Dixen (1465), Flagstaff, Arizona, USA Feb 15, 2006 Very intersting nose, huge coffee aromas but yet big notes of fresh piney hops, some nice underlying sweetness with notes of vanilla, dark fruits, light pepper and bitter dark chocolate. Completely black with a beautiful thick and creamy tan head on top. Big roasty flavor which turns into a sort of burnt hoppyness, very delicious. Notes of ground coffee, bitter dark chocolate and dark fruits, ends on a lasting bitter note. Velvet smooth texture. Extremely delicious brew and very drinkable. Kevster (222), Bradenton, Florida, USA Feb 5, 2006 22 oz. Bottle: Pours black with a light brown head that is fully lasting. Before I could even hold my glass up I immediately smelled the roasty aroma with hints of coffee and chocolate. Initial and finishing flavor is a bitter coffee and dark chocolate flavor. A delicious brew that I’ve been saving for Super Bowl Sunday. drainey (231), Chicago, Illinois, USA Feb 4, 2006 22 oz. bottle. Dark black body with good sized brown head. Aroma of coffee, vanilla, some hops. Flavor is very hoppy with notes of grapefruit, coffee and vanilla. I found it had a bit overcarbonated mouthfeel. I thought it was good but not great. jmuhops (663), Winchester, Virginia, USA Feb 2, 2006 Pours nearly black with a dark tan, two-finger head. Aroma is piney and peppery, with a good deal of smoky dark malts. Bitter chocolate, coffee, and piney hops in the flavor. Prickly mouthfeel; a little less carbonation would be better. Still, a damn fine beer. DrBayern (1135), Morehead City, North Carolina, USA Jan 29, 2006 There ain’t any light coming through this baby! Jjet black with a creamy brown head that really sticks to the glass, just beautiful. Roasted malt aromas and a big piney hop presence. Lusciously smooth and full mouthfeel supports flavors of bittersweet chocolate, strong coffee, and roasted malt. Hop flavors of pine, pepper, and grapefruit lead into a wonderfully bitter finish. What a glorious porter. TheBeerLover (1019), DC Metro Area, USA Jan 28, 2006 Updated: Apr 28, 2006Alpha Klaus pours to a boot polish black color, with a thick and creamy tan head, and a soft to moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer just smacks you in the face with very pungent and vibrant citrus and piney hops, paired with aromas of dark chocolate and sweet malt. The palate on this beer is rich and full, with huge dark malt, dark chocolate, caramel, coffee, and fruity/plummy estery flavors. Alpha Klaus finishes with more intense dark chocolate and malt flavors up front, then ends with a huge smack of intense, citrus/piney hop bitterness that lingers for quite some time.
Wow. This beer is just packed with huge hop aromas, big chocolate flavors, and mouth puckering bitterness. FFF fans will love this over the top version of Christmas Porter, and Alpha Klaus is a must have Christmas beer, for any beer geek. Retailing for $8-$9 a 22 oz bomber bottle, this beer is well worth the price for those interested in a Christmas porter that breaks all the rules. Normal beer drinkers need not apply for this one. The label on this one is the Alpha King wearing a Santa Claus hat, and Alpha Klaus is most generous with the hops. This beer is high on the IBU scale, I’m guessing close to 100 IBU’s, and "its not normal" for a porter, to be such a hop blast of a beer. I loved this one, and will be getting more for the Christmas season. Enjoy this one as a great beer to drink during the Christmas season. imzugzug (103), Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, USA Jan 24, 2006 Exceptional porter. Big piney aroma with lots of chocolate and roasted goodness. Taste was almost identical to the aroma. Great big pine hops gives this a slight bitterness and dry finish. Very drinkable. lethe (168), Stony Brook by way of Cincinnati, New York, USA Jan 24, 2006 Porter dark pour with significant khaki head atop some serious lacing. Nose is robust with roast, chocolate, and an amazingly floral hop presence. Mouthfeel is heavy and thick. Flavor starts with a distinct roast character that is rounded out with alcohol and assetive hops. It sometimes seems like TF tries to do too much with their brews but this one comes off quite well. Impressive in depth and drinkability.
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