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The Fear
Flying Dog Brewery
- From:
- Flying Dog Brewery
- Maryland, United States
- Style:
- Pumpkin Beer
Ranked #163 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #22,962 - Avg:
- 3.71 | pDev: 13.21%
- Reviews:
- 187
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 26, 2024
- Added:
- Sep 25, 2011
- Wants:
- 53
- Gots:
- 136
Why is there only one time of the year - as goblins, ghouls and ghosts frolic on front lawns - when we embrace THE FEAR? At all other times, THE FEAR dominates us, controls us and prevents us from greatness. What is there to THE FEAR? Disagreement? Criticism? Humiliation? Whatever THE FEAR is that consumes you, embrace it. Only then will the true artist in you rise up.
Malts: Carabrown, Midnight Wheat, Chocolate, Vienna
Hops: Warrior, Willamette
Yeast: American Ale
IBU: 45
Special: 300 pounds of pumpkin added per 50 barrels
Malts: Carabrown, Midnight Wheat, Chocolate, Vienna
Hops: Warrior, Willamette
Yeast: American Ale
IBU: 45
Special: 300 pounds of pumpkin added per 50 barrels
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ThisWangsChung:
Reviewed by ThisWangsChung from Maryland
2.7/5 rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
2.7/5 rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
12 oz bottle into a pint glass.
A: Pours a dark brown color. Not quite stout-y looking, but darker than a lot of pumpkin ales I've encountered. The head is a creamy mocha shade, about one finger high. It's both soft-looking and well retaining, all while leaving a nice ring of lacing down the side of the glass.
S: The spice levels here are strong; lots of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove here. There's something vaguely medicinal here that I'm not sure of, though. Otherwise, touches of pumpkin, brown sugar, and caramel round out the decent aroma.
T: For about a second, it's opens up with a pleasant layer of spices. After that second, problems ensue: the flavors become quite minty to the point of being medicinal. Luckily, the aftertaste is pleasantly roasty. The combination of the minty middle and the alcohol presence sends this one spiraling down into mediocrity - and straight into the realm of crappiness.
M: The smooth body is a welcoming respite...until it dries up on the swallow, exposing some of the harsher flavors. Somewhat boozy, and also slightly overcarbonated.
O: This reminds me that while there are a few rock-solid beers from this brewery (like Raging Bitch), some of their other stuff is painfully mediocre. Like this - actually, no, it kind of sucks. Will not be buying again.
Sep 12, 2013A: Pours a dark brown color. Not quite stout-y looking, but darker than a lot of pumpkin ales I've encountered. The head is a creamy mocha shade, about one finger high. It's both soft-looking and well retaining, all while leaving a nice ring of lacing down the side of the glass.
S: The spice levels here are strong; lots of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove here. There's something vaguely medicinal here that I'm not sure of, though. Otherwise, touches of pumpkin, brown sugar, and caramel round out the decent aroma.
T: For about a second, it's opens up with a pleasant layer of spices. After that second, problems ensue: the flavors become quite minty to the point of being medicinal. Luckily, the aftertaste is pleasantly roasty. The combination of the minty middle and the alcohol presence sends this one spiraling down into mediocrity - and straight into the realm of crappiness.
M: The smooth body is a welcoming respite...until it dries up on the swallow, exposing some of the harsher flavors. Somewhat boozy, and also slightly overcarbonated.
O: This reminds me that while there are a few rock-solid beers from this brewery (like Raging Bitch), some of their other stuff is painfully mediocre. Like this - actually, no, it kind of sucks. Will not be buying again.
More User Ratings:
Rated by CanyonCitySteve from California
3.9/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
3.9/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Looks and smells fine. It's really dry by design, but it kinda tastes bitter. Not my favorite.
Jan 26, 2024Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
4.04/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Clear, dark brown body, average size tan head, good lacing.
Aroma: Spicy, herbal, resinous. Pumpkin is subtle.
Taste: Earthy. Dark bread, spices, herbal hops. Pumpkin more evident. Some pine in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation for a stout. Full bodied.
Overall: Tasty. Nice kick from the abv. Like the pumpkin staying in the background.
Dec 09, 2023Aroma: Spicy, herbal, resinous. Pumpkin is subtle.
Taste: Earthy. Dark bread, spices, herbal hops. Pumpkin more evident. Some pine in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation for a stout. Full bodied.
Overall: Tasty. Nice kick from the abv. Like the pumpkin staying in the background.
Reviewed by Peach63 from New York
3.96/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Copper with a 3/4" foamy, tan head, which lasts. Moderate lacing.
Aroma of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon.
Tastes of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin. A bit harsh from the spices.
Medium body, moderate carbonation. Spicy, dry finish.
A very good pumpkin ale.
Dec 04, 2022Aroma of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon.
Tastes of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin. A bit harsh from the spices.
Medium body, moderate carbonation. Spicy, dry finish.
A very good pumpkin ale.
Reviewed by Dr_Gonzo from Kentucky
3.89/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.89/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a tall clear pint glass. Appearance has a darkish amber color, with a sort of tan thick head that has decent retention and lacing.
Appearance: Spices like allspice and nutmeg first come to mind, along with the pumpkin of course first up. Also cinnamon, caramel, marshmallow, chocolate, brown sugar, cloves, and vanilla.
Can taste the bitter alcohol somewhat, and the pumpkin and brown sugar are obvious. Essentially like the aroma. Body is medium-light.
Oct 31, 2022Appearance: Spices like allspice and nutmeg first come to mind, along with the pumpkin of course first up. Also cinnamon, caramel, marshmallow, chocolate, brown sugar, cloves, and vanilla.
Can taste the bitter alcohol somewhat, and the pumpkin and brown sugar are obvious. Essentially like the aroma. Body is medium-light.
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York
2.96/5 rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.96/5 rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
This one pours a dark-ish amber color, with a small head, and lots of lacing.
This smells quite bitter and spicy, with nutmeg and cinnamon leading the way, with some light breadiness.
This is much more bitter than I’d want this style to be, with a bitter spicing and an almost licorice-like bitterness as well that feels kind of out of place. I’d want more breadiness and sweetness here.
This is light bodied, spicy and bitter, and not super drinkable.
This is a bit of a mess, and not really recommended on my end here.
Oct 24, 2022This smells quite bitter and spicy, with nutmeg and cinnamon leading the way, with some light breadiness.
This is much more bitter than I’d want this style to be, with a bitter spicing and an almost licorice-like bitterness as well that feels kind of out of place. I’d want more breadiness and sweetness here.
This is light bodied, spicy and bitter, and not super drinkable.
This is a bit of a mess, and not really recommended on my end here.
Reviewed by Nass from Florida
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The pour is hickory colored. The taste is pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, along with a mild brown sugar note. The 9% abv was hidden well. Overall, this was a solid pumpkin beer but it was a little too spice forward for my liking. Cheers! B
Oct 18, 2022Reviewed by DrOfGolf from Delaware
4/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured out into a clear pint glass. The color was a dark amberish with an off-white head. The smell to me was of pumpkin, nutmeg, hops, cinnamon, and some other spices l can't identify. The taste was one that I like and I'll try to find others like this while they're around.
Oct 17, 2022Reviewed by Christianriveraaa
4.28/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Jet black pour from a 12 oz bottle purchased from trader joes at a cool temp. Heavy lacing as the foam dissipates on this one. Looks like it will be a good one!
Smell: Getting mainly malts for this, caramel, pumpkin, slight cinnamon, nutmeg.
Taste: Enhanced version of the smell with a added brown sugar to it. Wow this is a good holiday beer!
Feel: Medium to light bodied beer.
Overall: Wasn't hoping for to much here, but I have to say if your a holiday person and see this beer you won't be let down.
Oct 15, 2022Smell: Getting mainly malts for this, caramel, pumpkin, slight cinnamon, nutmeg.
Taste: Enhanced version of the smell with a added brown sugar to it. Wow this is a good holiday beer!
Feel: Medium to light bodied beer.
Overall: Wasn't hoping for to much here, but I have to say if your a holiday person and see this beer you won't be let down.
Reviewed by BillAfromSoCal from California
4.05/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Wow… not your typical pumpkin beer. Deep, dark brown, not a lot of smell but taste screams roasted squash, brown sugar, clove and some pumpkin. Medium heavy mouth feel. This screams “ holidays” even if not overtly pumpkin in smell or taste. Too bad there is no lacing and just a short lived head
Oct 04, 2022Reviewed by MrOH from Maryland
4.34/5 rDev +17%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +17%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours dark brown with ruby highlights, short, dense khaki head, great retention, rings of lace
Smells like winter squash, toasted marshmallow, a hint of dark malt, some autumn spice
Tastes like it smells, the spice lingers
Medium-heavy bodied, appropriate carbonation
What a pumpkin beer should be
Sep 26, 2022Smells like winter squash, toasted marshmallow, a hint of dark malt, some autumn spice
Tastes like it smells, the spice lingers
Medium-heavy bodied, appropriate carbonation
What a pumpkin beer should be
Reviewed by DarkLordScott from Wisconsin
3.32/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.32/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours a deep bronze color, with minimal head and light carbonation. Aroma is distinctly pumpkin and spices. Taste is bitter pumpkin, cardamom and nutmeg. There is little to convey the ABV of 9%. A dark malty character follows this profile.
Sep 25, 2022
The Fear from Flying Dog Brewery
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
693 ratings
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