Remember Pete and his Wicked Ale? The Hoppin’ Frog brewery of Akron, Ohio sure does. They teamed up with none other than Pete Slosberg to brew up Hoppin’ Frog RE-RE-PETE 3X American Imperial Brown Ale, a special super strong version of American Brown Ale, the style which Pete’s Wicked Ale helped make famous.

On the label, Hoppin’ Frog says “Happy 34^th Anniversary”. Hard to believe, though,  that as I sip my can of RE-RE-PETE 3X American Imperial Brown Ale it was 35 years ago when Pete Slosberg founded Pete's Brewing Company. He launched their flagship Pete's Wicked Ale in 1986, about the same time the Samuel Adams brand was born. Pete's Wicked Ale was a staple in the late 80s and 90s for me, and I still recall my very first bottle in maybe 1988 or 1989, a 22-ounce bomber brought back from California by a friend.

I can still recall, too, a trip to Mystic, Connecticut in the early 90s where I scored fresh Pete's Wicked Lager for the first time. In 1998, Pete beat feet, and then his ale was incomplete-he sold the brand to Gambrinus of Texas who, as I recall, killed it in quality and by 2011 as a brand. Still, I have very fond memories of this beer.

Hoppin’ Frog says:

In the beginning, there was an innovative West Coast brewer by the name of Pete, who developed a wicked-good and ground breaking beer that became known as the defacto-standard American Brown Ale.  It boasted an abundance of specialty malts and Brewer's Gold hops to create a great taste previously which was unbeknownst to mankind.  Now, together with Pete we have created Re-Re-Pete 3X as a triple version to pay homage to the innovative energy of American brewers, and deliver a great historic beer to true beer lovers!

Hoppin’ Frog RE-RE-PETE 3X American Imperial Brown Ale has an alcohol content of 15.6% by volume (at least mine did, it looks like the 2021 might have 15.7%). I paid $5.24 for my 8.4 ounce can from Craftshack, and the brewery sells it for $16.99 a 4-pack. The can I received from Craftshack in April of 2021 was stamped as CANNED ON 05/07/20.  

Hoppin’ Frog RE-RE-PETE 3X American Imperial Brown Ale pours to a clear, well, brown color with a thick fluffy white head (in proportion to the lilliputian pour) with a lusciously intense soft cookie malt nose. Taking a sip, the beer is super loaded with chocolate chip cookie malts, toasted nuts, and an intense jet fuel alcohol burn in the finish. It’s balanced with hop bitterness, and while the alcohol seems to crowd out hop aroma, (though the age on my can may have diminished the hops, too), the beer is loaded with deep malt flavor.

Hoppin’ Frog RE-RE-PETE 3X American Imperial Brown Ale is like the genie in Aladdin: Phenomenal Cosmic Powers! Itty Bitty Living Space! You get a small amount of beer, but it packs a high delivery of wonderful malt goodness. Indeed, considering the depth of malt and alcohol burn, I gently sipped this and enjoyed it more than a quickly quaffed beer of full size.

Cheers Pete Slosberg, and thanks for the memories. And thanks Hoppin’ Frog for giving him (and me) the chance to make some more.

 And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, Canned

(D)=Draft

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