Alpha Predator by Keuka Brewing Co – FLB Featured Beer

Finger Lakes Brew is extremely excited to have the Alpha Predator by the Keuka Brewing Co be the first featured beer of this new monthly series. If you have not tried this beer before, we strongly recommend that you stop by the Keuka Brewing Co and get involved. Not only is the beer great, but so are the people.

Why did you choose the name “Alpha Predator” for this beer?

I think it’s just a play on a “beastly” beer weighing in at 8.4% ABV (originally 9.6% but we backed it down) that devours lupulin Alpha acids at many steps in the brewing  process on its way to your glass.

What was the inspiration for this beer and when did you first brew it?

We started brewing this beer almost two years ago.  We were experimenting with what would really become known as the popular New England style IPAs of today.  Tons of late addition hops focusing more on the aroma and flavor of the hops opposed to the big bitter bombs of the west coast.  Although we weren’t going for a clouded up beer, we were still looking for some clarity in this finished product.

In your description of the Alpha Predator on your website you mention that it drinks like a session IPA but packs the punch of a double. Was this something that you set out to achieve when you began brewing this beer?

I think in terms of hop flavor profile yes we were but what we didn’t expect was how it fermented out and how incredibly smooth it was for its large ABV.

Are there any foods that you feel this particular beer compliments really well?

I’ve always enjoyed spicy foods with IPAs and this one is no exception. I’ve also found the flavor profiles in ceviche work really awesome with these new types of fruity IPAs that are coming out now. But just a personal opinion, everyone’s palate is different.

What mood should someone be in when they decide to drink Alpha Predator?

This beer will work for any mood if that mood involves a beer.

Personally this is one of my favorite double IPA’s in all of the Finger Lakes. Do you have any other customers who rave about it?

This beer continues to do really well for us, which I think is tough for IPAs to do on the market these days with the sheer number of hoppy beers out there.

I’ve noticed that each of your beers has a really cool label. How much does the taste of the beer influence the design compared to the ingredients.

I think each beer has an overall motif, and that goes from the original idea, the ingredients, the name and ultimately the graphics we decided to use for it. The alpha predator is a hidden force to be reckoned with and I think our graphic designer nailed it with the elusive octopus beast that we use for it.

Are there any plans to can/bottle the Alpha Predator so that we can drink it at home? Please say yes…

Nothing so far is planned for packaging alpha predator, we feel draught has the quickest turn around and for this beer the fresher the better. If we start to see an opportunity that we feel comfortable that this beer won’t sit on a shelf for months then packaging may be an option.

What would you say to someone who is about to try the Alpha Predator for the very first time? What should they expect?

It’s a solid east coast DIPA, restrained bitterness with tons of citrus and floral elements going on. Light in color, drinks super smooth but is a good size double at just over eight percent ABV.