4th Annual Alpha King Challenge

<editor's note>
From the IBA Forum comes news of an awesome competition. Of course, most of you 
aren't worthy, true hopheads….. but then, what the hell, there may still be 
hope that you'll develop some taste.
</editor's note>

From: David Edgar 
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 3:32 PM
Subject: Alpha King Challenge Recognizes Beers from Calif.,
Ohio, Ore.

The 4th Annual Alpha King Challenge was held Friday,
October 4, at the Falling Rock Tap House in Denver in conjunction
with the 2002 GABF.  The event was sponsored and organized by
Hopunion CBS LLC, and Brewing News beer newspapers and is
named after the brand "Alpha King," a pale ale brewed by Three
Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster, Ind.  The Alpha King Challenge
invites a select group of brewers known for producing hoppier-than-
average beers to compete in a blind judging.  Entries are limited to
beers that are 60 IBUs (International Bitterness Units) and higher,
and that are available in bottles.  The beers were all analyzed by
an independent testing laboratory to ensure that they meet the 60
IBU standard.  While almost half of the beers entered were India
Pale Ales, there were also beers marketed as Double IPAs and
Imperial IPAs, as well some stouts and a few other styles.

Beers from around the country competed, and when it was over,
the panel of judges including beer writers, brewers and BJCP
judges selected not necessarily the hoppiest or bitterest beer, but
the best tasting of these hoppier-than-typical ales.  First place, for
the second year in a row, went to Moylan's Brewing Co. of Novato,
Calif., for "Moylander Double IPA."  In his acceptance speech,
wearing the Alpha King crown, founder and brewmaster Brendan
Moylan quoted from the copy on the brand's label: "Our Moylander
Double IPA is fat and resiny...double malt, double hops--do the
math, it's academic...."  Coming in second place in the Challenge
was relative newcomer Buckeye Brewing Co., Bedford Heights,
Ohio, with its "'76," named in reference to its generous use of
Centennial hops.  The judges were split on the third place beer,
and they settled it with a tie for third place between two Oregon
beers, "India Pelican Ale," from Pelican Pub and Brewery, Pacific
City, Ore., and "Imperial Pale Ale" from Rogue Ales, Newport,
Ore.

Prizes for the winners included gifts donated by Hopunion CBS
and White Labs.  Thanks to Hopunion's Ralph Olson, Ralph
Woodall and Tom Moench for helping serve the beer to the
judges.  And to Brewing News' Bill Metzger for advice and
spiritual guidance.  After the judging and awards ceremony, the
crowd of judges, stewards, brewers and hoppy beer fans
converged on the leftover bottles of Alpha King Challenge
entries, to taste and compare the different beers, and enjoy the
camaraderie of happy hoppy beer lovers. Brewers who wish to
participate in next year's Alpha King Challenge should contact
Hopunion CBS at 1-800-952-4853.

----------
David Edgar
Mountain West Brewery Supply, Inc. - representing:
  * Chrisdec Enterprises (Rastal glassware) * Hopunion
   * Loeffler Chemicals * 1-CUBE (lab equipment)
(303) 402-9158 (office); (303) 525-1492 (mobile)

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