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3 Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale

3 Floyds Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 216 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

3 Floyds' flagship — a boldly bitter American pale ale that established the brewery's aggressive reputation. Centennial and Cascade hops deliver resinous pine and citrus in a full-bodied, uncompromising frame. Alpha King made Northwest-style pale ales cool in the Midwest.

ABV
6.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Dry finish.

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
citrusy
piney
herbal
orange
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for 3 Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale

Appearance

Alpha King displays a bright, golden-amber hue characteristic of the American pale ale style. The beer presents excellent clarity with a white, creamy head that demonstrates solid retention. Vigorous carbonation creates a lively, inviting presentation in the glass.

golden-amberclearwhite headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose is immediately dominated by assertive Centennial and Cascade hops, delivering prominent resinous pine and bright citrus notes. Subtle malty undertones provide a grain-forward foundation without overshadowing the aggressive hop character. Clean fermentation allows the hop profile to shine without distracting yeast esters.

resinous pinecitrushoppyclean

Taste

The palate opens with bold, unapologetic bitterness that defines Alpha King's character, supported by a full-bodied, crisp framework. Citrus and pine flavors from the hops dominate the mid-palate, with malty sweetness providing counterbalance and texture. The beer drinks dry despite its ABV, maintaining balance through resolute hop-forward bitterness.

bittercitruspinecrispfull-bodied

Finish

A clean, dry finish with lingering resinous bitterness that persists pleasantly on the palate. The aftertaste remains hoppy and slightly piney, reinforcing the beer's uncompromising Northwest-style character.

drycleanlingering bitterness
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
88
Appearance
82
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of 3 Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with 3 Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, bitter, full-bodied character as 3 Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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