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Alpha King

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Slight caramel sweetness meets pronounced citrus hoppiness in the first beer 3 Floyds ever brewed, back in 1996. Alpha King is an American pale ale built on seven different malts, with Centennial hops in the spotlight, and the brewery calls it bold and assertive. 6.66% ABV, 68 IBU, year-round, with artwork by Phineas Jones.

ABV
6.7%
Bitterness
Very bitter68 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusycaramel
hoppy
citrusy
caramel
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced Centennial hop character—citrus and floral notes dominate immediately.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Alpha King

◎ Appearance

Alpha King presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a full, creamy head that displays strong lacing as the beer is consumed. The carbonation is lively and persistent, creating a visually appetizing presentation that reflects the beer's assertive character.

golden, cleardense headgood lacingbright carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced Centennial hop character—citrus and floral notes dominate immediately. Beneath the hops lies a subtle caramel malt sweetness that adds depth without overwhelming the aromatic profile, creating a balanced and inviting first impression.

citrus-forwardfloral hopscaramel sweetnessclean hop aroma

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a clean malt base that carries light caramel notes, quickly followed by assertive hop bitterness and citrus character. The mid-palate maintains good balance between the hop bite and residual malt sweetness, with a crisp, refreshing quality that drives the flavor forward without harsh edges.

citrus, pinehop-drivenmoderate bitternessmalt backbone

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with hop bitterness fading to a clean, slightly spicy aftertaste. The beer leaves the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

dry finishbitter aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
84
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

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

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Alpha King

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About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →