Three Floyds Alpha King
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Tasting Notes
Alpha King leads with assertive citrus and pine resin on the nose, backed by a mild biscuit malt foundation that keeps things grounded. On the palate, grapefruit pith and earthy hop bitterness dominate, with a touch of caramel sweetness that prevents the bitterness from running too sharp. The body is medium and carries some weight for the style. The finish is dry and hop-forward, lingering with a resinous bite that signals this leans toward the hoppier end of the pale ale spectrum.
About the Brewery
Three Floyds is based in Munster, Indiana, founded in 1996, and built a fierce reputation on aggressively hopped beers at a time when the Midwest craft scene was still finding its footing. They're widely known for Zombie Dust, a single-hop Citra APA, and for Dark Lord, a massive Russian imperial stout that anchors their annual Dark Lord Day release event. The brewery has cultivated a devoted following and a somewhat cult-like identity, often operating at the louder, more irreverent end of craft beer culture.
Food Pairings
The resinous bitterness and citrus hop character here work well with spicy buffalo wings because the bitterness cuts through rich, fatty heat without disappearing. A classic cheeseburger with sharp cheddar plays off the caramel malt backbone, letting the hops clean up each bite. Fish tacos with a lime-forward slaw echo the citrus notes in the beer and keep things from clashing. Aged gouda or a mild cheddar board also fits well, since the malt sweetness bridges nicely with nutty, semi-firm cheeses.
Style Guide
American Pale Ale is a hop-forward but approachable style that emerged from the American craft brewing movement of the 1980s, with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale often cited as the benchmark. It typically runs between 4.5 and 6.2 percent ABV, though Alpha King runs slightly hotter, and features American hop varieties that contribute citrus, pine, and floral notes rather than the earthy, herbal character of British counterparts. The malt presence is real but restrained — enough to provide balance and body without shifting the beer toward amber ale territory. Compared to an American IPA, the bitterness and dry-hop intensity are dialed back, making the style more malt-balanced overall.