A Battle of the Brews

While many will contend, only one will earn the crown. The Alpha King Challenge is a battle of the brews!  Since 1999, Hopunion LLC, along with Brewing News Publications and Three Floyds Brewing Company, has been scouring the country for the best hop-laden beers in the land. Each year, a team of brewers and veteran beer writers test the vigor of each year’s hoppy findings and crown a new Alpha King, deeming his beer to be the holy grail of well-balanced and drinkable, yet highly-hopped ales.

Congratulations go to Kirk McHale of Thai Me Up Brewery for claiming the 2012 Alpha King Crown! As a first time Alpha King entrant, Thai Me Up took the competition by storm and captured the crown with 2x4, a self-proclaimed quadruple pale ale (Double IPA), beating out 128 other entries from 98 breweries across the country.

When asked about their winning entry, Thai Me Up credited the Wu-tang Clan as inspiration during the brewing process – claiming “Hops like Wu-Tang!” “In Jackson, there’s nothing that’s been done like it. It’s crystal clear but with 10% alcohol. It's super clear with no filtering. The smell is fantastic. It’s delicious!”

The 2012 Alpha King court was rounded out by Mitch Steele of Stone Brewing in Escondido, California who took second place with Stone Enjoy By 11.09.12 IPA. Shawn McIlhenney of Alpine Beer Company in Alpine, California took third with Bad Boy Double IPA.

Named in honor of Three Floyd’s Alpha King Pale Ale, the Alpha King Challenge is an annual competition held during the Great American Beer FestivalSM and is open to commercially licensed breweries throughout the United States. Entries are judged on overall quality and balance of flavor, and must have a minimum 60 IBUs (no barley wines allowed).

Questions regarding the Alpha King Challenge can be directed to alphaking@hopunion.com. 

 THE KING'S COURT