(Yakima, WA) – Hopunion would like to congratulate Thai Me Up Brewery of Jackson Hole, Wyoming on winning Alpha King Challenge 2012.
Established in 2000 by Jeremy Tofte, Thai Me Up Restaurant and Brewery is Jackson’s first Thai restaurant and newest nano-brewery. As a first time Alpha King entrant, Thai Me Up took the competition by storm and captured the crown with 2×4, a self-proclaimed quadruple pale ale (Double IPA), beating out 128 entries from 98 breweries across the US.
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 has 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 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. Third place was awarded to Shawn McIlhenney of Alpine Beer Company in Alpine, California for Bad Boy Double IPA.
The Top 14 entries, featured in alphabetical order were:
Alpine Beer Company of Alpine, CA – Bad Boy, an Imperial IPA by Shawn McIlhenney
Barley Brown’s Brew Pub of Baker City, OR – Pallet Jack, a fresh hop IPA by Marks Lanham
Big Dog’s Brewing Company of Las Vegas, NV – War Dog Imperial IPA, an Imperial IPA by Dave Otto
Chama River Brewing Company of Albuquerque, NM – Hop-Slap!, an American IPA by Justin Hamilton
City Star Brewing of Berthoud, CO – Dead or Alive, an Imperial IPA by John Way
Fat Head’s Brewing Company of Middleburg Heights, OH – Head Hunter IPA, an American Style IPA by Matt Cole
Fat Head’s Brewing Company of Middleburg Heights, OH – Hop Juju, an Imperial IPA by Matt Cole
Kuhnhenn Brewing Company of Warren, MI – D.R.I.P.A Double Rice India Pale Ale, an American IPA by Eric Kuhnhenn
La Cumbre Brewing Company of Albuquerque, NM – Elevated IPA, an IPA by Jeffrey Erway
Lawson’s Finest Liquids of Warren, VT – Triple Play IPA, an American Double IPA by Shawn Lawson
Societe Brewing Company of San Diego, CA – Every Man’s, an Imperial IPA by Societe Brewers
Stone Brewing Company of Escondido, CA – Stone Enjoy By 11.09.12 IPA, an Imperial IPA by Mitch Steele
Thai Me Up Restaurant and Brewery of Jackson Hole, WY – 2 x 4, a Quadruple Pale Ale by Kirk McHale
The Brew Kettle Production Works of Strongsville, OH – White Rajah, an IPA by Jack Kephart
The 14th annual Alpha King Challenge was held at Rock Bottom – Denver Downtown on October 12th. The competition featured 129 entries and record attendance of nearly 400 attendees – the most epic “Battle of the Brews” yet.
Special thanks go to Rock Bottom – Denver Downtown for hosting the event as well as White Labs, Inc. and Rastal Glassware of Germany for donating prizes to the top 3 winners.
Named in honor of Three Floyd’s Alpha King Pale Ale, and sponsored by Hopunion LLC, Brewing News Publications and Three Floyd’s Brewing Company, the Alpha King Challenge is an annual competition held during the Great American Beer Festival 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.
