3 Floyds Alpha King

 

Alpha King is a great pale ale brewed by 3 Floyds.

Brewer's notes: The first beer we ever brewed at 3 Floyds back in 1996, Alpha King is a bold and assertive American Pale Ale, utilizing seven different malts to create both balance and complexity. Spotlighting Centennial hops, the beer that started it all features a slight caramel sweetness and pronounced citrus hoppiness.

BeerAdvocate: A bold yet balanced American Pale Ale with slight caramel sweetness and aggressive citrus hoppiness. This is our flagship beer.

68 IBU

Tasting Notes

19 July 2024

The 5th of a six-pack I purchased on a recent trip to Indy prompted me to reiterate what a great beer Alpha King is. Hoppy enough to be an IPA but retains the balance and sweetness of a true pale ale. It may be the best pale ale I have tasted. Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale may rival it. 

Rating = 6 glasses

08 Oct. 2020

I am revising the rating.

Rating = 6 glasses.

13 Sept. 2020

Alpha King is a fantastic pale ale. It balances malty sweetness with subtle hop bite to create a flavorful, complex beer that is good enough to savor but begs to be gulped. It is more English (sweet and balanced) than American (hop-forward). It paired wonderfully with a Tex-Mex carnita burrito covered in enchilada sauce.

Rating = 5 glasses. I need to try another Zombie Dust to decide whether the best rating is 5 or 6.

Stone IPA

Brewer's Notes: One of the most well respected and best-selling IPAs in the country, this golden beauty explodes with citrusy flavor and hop aromas, all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character.

The IPA That Launched Generations of Hop Fanatics
First Release: August 1997

By definition, an India pale ale is hoppier and higher in alcohol than its little brother, pale ale—and we deliver in spades. Now one of the most well-respected and best-selling IPAs in the country, this golden beauty explodes with citrusy, piney hop flavors and aromas, all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character. This crisp, extra hoppy brew is hugely refreshing on a hot day, but will always deliver no matter when you choose to drink it.

Packaging Notes: the iconic west coast style IPA.

BeerAdvocate

Tasting Notes

July 2024: Ditto as below.

April 2020: Loads of crisp hops bitterness balanced enough for one sip to invite a gulp. A wonderful beer and a great example of the style. 

August 2023: I noticed that I have not updated my review of Stone IPA in over three years. It has become my go-to IPA and one of my favorite beers. At $17.99 for a 12-pack, it is a standard in my refrigerator. I am officially upgrading the rating from 5 glasses.

Rating = 6 glasses.