Wild Wolf Brewing Alpha Ale
Of the few Wild Wolf beers I’ve had since their inception, this 5.1% ABV American Pale is, hands-down my favorite. Alpha Ale couldn’t be any better named — it fits the brewery’s motif perfectly and speaks toward the higher alpha-acid carrying hops (Citra, Columbus and Cascade) utilized in its creation.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Alpha Ale isn’t something that is going to cause you to, uhm, howl at the moon due to any sort of over-the-top hop bitterness. The beer does pack a potent hop punch, but also balances it wonderfully with just the right amount of caramel and malt character. The result is a great tasting, refreshing beer that doesn’t last too long in my fridge.
Appearance
A light tan head drops smoothly over the rich amber brew.
Aroma
A solid caramel and malt backbone support grapefruit, distant pine and a touch of orange. The beer smells pretty damn good.
Taste
A strong, biting hop presence leads the way with a blast of grapefruit and pine resin. The moderate malt sweetness comes in late as toasted bread and caramel tame the initial assertiveness of the hop presence. There’s an earthy quality to the beer that gives it a bit of a “raw” character. The brew ends with a drying finish that is appropriate for the style. Again, darn tasty.
Overall
Like I said in the intro, I haven’t met a Wild Wolf product that I like better than their Alpha Ale. The brew packs a great hop flavor and is dangerously smooth drinking. That reminds me, I need to make a beer run this weekend.
Rating: 4/5
