Alpha Session - Drake's Brewing Co.

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

GregoryMo

California

4/5  rDev -1%

05-18-2013 03:22:56 | More by GregoryMo

mhaugo

California

5/5  rDev +23.8%

05-09-2013 21:10:50 | More by mhaugo

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

Indian0

California

4/5  rDev -1%

04-02-2013 05:41:56 | More by Indian0

kmoen

California

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

04-02-2013 05:37:56 | More by kmoen

BAsbill

California

4/5  rDev -1%

04-02-2013 05:35:45 | More by BAsbill

cestlavie

Yukon (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

03-31-2013 17:58:52 | More by cestlavie

Beerrenda

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

03-07-2013 03:45:00 | More by Beerrenda

beerme411

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

02-14-2013 19:23:31 | More by beerme411

WestCoastBrew2

California

4/5  rDev -1%

02-06-2013 20:28:14 | More by WestCoastBrew2

laymansbeerfan

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -1%

01-17-2013 05:40:26 | More by laymansbeerfan

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

gueuzegossage

California

4/5  rDev -1%

01-02-2013 16:26:36 | More by gueuzegossage

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4/5  rDev -1%

12-02-2012 04:03:52 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

Hugonaut13

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1%

12-02-2012 03:30:17 | More by Hugonaut13

mattdbh

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

10-08-2012 22:37:01 | More by mattdbh

BeerHunter76

Texas

4/5  rDev -1%

10-07-2012 23:45:51 | More by BeerHunter76

Texasfan549

Texas

4/5  rDev -1%

10-05-2012 13:51:12 | More by Texasfan549

kjkinsey

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

10-03-2012 16:18:47 | More by kjkinsey

t0rin0

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

09-22-2012 20:31:13 | More by t0rin0

NWer

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

09-08-2012 20:15:00 | More by NWer

Soneast

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%

08-19-2012 17:08:14 | More by Soneast

seeswo

Ohio

3/5  rDev -25.7%

08-17-2012 01:27:29 | More by seeswo

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