May 19, 2013

Featured Beer: Review of Flying Dog – Double Dog IPA

Pour Yourself a Grog.

Today’s featured beer “Double Dog” is from East Coast brewery, Flying Dog. Located in Frederick, Maryland, Flying Dog Brewery started as Flying Dog Brewpub in Aspen, Colorado. Flying Dog was co-founded by astrophysicist George Stranahan and rancher Richard McIntyre.

Double Dog is a Double IPA (India Pale Ale), which is another way of saying, an IPA that will knock you on your ass. With 11.5% ABV (alcohol by volume), this IPA is not messing around. And after you get up off the ground you might notice your wallet missing because this dog ain’t cheap at $15.50 for a six-pack. According to Flying Dog, distribution is limited. It’s been available at my local Wegmans in Downingtown, PA over the past few weeks but I don’t remember seeing it before then.

Flying Dog - Double Dog - Double IPA - photo by David K. Sutton

This craft beer pours an amber brown with an off-white head that dissipates quickly. I usually describe many IPA’s as almost grapefruit-like in taste, but this IPA is a little different. There is a hint of grapefruit but the flavor is more complex than other IPA’s I’ve tried. I’ve been struggling to find words to describe it and I keep coming back to the word “tangy,” which is a wholly inadequate description. When it first hits your taste buds, there is an essence of tropical fruit. And while this craft beer is very hoppy, there is less bitterness than I’ve come to expect from a strong IPA, and that might be desirable to some.

After you take it all in, and savor the dry finish, a gentle burning warmth will develop. That is the 11.5% ABV making it’s presence known, and it’s welcome company. This is an extremely drinkable strong beer, much like Victory Brewing Company’s “Golden Monkey” (to be reviewed later). Carbonation is light and the mouthfeel is smooth.

Double Dog is a Double IPA that will bite you and love you just the same.

/ photo by David K. Sutton

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