What Is

The history of the Alpha King Challenge dates back to more than two decades ago, when hop and brewing industry veterans Ralph Olson and Bill Owens shared the idea of finding the hoppiest beer in America. Ralph Olson was the original owner and general manager of hop supplier Hopunion, which eventually evolved to form Yakima Chief Hops. Bill Owens was a brewer at Buffalo Bill’s Brewery and the publisher at American Brewer Magazine. He is also credited for creating the first craft IPA in 1987.