oz. of Aroma Coma than 22 oz of this.

O - Overall it's a very well exectued hoppy session beer, but I think they could have gotten away with adding something to bring back the body. Also I think the "dank" thing doesn't work well all by itself. Maybe if they had focused on the tropical fruity hops I'd be a lot happier with it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 23:35:58 | More by adsomers

DovaliHops

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a medium white head that disappears quickly. Scent is straight up marijuana. Dank as hell. Fresh hop aromas with a lot of citrus. Taste is just as bitter and hoppy as I was hoping this little 3.8 beer could be. So crisp and refreshing with lovely hop and citrus flavors. Mouthfeel is light and crisp. Drinkability is very high. Overall, this a a fantastic session beer! It's amazing they can pack this much flavor into this beer. We need MORE beers like this!

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2012 05:34:53 | More by DovaliHops

Philousa

California

3.83/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with great clarity. I can see the bubbles from start to finish as they rise to the top of the drink. Color is pale gold and tawny. Good amount of head dies quickly and slips off the glass back into the drink. Super piney! This smells like one hoppy beer. All the "C" hops are present to make this a truly west coast ale. Bark, citrus, & grapefruit on top of the pine. A faint hint of very mild malt lies behind. The hops want to hit the tongue first but fizzle from tingly oil flavor to very bitter dry pale malt. American 2 row is very prevalent, but it's very dry - like bark - and a bit harsh on the tongue. Some nuttiness and biscuit/animal cracker malt flavor. Balanced feel, finish is a bit dry.

This is deceiving. Smells mike a supper hoppy pale or IPA, but taste isn't bitter from hops at all. I'd suspect they have to tone down the bitterness since the ABV isn't as high. Instead, this tastes like an English Bitter wrapped in a West Coast IPA's aroma. Very interetesting. Hopefully they'll continue to brew it as a seasonal in the future.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 23:08:40 | More by Philousa

jethrodium

California

3.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

On tap at Beer Revolution. Pours a clear light amber with a small white head settles to a ring and leaves some light lacing on the glass. The aroma is pine and grapefruit hops, a bit of biscuit, and a light mineral note. The taste is quite similar to the nose with pine, grapefruit, some orange, some biscuit, and also a light mineral note. The finish has a decent bitterness with more pine and grapefruit. Quite dry throughout. Light body. Medium carbonation. This was quite enjoyable. It was quite hoppy and dry, which I tend to enjoy. The price kind of defeats the purpose of the low alcohol content though because I won't be drinking several of them.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2012 05:51:45 | More by jethrodium

UCLABrewN84

California

3.18/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottled I brought to share at drewone’s tasting.

Pours a slightly murky honey yellow with a beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of citrus zest, grapefruit, and some slightly catty hop aromas. Taste is of malt and some earthy and citrus zest hop flavors. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty average beer with a better smell than taste in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 01:02:10 | More by UCLABrewN84

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.48/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This pours a hazy light gold with a 1 finger head of foam and does well with the lacing.

The smell....well...the aromas have to be experienced to be believed. Huge hoppiness, noticed as soon as the cap came off. Grapefruit, tropical fruit, pine, it's a symphony of all things hoppy and could be the best smelling hop forward brew I've ever had. Wow!

Taste wise, the grapefruit and tropical fruitiness is up front followed closely by pine. I know there's malt in here but it doesn't make much of an impression on my palate. Not needed in this case, I think. It's drinking wonderfully.

The body is a bit thin though I expected that happening because of the very low abv this beer brings to the table. A small price to pay for such a delicious brew. This is outstanding, imho, and I'm glad I have more bottles to enjoy.

Thanks to G and Bine & Vine for the opportunity!

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 17:29:55 | More by Bitterbill

pmarlowe

California

3.68/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Always glad to see some sessionable options out there. Tulip glass.

A: Pours a light straw color, clear like water, with a finger of air, almost yellowish head. Pretty good retention but almost no lacing.

S: Lots of nice, light hop flavor (juicy orange), biscuity and slightly nutty malt.

T: Similar, orange-y with dry malt and a long finish of mild bitterness.

M: Medium-high carbonation and medium-light body.

O: Decently drinkable, but I think limited by the bitterness, mild though it may be. It kind of drowns out what flavor there is. The citra is nice, though.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 05:12:54 | More by pmarlowe

peacebone116

California

3.85/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bomber into an Allagash tulip.

A: Bright straw body with white wisps at the center and rim of glass, the only remnants of the head that fizzled out quickly quickly after the pour was complete.

N: Hops--pine, and citrus reminiscent of grapefruit and a touch of sweetness.

T/M: This is all hops. The bitter flavor dominates, but the body is incredibly light. The pine and grapefruit hit quickly and stay up front, but they fade quickly away giving it up to a hint of yeasty fruitiness that really comes across too much as a sulfuric flavor. Carbonation is prominent and ample, perfect for the thin mouthfeel.

This is a very great session ale. I love the hop dominated flavor even though the body is a bit lacking. The hop aroma and flavors turn this beer from an otherwise boring light ale into a complex and easy drinking beverage that makes a great fit for a Memorial Day refresher. I do wish this had just a little bit more of a mouthfeel considering the price range (~$8/bomber from the liquor store), but I understand what the brewer was going for. Cheers, Drake!

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 20:53:00 | More by peacebone116