Chico King: Pale Ale (Beer Camp Across America)
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico King: Pale Ale (Beer Camp Across America)Chico King: Pale Ale (Beer Camp Across America)
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From:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.61 | pDev: 10.53%
Reviews:
192
Ratings:
1,407
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 03, 2018
Added:
Jul 03, 2014
Wants:
  17
Gots:
  133
3 Floyds has a reputation as the Midwestern kings of alpha (hops), and it seems that one of our beers helped to lure them down the lupulin-paved path. Chico King is a mash-up of our mutual passion for hoppy pale ales and combines a uniquely robust malt body with intense citrusy and fruity new school hop varietals.

3 Floyds marches to the beat of their own (double kick) drum when it comes to collaboration, often partnering with comic book artists, tattoo parlors or heavy metal bands when inspiration strikes. These eclectic beers are coveted throughout the Midwest and some beers, like the legendary Dark Lord Imperial Stout, have spawned something akin to a beer-themed holiday in the brewery’s hometown of Muenster, IN.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Srkolodn:
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Rated by Srkolodn from New York

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%

Aug 13, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 03, 2018
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.61/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Had this for the first time at the Beer Camp Across America event in Chico.

Cool orange appearance and about 1.5" of white head. Aroma was hops, but not as pungent as you might think these two breweries could make together.

Taste is reminding me of SNPA in a big way, a little less Cascade hop and crystal/caramel malt, but the underpinnings still seem to be there. The hops here are more fruity, less bitter, less aggressive, the body is just as sweet but not as thick. Its not quite a blend of SNPA and Alpha King, but those are definite starting points that you can feel in this one. Seems like the malt bills are pretty similar, hops though are very different and more fruit forward here.
Feb 07, 2017
Photo of macrosmatic
Reviewed by macrosmatic from Florida

3.36/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
Reviewed from (very long-standing) notes. Consumed in late 2014. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Cigar City Brewing pint glass.

A: Pours a medium to dark gold, just a bit hazy. Forms a couple finger's of white head that lasts for a good while with average visible carbonation.

S: Resin with floral and grassy hops. A cracker malt body. Not a big aroma overall.

T: Follows the nose – grassy and floral hops, a touch of citrus rind. A hefty malt base for an APA, and one that comes across as quite bready. Light bitterness lasts into the hang.

S: Medium body, with good carbonation sensation. The alcohol seems a little prominent for the style.

O: Nothing offensive in the way of an APA, but absolutely forgettable. Nothing to make this stand out at all.
Feb 07, 2017
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

2.81/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Bottled 5/15/14; drank 7/16/14 @ the Yarchives.

Poured from the bottle into a glass.

Clear orange/red hue.

HUGE eggshell head (careful pouring!); a curtain of lace.

Ham, mild toffee & acrid smoke nose?! Gross; I'm worried.

Medium thin mouthfeel.

Pickle juice flavor with mild mango lurking in the shadows somewhere. Barely drinkable.
Dec 30, 2016
 
Rated: 3.76 by Hazen from Germany

Jun 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.24 by AD17 from New Jersey

Apr 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.17 by Briken from Washington

Jan 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by MasterRigger from North Carolina

Dec 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by CharlesK from Pennsylvania

Nov 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.67 by KingEdward from North Carolina

Oct 21, 2015
Photo of Mitchster
Reviewed by Mitchster from Michigan

3.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours out to a slightly hazy burnt orange. Thin layer of silt at the bottom of the bottle. Forms a thick large meringue style yellow head with beautiful retention and thick lacing. The nose is probably a bit muted from it's original form as this is a bit old, but has a touch of kiwi fruit, tropical fruit and subtle pine and floral. Mouthfeel is a bit prickly, not too acidic, medium bodied. Taste of kiwi, a touch of biscuit malt?, a bit grainy and husky, medium firm bitterness, kiwi floral is the best way to describe it. No pineapple, mango or cat pee here. Finishes dry.
A decent pale ale with it's own character but it doesn't do a lot for me.
Oct 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.22 by vfgccp from New York

Aug 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by jpuetz from South Dakota

Aug 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.65 by Warren2621 from Indiana

Jul 08, 2015
Photo of jzlyo
Rated by jzlyo from Iowa

3.55/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Aroma is yeast, citrus, mild spices and white bread. The flavor is citrus, white bread, malts, slight heat and a mildly bitter finish.
Jun 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.42 by ricoslim from Florida

Jun 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.16 by Faxmesomehalibut from New Hampshire

Apr 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by ArkyVaughan from New Jersey

Apr 14, 2015
Photo of feloniousmonk
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota

4.06/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Clear, bright amber coloring, lush, creamy head, leaving lace, looking lovely.

Aroma: spills out of the glass. Floral, spicy, citric. Delicate and glorious.

Taste: Mmm, bitter. Mmm, fruity. Not too much this, not too much that, in every way a triumphantly hopped pale ale, not an overdone IPA. Lush, plump sweet malt keeps it all together. Balance is key here. This is no monster, no imperial anything. It's just a big bunch of yum, is what it is.

I want to know more, so I'm peeking at the label: "This pale ale packs plenty of bright, fruit-forward resinous hop varietals above a robust malt body." That's the bottleneck. Now, the back: "3 Floyds has a reputation as the Midwestern kings of alpha (hops), and it seems our flagship beer helped lure them down the lupulin-paved path. Chico King is a mash-up of our mutual passion for hoppy pale ales and we suspect you'll find it fit for royalty."

So, what is it? It's not SNPA, and it's not Alpha King, but it's somewhere in between. And to tell you the truth? I'd rather have the others. This mash-up doesn't make a better beer. It's good, don't get me wrong, it's just not better.
Apr 08, 2015
Chico King: Pale Ale (Beer Camp Across America) from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 1407 ratings