Alpha Klaus Christmas (Xmas) Porter | 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Indiana, United States | website
Style: American Porter
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
Alpha King’s festive cousin. A big American Christmas Porter brewed with English chocolate malt, Mexican sugar and of course, tons of strange American hops. Cheers!
38 IBU
Added by zerk on 12-06-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 749 | Ratings: 2,174
4.09/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From notes. An opaque, dark brown color with a thick tan head and good retention, Moderate aroma for a porter. Predominately chocolate malt and coffee, but a subtle pine aroma as well. A nice porter having a good chocolate malt base along with a moderate sweet coffee flavor. Unique piney hops with a hint of citrus to add a different subtlety to the flavor. Smooth and balanced that finishes clean.
★ 405 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From notes. An opaque, dark brown color with a thick tan head and good retention, Moderate aroma for a porter. Predominately chocolate malt and coffee, but a subtle pine aroma as well. A nice porter having a good chocolate malt base along with a moderate sweet coffee flavor. Unique piney hops with a hint of citrus to add a different subtlety to the flavor. Smooth and balanced that finishes clean.
★ 405 characters
4.36/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased from a liquor store cooler in July 2015. Bottled in 2014 (exact days and month are blurred out). Poured in to a tulip-snifter.
Look - Tan with white swirls in head (like an espresso head). It is thick for the pour with very fine, creamy bubbles. The body is dark black. Head stuck around for a bit and left lacing. Very tasty looking beer.
Smell - Hoppy and malty. A lot of chocolate and coffee once the hop aroma gives up. There is a smell here I can't identify. I don't know if it is a combination of the hops and chocolate that I don't pick up in a Black IPA. I best describe it as the chewy end of gum that has lost its flavor.
Taste - No Christmas spice as expected. Chocolate and coffee. Hops linger throughout but not overpowering (maybe because of the late pour).
Feel - Very creamy but not too heavy. Bitterness does not bite the tongue. No carbonation bomb.
Overall - This is not a Christmas beer, so I did not get my Christmas in July. This is, however, a beer that is on its way to being a Black IPA but still holds true to everything good in a porter. Thumbs up for the Mexican sugar!
★ 1,116 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased from a liquor store cooler in July 2015. Bottled in 2014 (exact days and month are blurred out). Poured in to a tulip-snifter.
Look - Tan with white swirls in head (like an espresso head). It is thick for the pour with very fine, creamy bubbles. The body is dark black. Head stuck around for a bit and left lacing. Very tasty looking beer.
Smell - Hoppy and malty. A lot of chocolate and coffee once the hop aroma gives up. There is a smell here I can't identify. I don't know if it is a combination of the hops and chocolate that I don't pick up in a Black IPA. I best describe it as the chewy end of gum that has lost its flavor.
Taste - No Christmas spice as expected. Chocolate and coffee. Hops linger throughout but not overpowering (maybe because of the late pour).
Feel - Very creamy but not too heavy. Bitterness does not bite the tongue. No carbonation bomb.
Overall - This is not a Christmas beer, so I did not get my Christmas in July. This is, however, a beer that is on its way to being a Black IPA but still holds true to everything good in a porter. Thumbs up for the Mexican sugar!
★ 1,116 characters
3.98/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Light bodied mouthfeel with a balanced attack of spices. Didn't have the overhopped bitterness that 3 Floyds does with all of their dark beers although I imagine it was as hopped as usual, this was a nice easy drinker for me.
★ 225 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Light bodied mouthfeel with a balanced attack of spices. Didn't have the overhopped bitterness that 3 Floyds does with all of their dark beers although I imagine it was as hopped as usual, this was a nice easy drinker for me.
★ 225 characters
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Aroma is pine, coffee, light toffee and slight vinous notes. The flavor is dark malts, coffee, mild/medium grapefruit, hop resin, vinous notes and an acidic/tart/sour finish.
★ 174 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Aroma is pine, coffee, light toffee and slight vinous notes. The flavor is dark malts, coffee, mild/medium grapefruit, hop resin, vinous notes and an acidic/tart/sour finish.
★ 174 characters
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Resinous and piney hops, hint of citrus but really that wreath taste. The references to Christmas spice are total hallucinations, in the same way the references to spice in Sierra Nevada are hallucinations. A bizarre concoction ... I'm a lover of black IPAs and this has some of the tones that I love there, but the introduction of a strong porter coffee malt flavor throws me off. It's a strange beer.
★ 402 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Resinous and piney hops, hint of citrus but really that wreath taste. The references to Christmas spice are total hallucinations, in the same way the references to spice in Sierra Nevada are hallucinations. A bizarre concoction ... I'm a lover of black IPAs and this has some of the tones that I love there, but the introduction of a strong porter coffee malt flavor throws me off. It's a strange beer.
★ 402 characters
4.34/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Chocolatey porter with a heavy dose of resiny hops. The hops are a welcome addition and to be expected from a FFF offering. Nice smokiness to go along with dark roasty character without overwhelming the more nuanced characteristics.
★ 232 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Chocolatey porter with a heavy dose of resiny hops. The hops are a welcome addition and to be expected from a FFF offering. Nice smokiness to go along with dark roasty character without overwhelming the more nuanced characteristics.
★ 232 characters
3.97/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
*Transferred from old notes - 12/23/2013* 22oz bomber poured into a snifter. The aroma of Xmas spices came through strong at first (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and anise?), although it gave way to a damp, basement-like smells. There is some light roasted nut smells in the background too, but the smell finally settles on a light spruce and floral smells. A very thick, creamy brown head forms and sticks around for awhile leaving an even blanket of lacing on the way down the glass. This sits atop a dark, opaque coffee color body. It mostly chocolate malt sweet with some very mild coffee bitter notes to it. It’s light bodied, mostly flat (although there is some trace carbonation) with a creamy, but slick, feel to it. It finishes with a roasty coffee flavor coating the mouth. Accompanying the coffee aftertaste are notes of some chocolate malt, maybe some brown sugar to it and some citrus zest, as well as notes of the Xmas spices mentioned earlier in the aroma.
★ 971 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
*Transferred from old notes - 12/23/2013* 22oz bomber poured into a snifter. The aroma of Xmas spices came through strong at first (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and anise?), although it gave way to a damp, basement-like smells. There is some light roasted nut smells in the background too, but the smell finally settles on a light spruce and floral smells. A very thick, creamy brown head forms and sticks around for awhile leaving an even blanket of lacing on the way down the glass. This sits atop a dark, opaque coffee color body. It mostly chocolate malt sweet with some very mild coffee bitter notes to it. It’s light bodied, mostly flat (although there is some trace carbonation) with a creamy, but slick, feel to it. It finishes with a roasty coffee flavor coating the mouth. Accompanying the coffee aftertaste are notes of some chocolate malt, maybe some brown sugar to it and some citrus zest, as well as notes of the Xmas spices mentioned earlier in the aroma.
★ 971 characters
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
On tap at FFF brewpub poured into a half pint. Appearance is very dark brown with little light coming through. A stiff tan head stands an inch over the beer. It clings tightly to the glass in patches as the session goes on and Finding Nemo flashes on the screens in the pub. Aroma is pine, cocoa, roasted malt, and the slightest bit of orange peel. Quite hoppy for a porter. Taste is initially bitter with spruce and anise. Then the essence of one of those chocolate-wrapped oranges from Christmastime slides in. Roasty and charred notes on the swallow. Medium body, creamy, but thinner than it looks, moderate carbonation, semi-dry finish.
★ 640 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
On tap at FFF brewpub poured into a half pint. Appearance is very dark brown with little light coming through. A stiff tan head stands an inch over the beer. It clings tightly to the glass in patches as the session goes on and Finding Nemo flashes on the screens in the pub. Aroma is pine, cocoa, roasted malt, and the slightest bit of orange peel. Quite hoppy for a porter. Taste is initially bitter with spruce and anise. Then the essence of one of those chocolate-wrapped oranges from Christmastime slides in. Roasty and charred notes on the swallow. Medium body, creamy, but thinner than it looks, moderate carbonation, semi-dry finish.
★ 640 characters
4.32/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
We pop a bomber, pouring into our Great Lakes pint glasses. It shows a deep, smoldering molasses coloring that blocks out most light, even when held directly to it. A two finger head of mocha colored foam is produced, retaining excellently. Sheeted walls of lacing slowly etch themselves along the sides of our drinking vessels, and a stout, oily barrier separates the liquid from the rest of the world for the remainder of the tasting. No haze or sediment is appreciated, and carbonation appears to be moderate. The nose fills with sweetly floral, citric, and soapy hoppiness, toasted pine nuts, richly roasted chocolate maltiness, aluminum and coin, sweaty yeastiness, wet and fragrant rose petals, espresso beans, thyme and oregano, dried tobacco leafiness, charred marshmallows, chocolate wafers, vanilla cream icing, powdered Graham crackers, and pecan pie butteriness. This translates excellently into flavoring, showing notes of deeply roasted, but decently sweet, chocolate and coffee maltiness, crystal maltiness, floral, piney, and soapy hop brightness, molasses and soy sauce metallics, burnt marshmallow and burnt toothpick woodiness, salted caramel, slate and board chalk, mild spice of cinnamon and black pepper, lemon juice acidity, earthen grit, truffle oil, watered teriyaki sauce, and light fruitiness of raspberry jam puck. The aftertaste draws out a long char, like drawing off the back of a dusty, well-used pipe. The body is medium, but still highly silky and oily, while the carbonation is soft and medium. Each sip gives nice slurp, smack, cream, froth, and cleansing finishing pop. With a swirl around the mouth things get even more foamy, coating it thoroughly before dripping into the mildest chalky dryness and puck. The abv is appropriate, and the beer disappears quite quickly.
Overall, Alpha Klaus sure has some hidden smokiness up its sleeves. At first you don’t really get it. Things remain all about the hops, and the balancing sweetness of your nicely warming base porter, which is superb. Once temperatures start to rise, however, is when the grain begins to show its true form. This particular component is more true through the taste, but in the nose, the hops enhance even further, taking center stage. These hops show off just enough evergreen hoppiness to keep things decidedly in the Xmas spirit. Speaking stylistically, this is a wonderful, true hybrid. It has all of the amazing hoppiness and oily bite of your best black ales or black IPAs, but with a much, much greater and tastier base porter to build off of.
★ 2,577 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
We pop a bomber, pouring into our Great Lakes pint glasses. It shows a deep, smoldering molasses coloring that blocks out most light, even when held directly to it. A two finger head of mocha colored foam is produced, retaining excellently. Sheeted walls of lacing slowly etch themselves along the sides of our drinking vessels, and a stout, oily barrier separates the liquid from the rest of the world for the remainder of the tasting. No haze or sediment is appreciated, and carbonation appears to be moderate. The nose fills with sweetly floral, citric, and soapy hoppiness, toasted pine nuts, richly roasted chocolate maltiness, aluminum and coin, sweaty yeastiness, wet and fragrant rose petals, espresso beans, thyme and oregano, dried tobacco leafiness, charred marshmallows, chocolate wafers, vanilla cream icing, powdered Graham crackers, and pecan pie butteriness. This translates excellently into flavoring, showing notes of deeply roasted, but decently sweet, chocolate and coffee maltiness, crystal maltiness, floral, piney, and soapy hop brightness, molasses and soy sauce metallics, burnt marshmallow and burnt toothpick woodiness, salted caramel, slate and board chalk, mild spice of cinnamon and black pepper, lemon juice acidity, earthen grit, truffle oil, watered teriyaki sauce, and light fruitiness of raspberry jam puck. The aftertaste draws out a long char, like drawing off the back of a dusty, well-used pipe. The body is medium, but still highly silky and oily, while the carbonation is soft and medium. Each sip gives nice slurp, smack, cream, froth, and cleansing finishing pop. With a swirl around the mouth things get even more foamy, coating it thoroughly before dripping into the mildest chalky dryness and puck. The abv is appropriate, and the beer disappears quite quickly.
Overall, Alpha Klaus sure has some hidden smokiness up its sleeves. At first you don’t really get it. Things remain all about the hops, and the balancing sweetness of your nicely warming base porter, which is superb. Once temperatures start to rise, however, is when the grain begins to show its true form. This particular component is more true through the taste, but in the nose, the hops enhance even further, taking center stage. These hops show off just enough evergreen hoppiness to keep things decidedly in the Xmas spirit. Speaking stylistically, this is a wonderful, true hybrid. It has all of the amazing hoppiness and oily bite of your best black ales or black IPAs, but with a much, much greater and tastier base porter to build off of.
★ 2,577 characters
3.94/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Dark brown body. Nice thin mocha head that is silky and fine. Aroma of soft malt, light spice, some bakers chocolate, and easy hops. The spice and sugar from our neighbors to the south definitely gives this a leg up. The taste needs more "umph." It is somewhat watery, but it has a nice char finish. The dense after carb is nice, but the carbonation up front is too much. The medium body is satisfactory.
Overall - This makes me long for Xocoveza and/or Belching Beaver Horchata Imp Stout. This beer is no match for either of those, but it is pretty good. Should I be comparing them to those two beers? Of course.
★ 625 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Dark brown body. Nice thin mocha head that is silky and fine. Aroma of soft malt, light spice, some bakers chocolate, and easy hops. The spice and sugar from our neighbors to the south definitely gives this a leg up. The taste needs more "umph." It is somewhat watery, but it has a nice char finish. The dense after carb is nice, but the carbonation up front is too much. The medium body is satisfactory.
Overall - This makes me long for Xocoveza and/or Belching Beaver Horchata Imp Stout. This beer is no match for either of those, but it is pretty good. Should I be comparing them to those two beers? Of course.
★ 625 characters
3.91/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottled on 11/13/2014, sampled and reviewed on February 17, 2015.
Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a pint glass. Pours a very dark brown with red undertones around the edges. Massive 3 finger head and is a light, soft brown. Smells of spices, malt, caramel, chocolate, and molasses. Overall smell is nice but seems like it's missing something. Initial taste brings lots of hoppy goodness with a slight bitterness that only lasts for a second or two. Hints of chocolate and spices are the dominant flavors I get. Moderately heavy weight as expected, but a very smooth finish. Aftertatste is lingering sweetness and malt.
Very drinkable beer, but seems to me like it's just missing something I was hoping for. I would probably buy it again if I ran into it on the shelf, but probabaly not one I'd seek out in the future.
★ 821 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottled on 11/13/2014, sampled and reviewed on February 17, 2015.
Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a pint glass. Pours a very dark brown with red undertones around the edges. Massive 3 finger head and is a light, soft brown. Smells of spices, malt, caramel, chocolate, and molasses. Overall smell is nice but seems like it's missing something. Initial taste brings lots of hoppy goodness with a slight bitterness that only lasts for a second or two. Hints of chocolate and spices are the dominant flavors I get. Moderately heavy weight as expected, but a very smooth finish. Aftertatste is lingering sweetness and malt.
Very drinkable beer, but seems to me like it's just missing something I was hoping for. I would probably buy it again if I ran into it on the shelf, but probabaly not one I'd seek out in the future.
★ 821 characters
4.23/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.
Deep dark and opaque walnut brown and nearly black. Not a bit of light is getting through this at all and fairly all one color. Head is a big fluffy and tan three to four fingers tall. Big retention and lots of staying power, looking like a very aggressive porter here.
Real nice aroma. Hints of sugar mint and some nice minty chocolate and milky angles. Some hints of floral hop and a good roast simple angle. Quite inviting, almost hints at some tea like herbality as well, but with an interesting hop angle more on a different herbal angle.
Palate is nice and simple. Light bodied cream and somewhat milky, with a good roasting char that's balanced on the finish. Nice almost juiced hop presence that really gives a nice bitterness to the minty light sweetness. Mid palate comes off fruity and minty like a nice breath mint. Real nice warming coffee angle which comes as the beer warms up as well.
A real nice seasonal porter, excellent brew, maybe not one I am going to fall seriously in love with, but one I would make part of my holiday tradition, and one I will remember for sure.
★ 1,149 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.
Deep dark and opaque walnut brown and nearly black. Not a bit of light is getting through this at all and fairly all one color. Head is a big fluffy and tan three to four fingers tall. Big retention and lots of staying power, looking like a very aggressive porter here.
Real nice aroma. Hints of sugar mint and some nice minty chocolate and milky angles. Some hints of floral hop and a good roast simple angle. Quite inviting, almost hints at some tea like herbality as well, but with an interesting hop angle more on a different herbal angle.
Palate is nice and simple. Light bodied cream and somewhat milky, with a good roasting char that's balanced on the finish. Nice almost juiced hop presence that really gives a nice bitterness to the minty light sweetness. Mid palate comes off fruity and minty like a nice breath mint. Real nice warming coffee angle which comes as the beer warms up as well.
A real nice seasonal porter, excellent brew, maybe not one I am going to fall seriously in love with, but one I would make part of my holiday tradition, and one I will remember for sure.
★ 1,149 characters
4.27/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This was a pleasant departure from the normal assortment of porters that are out there. I picked up hops and Christmas spices on the nose. This is really the first beer I've had where the hop presence was in the taste, but not in a dominating(unpleasant for me) manner. Overall a good beer, would have again.
★ 311 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This was a pleasant departure from the normal assortment of porters that are out there. I picked up hops and Christmas spices on the nose. This is really the first beer I've had where the hop presence was in the taste, but not in a dominating(unpleasant for me) manner. Overall a good beer, would have again.
★ 311 characters
3.88/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Duvel snifter glass.
A - 4.75 - Pours a jet black color, forms a nice finger and a half of extremely dark tan to light brown colored head. Really good head potential and retention, nice, solid lacing is left on the walls of the glass.
S - 3 - Middle of the road here. There is a decent amount of malts and cocoa, but the hops seem a bit overdone in the aroma.
T - 4 - Very unique, never had a porter quite like it. There is a quite large bite of carbonation upfront I'm not too keen on, but this fades into bittersweet chocolate, cocoa nibs, malts, and strangely enough, there is a very distinct nuttiness, quite savory ones. Straight boiled peanuts mix with a hoppy ending in a way that sounds strange in text but works very well. Make no mistake though, this beer is very much savory and not too sweet.
F - 4.25 - Nice thick mouthfeel.
O - 4.25 - A very unique and good porter. Is unlike any other I've tasted and is recommended to fans of the style looking for something a little different from the beaten path.
★ 1,030 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Duvel snifter glass.
A - 4.75 - Pours a jet black color, forms a nice finger and a half of extremely dark tan to light brown colored head. Really good head potential and retention, nice, solid lacing is left on the walls of the glass.
S - 3 - Middle of the road here. There is a decent amount of malts and cocoa, but the hops seem a bit overdone in the aroma.
T - 4 - Very unique, never had a porter quite like it. There is a quite large bite of carbonation upfront I'm not too keen on, but this fades into bittersweet chocolate, cocoa nibs, malts, and strangely enough, there is a very distinct nuttiness, quite savory ones. Straight boiled peanuts mix with a hoppy ending in a way that sounds strange in text but works very well. Make no mistake though, this beer is very much savory and not too sweet.
F - 4.25 - Nice thick mouthfeel.
O - 4.25 - A very unique and good porter. Is unlike any other I've tasted and is recommended to fans of the style looking for something a little different from the beaten path.
★ 1,030 characters
4.6/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
After I had bought this, I realized that it wasn't a bigger beer so I was slightly hesitant to crack into this one but was not dissapointed in the end.
A - Rich black color with very fluffy brown head. Sticky lacing all the way down. Very clear. Pours pretty thick for a normal ABV porter.
S - First smell is full of citrus, floral, and fruity hops. Far more hops than expected and after the hops the chocolate, roasted malt character comes through. Much hoppier than any porter I've ever had.
T - The flavor is much the same with the citrusy hop character true on the tongue. The middle taste has a full flavored porter at the heart with rich malt, chocolate, and some roasty/coffee tones. Sweeter than a stout but with enough of the roast character to balance. The hops hold through until the end with a nice soft bitterness mixed with the bitter chocolate of the porter.
M - Medium to full mouth-feel with the tones of sweetness. Medium carbonation. Sits very much like a regular porter on the palate with some coating but not cloying.
Overall, the hoppiest porter I've had and I would qualify it just as 3 Floyds has as a cousin of Alpha King. It is like a well endowed black and tan with a mix of Alpha King and Anchor porter. This isn't their best beer and I'm not quite sure what the "Christmas" motif is supposed to bring since there is no spices or big ABV which are typical hallmarks of Christmas beer but it is good none the less. This would be a good winter session beer since it is both robust and hoppy.
Glass- Imperial Nonic Pint
★ 1,554 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
After I had bought this, I realized that it wasn't a bigger beer so I was slightly hesitant to crack into this one but was not dissapointed in the end.
A - Rich black color with very fluffy brown head. Sticky lacing all the way down. Very clear. Pours pretty thick for a normal ABV porter.
S - First smell is full of citrus, floral, and fruity hops. Far more hops than expected and after the hops the chocolate, roasted malt character comes through. Much hoppier than any porter I've ever had.
T - The flavor is much the same with the citrusy hop character true on the tongue. The middle taste has a full flavored porter at the heart with rich malt, chocolate, and some roasty/coffee tones. Sweeter than a stout but with enough of the roast character to balance. The hops hold through until the end with a nice soft bitterness mixed with the bitter chocolate of the porter.
M - Medium to full mouth-feel with the tones of sweetness. Medium carbonation. Sits very much like a regular porter on the palate with some coating but not cloying.
Overall, the hoppiest porter I've had and I would qualify it just as 3 Floyds has as a cousin of Alpha King. It is like a well endowed black and tan with a mix of Alpha King and Anchor porter. This isn't their best beer and I'm not quite sure what the "Christmas" motif is supposed to bring since there is no spices or big ABV which are typical hallmarks of Christmas beer but it is good none the less. This would be a good winter session beer since it is both robust and hoppy.
Glass- Imperial Nonic Pint
★ 1,554 characters
4.8/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
One of the greatest winter warmers in the market! A robust porter with a festive flavor. It is a malty beer with a west coast hop slam. A beautiful bitter dark chocolate mixed in with dark roasted coffee. A little hint of spices.
★ 229 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
One of the greatest winter warmers in the market! A robust porter with a festive flavor. It is a malty beer with a west coast hop slam. A beautiful bitter dark chocolate mixed in with dark roasted coffee. A little hint of spices.
★ 229 characters
4.47/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Had on multiple occasions, this review is on two fresh bottles.
Beautiful dark, rich body with a creamy mocha head. Typical Three Floyds.... so many hops! They call this a porter but really, it drinks close to a Black IPA. Piney and resinous hops blend extremely well with the smooth and bold malts. Great body and rich mouthfeel without being viscous or syrupy. The holiday spices just barely peek out, but are there if you go looking. Hops really show up throughout, including the bitter and dry finish.
Never get sick of this one, and look forward to it every year. I would drink all year around as a treat when I can't decide between dark and hoppy. Booya.
★ 662 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Had on multiple occasions, this review is on two fresh bottles.
Beautiful dark, rich body with a creamy mocha head. Typical Three Floyds.... so many hops! They call this a porter but really, it drinks close to a Black IPA. Piney and resinous hops blend extremely well with the smooth and bold malts. Great body and rich mouthfeel without being viscous or syrupy. The holiday spices just barely peek out, but are there if you go looking. Hops really show up throughout, including the bitter and dry finish.
Never get sick of this one, and look forward to it every year. I would drink all year around as a treat when I can't decide between dark and hoppy. Booya.
★ 662 characters
4.49/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I really enjoyed this brew. Heavy look, but not quite as heavy a taste (of course that depends on your definition of heavy), but extremely tasty and smooth. Very good holiday porter. Looks as smooth as it tastes. Unfortunately, with a bit of a cold, I cannot give any good smell descriptions as I basically have none. But I truly enjoyed this beer.
★ 348 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I really enjoyed this brew. Heavy look, but not quite as heavy a taste (of course that depends on your definition of heavy), but extremely tasty and smooth. Very good holiday porter. Looks as smooth as it tastes. Unfortunately, with a bit of a cold, I cannot give any good smell descriptions as I basically have none. But I truly enjoyed this beer.
★ 348 characters
4.7/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a bomber into a tulip
A. Dark brown with a khaki 1 finger head.
S. Smells great. Roasted malts with some chocolate and a little spice.
T. Backing up the nose roasted malts with some chocolate and a slight bitterness. Delicious.
M. Medium to thick. Some carbonation that subsides quickly. Finishes pretty clean.
O. I'm loving this beer. Nice roasted malt and chocolate both in the nose and on the palate. Looks beautiful. Finishes nice and clean. Isn't two thick. It's pretty close to perfect for a Christmas beer but for me anytime.
★ 550 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a bomber into a tulip
A. Dark brown with a khaki 1 finger head.
S. Smells great. Roasted malts with some chocolate and a little spice.
T. Backing up the nose roasted malts with some chocolate and a slight bitterness. Delicious.
M. Medium to thick. Some carbonation that subsides quickly. Finishes pretty clean.
O. I'm loving this beer. Nice roasted malt and chocolate both in the nose and on the palate. Looks beautiful. Finishes nice and clean. Isn't two thick. It's pretty close to perfect for a Christmas beer but for me anytime.
★ 550 characters
3.69/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a nonic pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a dark cola brown, almost black, with a 2 finger creamy medium tan head. Nice head retention and lacing.
Smell: Dark roasted malt with lots of hops and a touch of chocolate.
Taste: Piney and grassy hops up front followed by roasted malt and a hint of chocolate in the middle before ending with more piney and grassy hops. Aftertaste is fairly bitter with just a touch of semisweet chocolate. The flavor profile is nothing like any porter I've ever had.
Mouthfeel: Medium-to-full-bodied with a fairly high amount of carbonation.
Drinkability: Good drinkability. You'll have no difficulty finishing off a bomber on your own.
Overall: A good beer overall, but not really my idea of a porter. I also don't understand the Christmas connection with this one, but maybe it fits with 3 Floyds' motto of "It's Not Normal." This one is definitely worth trying.
★ 929 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a nonic pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a dark cola brown, almost black, with a 2 finger creamy medium tan head. Nice head retention and lacing.
Smell: Dark roasted malt with lots of hops and a touch of chocolate.
Taste: Piney and grassy hops up front followed by roasted malt and a hint of chocolate in the middle before ending with more piney and grassy hops. Aftertaste is fairly bitter with just a touch of semisweet chocolate. The flavor profile is nothing like any porter I've ever had.
Mouthfeel: Medium-to-full-bodied with a fairly high amount of carbonation.
Drinkability: Good drinkability. You'll have no difficulty finishing off a bomber on your own.
Overall: A good beer overall, but not really my idea of a porter. I also don't understand the Christmas connection with this one, but maybe it fits with 3 Floyds' motto of "It's Not Normal." This one is definitely worth trying.
★ 929 characters
4/5 rDev -3.6%
Slightly bitter nose with floral hops and coffee. I get a bit of of citrus, herb and pine from the hops, with a brewed coffee and chocolate malt.
The flavors are well balanced as a hoppy porter isn't overly appealing sounding. The hops are lightly blended with lemon, pine and ever so slight dankness. The porter like malt backbone isn't overwhelming and emits mostly coffee tones. There is some chocolate malt but the coffee is roasted, brewed and bitter.
This has a relatively full feel with a super easy drinkability and moderate carbonation. Very enjoyable!
★ 563 characters
Slightly bitter nose with floral hops and coffee. I get a bit of of citrus, herb and pine from the hops, with a brewed coffee and chocolate malt.
The flavors are well balanced as a hoppy porter isn't overly appealing sounding. The hops are lightly blended with lemon, pine and ever so slight dankness. The porter like malt backbone isn't overwhelming and emits mostly coffee tones. There is some chocolate malt but the coffee is roasted, brewed and bitter.
This has a relatively full feel with a super easy drinkability and moderate carbonation. Very enjoyable!
★ 563 characters
4.32/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Another review of a FFF beer. How does it stack relative to Alpha King, a beer of a totally different style (i.e., APA)? Here goes:
A: Like many other FFF beers, this beer looks exquisite. Dark, pitch black with a massive four-finger head. Leaves plenty of lacing as well. The beer is very well-carbonated.
S: I can see how the beer is related to Alpha King; it's relation is in the hops. The hop profile is exactly the same as Alpha King, even though the malt profile is completely different. Beer smells very grassy and citrusy - almost like a bouquet of flowers. This initial hop smell gives way to rich chocolate/coffee malts. Interesting mixture. Both hops and malt scents would be very good stand-alone; I'm not sure how well they combine, however.
T: Very good, but I like Alpha King a little more. The hops just jell better with the APA style. However, again, the beer's still quite good. Initial grassy/flowery hops give way to a very good malt backbone composed of chocolate, toffee, and rich coffee beans. Like most FFF beers, this one is very well-balanced between the malt and the hops.
F: Very good. Well-carbonated, thick, and refreshing.
O: A very good beer. Would have again even though Alpha King is better. A good seasonal release.
★ 1,277 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Another review of a FFF beer. How does it stack relative to Alpha King, a beer of a totally different style (i.e., APA)? Here goes:
A: Like many other FFF beers, this beer looks exquisite. Dark, pitch black with a massive four-finger head. Leaves plenty of lacing as well. The beer is very well-carbonated.
S: I can see how the beer is related to Alpha King; it's relation is in the hops. The hop profile is exactly the same as Alpha King, even though the malt profile is completely different. Beer smells very grassy and citrusy - almost like a bouquet of flowers. This initial hop smell gives way to rich chocolate/coffee malts. Interesting mixture. Both hops and malt scents would be very good stand-alone; I'm not sure how well they combine, however.
T: Very good, but I like Alpha King a little more. The hops just jell better with the APA style. However, again, the beer's still quite good. Initial grassy/flowery hops give way to a very good malt backbone composed of chocolate, toffee, and rich coffee beans. Like most FFF beers, this one is very well-balanced between the malt and the hops.
F: Very good. Well-carbonated, thick, and refreshing.
O: A very good beer. Would have again even though Alpha King is better. A good seasonal release.
★ 1,277 characters
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
Pours a dark opaque brown with 2 fingers of loose foam of khaki colour. Sweet, hoppy, lemon nose. Chocolate, mocha, with orange back tones. I got a bit of leather in the back also. Delicious for a porter!
★ 205 characters
Pours a dark opaque brown with 2 fingers of loose foam of khaki colour. Sweet, hoppy, lemon nose. Chocolate, mocha, with orange back tones. I got a bit of leather in the back also. Delicious for a porter!
★ 205 characters
4.12/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on 2014-12-02 in Clarksville, IN
A - Dark brown with a 1.5-finger light brown head with good lace.
S - Mocha, medium roasted grain, dark bread.
T - Sweet and dark chocolate, dark roasted/char grain, milk, earthy spice, Herbal, citrus zest and roast bitterness. Dries nicely.
M - Medium body and mild-medium carbonation. Creamy and smooth. Fairly substantial.
O - A very good brew. On par with Founders Porter
★ 426 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on 2014-12-02 in Clarksville, IN
A - Dark brown with a 1.5-finger light brown head with good lace.
S - Mocha, medium roasted grain, dark bread.
T - Sweet and dark chocolate, dark roasted/char grain, milk, earthy spice, Herbal, citrus zest and roast bitterness. Dries nicely.
M - Medium body and mild-medium carbonation. Creamy and smooth. Fairly substantial.
O - A very good brew. On par with Founders Porter
★ 426 characters
Alpha Klaus Christmas (Xmas) Porter from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
4.15
out of 5
based on 2,174 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Broke out the snifter from the new glass set my husband bought me!
Look: DARK. Like, pitch black. Nice mocha colored head.
Smell: Like I'm about to drink a FFF dark beer. Nothing shocking or new.
Taste: Coffee, smoke, hops, citrus (lemon?), then coffee again.
Feel: SPOT ON. Not too thick like an oatmeal stout, no watery-ness.
Overall: I'm about to go clean out my local super market's supply. That's right- I figured out that the high dollar specialty grocer down the road from my house has $10 bombers of all types, and $2 singles of stuff I still haven't heard o!
★ 576 characters