Summer Beer (That Doesn't Taste Like Water)

Ok... I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you're like me (somebody who's standard beer is anything by Stone) you generally steer clear of anything that claims to be a summer beer or a session beer. I personally hate the lack of robust flavor that tends to come with these "refreshing lawn mowing beers".

However, Three Floyds brewery out of Munster, IN went and performed themselves a miracle with their Alpha King Pale Ale. A friend of mine recently (well, not really) bought me some of this beer while on a trip to Illinois and I'm glad he did. Three Floyds successfully brewed a beer thats not only refreshing and light, but also packs some serious flavor.

When I first popped open the beer I noticed a very familiar smell that got me excited; it smells almost exactly like Troegs Nugget Nectar. I then took a sip and was extremely impressed with the balance of flavor and refreshment. The smell proves to be very misleading, but not in a bad way. While the taste has all of the subtle flavors that the smell suggests, it is not nearly as strong as expected. But, if you're looking for a warm weather beer that is a definite plus.

If I could actually find this beer in PA, it would be one of my go-to beers this summer. So if you're ever in an area where this beer is available I suggest picking up a 6 pack.

Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale
Munster, IN

ABV% 6.00

American Pale Ale

Appearance: Redish Brown, 1/4in white head

Aromatics: Sweet Hops

Taste: Hops, light malt

Notes: Great Smell, light in taste, but very refreshing

87

Harrisburg's Seasonal Heavy Weight

Nugget Nectar: the Nectar of the gods or over-hyped hoppiness?

Nugget Nectar on cask at Zeno's... It's been long awaited and there have been whispers of its coming for weeks, the first two casks lasted less then a week. People came in mid day just to make sure they got a pint and I was looking forward to it just as much as everyone else.

Troegs labels it as a Imperial Amber. So what does that actually mean? As many of us at Zeno's like to say when people ask for an amber... Amber is a color... Troegs Nugget Nectar is an Imperial or stronger (to over simplify the term) version of their Hop Back Ale, which is named after a vessel in the brewhouse called a hopback. (if you wanna know what it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopback) The Nugget Nectar is the hoppier and more flavorful older brother of the Hop Back. Both beers are classified as American Ambers or Red Ales.


For a beer with a slogan like: "Squeeze those hops for all they're worth and prepare to pucker up," I expected much more flavor, but the flavor that was there was great for hop lovers. Flowert hops with slight citrus and even some pine hints to it. It was a great balance and flavor if you like hopes, but for the hype id have liked stronger flavor and a little bit of a punch in the face. I expected more from an imperial version of their flagship beer, just like I've always expected a little more from the state capital that it comes from. Lets just say that its now quite up to the Philly or Pittsburgh quality that it could be.

- Nathan

QUICK TASTE

Troegs Nugget Nectar
Harrisburg, PA

ABV% 7.5

Imperial Amber

Appearance: Cloudy yellowish brown

Aromatics: Sweet Hops

Taste: Dry, Mellow, Hints of Citrus, Dominated by Hops

Notes: Made with five types of hops, Although this beer is very good I think it gets a little bit over-hyped because it only comes out once a year. However, it's definitely one of the better beers made by Troegs (and maybe even coming out of PA) and worth hunting down, especially if you like your hops.