F.X. Matt to Acquire Flying Dog

What does this mean for the Original Flying Dog in Colorado? (sorry, haven't chanced the paywall* -- yeah, kicked out)

Or is it even still around?

 

They've been gone from here for a long time. They left for Maryland in 2006 and everything tied to them here disappeared soon after. They even left our market entirely for a while, but popped back up a few years ago.

 

That rather sucks since CO is where it all began.

 

My history is a little shaky, but Flying Dog started up in Aspen. They moved into the the former space of Tabernash Brewing when they merged with Left Hand up in Longmont. That was Eric Warner's place. I think that was around 2000. When Flying Dog left, I think that space just sat for a few years, but River North Brewing moved into it 2012. They ended up demolishing that building and RN ended up a few blocks away after having to move twice in 5 years. The space either apartments or condos now.

 

I have fond memories of Flying Dog since their Old Scratch was one of my early-ish experiences with craft brewing, at least to the extent that I liked it enough to keep buying it. Even owned an Old Scratch tee shirt. Loved those Steadman labels.

 

Here's a local radio station's text story:
https://wtop.com/business-finance/2...is-being-acquired-and-flying-out-of-maryland/

Recall, too, that Brooklyn Brewery bought 20% of Matt a few years back, and Kirin owns the infamous 24.5% of Brooklyn.

This might make a good junior high* math question:
"If (above stats) then what percentage of Flying Dog does Kirin own? (Show your work.)"
(*Banned in Florida schools, tho' - alcohol-related and other stuff.)

 

I still like Flying Dog and I think they make good beers. They have a pretty good presence here and still make most of the beers that I have liked historically. I do miss the oyster stout Pearl Necklace though. Hopefully with the sale they don't change too much.

 

And Brewbound, normally behind a paywall, has their article on the purchase online for free:
https://www.brewbound.com/news/fx-m...g-creating-top-10-ba-defined-craft-brewery-2/

 

Maybe they will change Flying Dog's wack-ass label art as part of the deal

 

Don't be slammin' my man Ralph -- Flying Dog wouldn't be Flying Dog without his labels.

 

They’ve gotten pretty gimmicky and I’ve had some absolute misses from some of the goofier stuff. But I can’t say they aren’t keeping things interesting.

 

Yeah I agree. For example that cookies and cream beer was awful. Dead Rise is another one that comes to mind. I'm surprised they still make it and that people apparently enjoy it.

 

It just seems to be another 'example' of consolidation in today's craft beer market.

Hopefully this will be a smart business strategy for F.X. Matt and Flying Dog.

Cheers!

 

I worked beverage retail ca. 1999-2005 and initially held a similar view while stocking and/or recommending the Flying Dog line.

Even considering the Hunter S. Thompson connection, the labels were outlandish, and branding and naming equally unappealing to most day-to-day beer department regulars.

It probably took me a year to get over my apprehension, and I learned that the ‘proof was in the pudding’, as the saying goes, and the beer inside the bottle held up rather well per stylistic intent.

After that I was happy enough to recommend them to any of curious shoppers who hadn’t yet tried them.

Come to think of it, they’ve been scarce in our local market (and maybe absent entirely) for quite some time. Maybe this new arrangement will allow them to come back?

 

Slowly raises hand…it’s a novelty beer, but dead rise is well done for what it is imo. Doggie Style was my first pale ale love. Still enjoy it when I can find it fresh. And Gonzo and the barrel aged version are fantastic.

 

Haven't had anything from Flying Dog in years but they were one of my gateway breweries when I lived in NYC and would stop in my local bodega on the way home to see what was new.

 

Isn't F. X. Matt primarily a contract brewer? Do they own other brands?

 

F.X. Matt does indeed brew their own beers. They have been brewing Utica Club, an AAL beer, for a very long time. They market their craft beers under the Saranac brand.

Cheers!

 

With the sale and move, perhaps distro will widen. I’d love to get those stovepipes of Raging Bitch here in So Flo.,.
And Steadman’s art is among the best and most expressive in the biz., hope he stays on.,,