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The Truth
Flying Dog Brewery

Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Flying Dog Brewery
- Maryland, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
Ranked #1,539 - ABV:
- 8.7%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #7,100 - Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 8.82%
- Reviews:
- 192
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Saturday at 10:54 PM
- Added:
- Aug 03, 2013
- Wants:
- 58
- Gots:
- 291
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding

Notes:
If this isn’t the perfect IPA, it’s pretty damn close. Over the course of 3 years, The Truth was scientifically-engineered to be the holy grail for IPA lovers. Armed with a mountain of knowledge from our Single Hop Series, our brewers concocted a hop blend so aromatic, so complex, that you’ll almost forget you’re drinking an 8.7% Imperial. Its big pine notes and stone fruit underpinnings pair best with soft cheeses, shellfish, and late night poker games where you lose your children’s college savings.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington
3.58/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Clear orange-amber brew with plenty of foam in the big Duvel tulip. Inviting aroma of pineapple and resin. Rather sharp mouthfeel with a modest malty sweetness plus booze. Tastes of citrus peel and pine. Spicy and a dry grapefruit finish. Astringent aftertaste with the unrelenting bitterness. Still, there's a clean fruity heat that makes it sippable. I do not usually see Flying Dog beers on the West Coast anymore, having had them a lot during my Denver years. So it was interesting to try this one. From the 12 oz bottle purchased at a southern California beer store.
Jan 22, 2023Reviewed by brewerburgundy from West Virginia
4.14/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.14/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12oz bottle, small tulip, enjoy by 4/3/23.
Copper and clear with a pretty tall tan head.
Pine, peach, and a little dank. Ok more than a little dank with a hint of lemon.
Peach rings, dank, gummy sweetness, but all balanced. Medium to high bitterness and it’s delicious.
Chewy like a gummy bear to go with all those fruity and sweet flavors. Almost creamy at the same time with moderate carbonation.
I’m quite impressed and the dankness mixed with the gummy candy aspect is great.
Jan 03, 2023Copper and clear with a pretty tall tan head.
Pine, peach, and a little dank. Ok more than a little dank with a hint of lemon.
Peach rings, dank, gummy sweetness, but all balanced. Medium to high bitterness and it’s delicious.
Chewy like a gummy bear to go with all those fruity and sweet flavors. Almost creamy at the same time with moderate carbonation.
I’m quite impressed and the dankness mixed with the gummy candy aspect is great.
Reviewed by izraelc from New York
4.21/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a hazy orange. Thick foam. Pungent hop aroma. Big oily hop body. Thick and chewy. Good bitter finish. Really good earthy hop flavor. This is what an IPA should taste like.
Aug 06, 2022Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
4.43/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
(12 oz bottle, ...enjoy by: 07.27.22; purchased single off shelf at Shangy's yesterday... poured into a fat tulip)
L: brilliantly-clear, burnt amber-colored liquid... way too much voluminous foam on the pour, eventually calming down into a wispy tuft... collar and peninsular thumb cap keeps; some lacing, but not eye-popping
S: pineapple vodka, pine, lime, papaya, rosewater... after a few beats, some berry and sugary malts start to creep out... it later settles into some apricot and peppery pine tonic with a toasty macaroon undercurrent
T: elegant, pungent array of floral, spiced, and dried tropical fruity flavors; took me by surprise... the aftertaste takes a few moments to establish itself, but the early reports are cinnamon graham cracker and clove-n grapefruit; the spice hums while the palate floor is toasty and dry... its bitterness is somewhat herbal, but also pithy with a medicinal kick
F: wet velvet, plush and spiked... its pungent, static bitterness with a pointed, boozy kick just resets or re-centers your perception (time to eat!)... cut and honed and polished to near perfection; aside from some salacious resins prompting me to lay out and grind/bury my body into a fluffy comforter
O: so their 'tropical' version is even more tropical somehow, like nectar-infused?!?... this is seriously a masterwork of intense hopping, high abv, and attentive filtering... they've got their barrel-proof IPA game down (1964)
Jul 29, 2022L: brilliantly-clear, burnt amber-colored liquid... way too much voluminous foam on the pour, eventually calming down into a wispy tuft... collar and peninsular thumb cap keeps; some lacing, but not eye-popping
S: pineapple vodka, pine, lime, papaya, rosewater... after a few beats, some berry and sugary malts start to creep out... it later settles into some apricot and peppery pine tonic with a toasty macaroon undercurrent
T: elegant, pungent array of floral, spiced, and dried tropical fruity flavors; took me by surprise... the aftertaste takes a few moments to establish itself, but the early reports are cinnamon graham cracker and clove-n grapefruit; the spice hums while the palate floor is toasty and dry... its bitterness is somewhat herbal, but also pithy with a medicinal kick
F: wet velvet, plush and spiked... its pungent, static bitterness with a pointed, boozy kick just resets or re-centers your perception (time to eat!)... cut and honed and polished to near perfection; aside from some salacious resins prompting me to lay out and grind/bury my body into a fluffy comforter
O: so their 'tropical' version is even more tropical somehow, like nectar-infused?!?... this is seriously a masterwork of intense hopping, high abv, and attentive filtering... they've got their barrel-proof IPA game down (1964)
Reviewed by BucBasil from Rwanda
4.07/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.07/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Drank from the 19.2 oz can. Aroma is somewhat subtle with piney hops and then some grass, lemon, floral. Taste is nicely balanced with a relatively complex hop profile. Caramel malt holds up hoppiness of citrus peel, pine, earthiness, and a little bit of spice in there. Finishes slightly boozy. This was a good IPA for sure.
Jun 24, 2022Rated by nblake5199 from North Carolina
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The Truth Imperial IPA....stands up to its name! This is a solid IPA. Great head, good color, good lace.....Solid 4 out of 5!
May 28, 2022Reviewed by KT3418 from Colorado
3.94/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
After having several times this is relatively average still but on the great end of it, it's malty backbone is good and it finishes super clean. So yeah there's other good ones out there for sure but this hits the spot well
Mar 02, 2022Reviewed by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia
3.8/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.8/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L: Translucent orange/copper. Thin eggshell head with good retention.
S: Big aroma of juicy hops
T: Piney, booze
F: Medium bodied and bringing alcohol heat. Dry finish.
O: Great taste, but not a fan of the alcohol burn
Dec 24, 2021S: Big aroma of juicy hops
T: Piney, booze
F: Medium bodied and bringing alcohol heat. Dry finish.
O: Great taste, but not a fan of the alcohol burn
Reviewed by Andrew_NYC from New York
3.66/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.66/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Yellowy copper pour with a thick fluffy head.
Citrusy hops on the nose with a floral, piney background.
Bright flavor that has some light citrus notes. Dry start and dry finish. Plenty of bitterness and some nice floral notes. No alcohol flavor. I wouldn’t guess it was an 8%.
Light, zippy feel in the mouth.
It’s pretty good but maybe on the dry side for my tastes.
Dec 05, 2021Citrusy hops on the nose with a floral, piney background.
Bright flavor that has some light citrus notes. Dry start and dry finish. Plenty of bitterness and some nice floral notes. No alcohol flavor. I wouldn’t guess it was an 8%.
Light, zippy feel in the mouth.
It’s pretty good but maybe on the dry side for my tastes.
Reviewed by NiceTaps from New Jersey
3.53/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle in a tulip IPA glass.
Dense burnt orange color, 1f bright white cap that drops to a ring and leaves some soapy lacing.
Stone fruit and pine, sure, but candied and alcohol emissions rule the aromatics.
Caramel malt base. Chewy pine. Sweet fruit.
Medium bodied with some hop bite. Despite the brewery’s claim, there’s no denying the high abv.
Maybe I’m off the mark. I find the abv dominates the aromas, flavors, and feel. Meh.
Oct 11, 2021Dense burnt orange color, 1f bright white cap that drops to a ring and leaves some soapy lacing.
Stone fruit and pine, sure, but candied and alcohol emissions rule the aromatics.
Caramel malt base. Chewy pine. Sweet fruit.
Medium bodied with some hop bite. Despite the brewery’s claim, there’s no denying the high abv.
Maybe I’m off the mark. I find the abv dominates the aromas, flavors, and feel. Meh.
Reviewed by jonwiseman from Florida
3.95/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.95/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
This beer is impressive from beginning to end. Skunky in the best way. Strong finish. Smooth beginning. Smell is mellow but convincing. Does not taste as strong as it is. Excellent beer
Aug 17, 2021Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio
4.02/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tried a can of this beer at Prohibition Gastropub in downtown Powell, Ohio. It poured a slightly hazy orangish with white head that left some lace. The scent had subtle citrus notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with subtle bright citrus presence. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a solid beer.
Aug 01, 2021Reviewed by dannydetox from Ohio
4.15/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.15/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Brassy looking brew with a thin white head. Aroma is orange marmalade on toast, maybe a little bit of pineapple and hay. Quenching for a 8.7%, with present yet subdued bitterness. Malt is substantial without being too sweet. Big, pleasing mouth feel to this one.
Jul 14, 2021Reviewed by scotorum from Massachusetts
4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
FLYING DOG THE TRUTH IIPA 6/6/21
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into an English nonick pint.
a: Translucent orange with a half finger thick white head which receded slowly to thick surface foam and dense lacing.
s: Mild light fruit.
t: Mild tropical fit with a moderate hop bite on a mainly dry finish.
m: Medium, very good body and a lot of carbonation tingle.
o: A refreshing IIPA with its highish 8.7% ABV well covered.
Jun 07, 2021Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into an English nonick pint.
a: Translucent orange with a half finger thick white head which receded slowly to thick surface foam and dense lacing.
s: Mild light fruit.
t: Mild tropical fit with a moderate hop bite on a mainly dry finish.
m: Medium, very good body and a lot of carbonation tingle.
o: A refreshing IIPA with its highish 8.7% ABV well covered.
Reviewed by deleted_user_1237877
3.87/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look Light copper to orange, very, very slight cloudiness, about a half-inch head in a conical pint style glass. Good lacing on the glass
Smell: I get a light pine and grapefruit smell. Not as potent as other IPAs I’ve had in this category. The bouquet dissipated over the drink or maybe the 8.7% ABV hit me…
Taste: On first blush, I get a crisp pine/citrus on the front of the mouth, smoother and foam on the back of the pallet. First sip was good but not overwhelming to me like other highly rated IPAs in this category. No hard detectable alcohol, the other flavors mask it well. Has a good finish with some long lasting citrus on the back.
Feel: Very good for an Imperial IPA. Not thick or heavy but rather light and crisp. I drank it in the middle of winter and it would be better in the summer on a hot day. Had it with chili and nachos and it was a nice compliment, did not overpower the meal.
Overall: An excellent almost world-class Imperial IPA. In my mind, the only thing missing was a bit more smoothness. For me, Firestone Walker Double Jack is at the top of the heap in this category and The Truth makes a really good stab at knocking it off the top. I will buy more and pass them to friends.
Mar 18, 2021Smell: I get a light pine and grapefruit smell. Not as potent as other IPAs I’ve had in this category. The bouquet dissipated over the drink or maybe the 8.7% ABV hit me…
Taste: On first blush, I get a crisp pine/citrus on the front of the mouth, smoother and foam on the back of the pallet. First sip was good but not overwhelming to me like other highly rated IPAs in this category. No hard detectable alcohol, the other flavors mask it well. Has a good finish with some long lasting citrus on the back.
Feel: Very good for an Imperial IPA. Not thick or heavy but rather light and crisp. I drank it in the middle of winter and it would be better in the summer on a hot day. Had it with chili and nachos and it was a nice compliment, did not overpower the meal.
Overall: An excellent almost world-class Imperial IPA. In my mind, the only thing missing was a bit more smoothness. For me, Firestone Walker Double Jack is at the top of the heap in this category and The Truth makes a really good stab at knocking it off the top. I will buy more and pass them to friends.
The Truth from Flying Dog Brewery
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
906 ratings
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