What’s up Flying Dog?

They make pretty average beer, like you said nothing really bad but nothing very notable either which is probably why thy aren't talked about often. Their packaged beers are available just about anywhere that sells beer in northern VA, they have plenty of shelf space here.

I recently purchased their Dogtoberfest Marzen, probably my least favorite Oktoberfest beer I had this year. Kind of how I feel about most of their beers, very forgettable.

 

Yep, they brew a wide variety of styles and most are $10 or less for a six pack.

 

Oh.

 

My last Flying Dog beer was their Dogtoberfest. A Marzen. I'm in a bordering state (although I have to go through Delaware to hit Maryland) and I've always liked them. The Dogtoberfest was decidedly "Meh", though. It wasn't actively bad, but it wasn't good either.

 

I have heard that Flying Dog has relatively good presence in Europe. It might be a case of them standing out on shelf more by you than they do over here. They only tend to get brought up with regard to controversial beer labels and leaving the Brewers Association.

 

Used to drink Flying Dog often when I lived in Virginia. Enjoyed a quite a few of their offerings. Snake Dog was always fresh and at $10 a sixer was usually a go to IPA along with Smuttynose’ Finest. Don’t have distribution down in Georgia but I think I will grab some next time I’m up for old time sake.

 

I was one of the few that enjoyed Garde Dog, haven’t seen that one in forever

 

I regularly came back from Tulsa Ok with Raging Bitch & Tropical Bitch when it was out and somewhat fresh. I love a good Belgian IPA, and those were somewhat hard to find around Houston a few years ago. I never ventured outside those 2 beers from them though. The pricing on Raging Bitch was a pretty good deal, and I thought it drank pretty good, not up there with the Belgians, but for the price point it was hard to beat.

 

I honestly don't enjoy just about anything I have been from them. It seems like while others where putting out good/great beer, they where brewing gimmicky stuff. Egg nog beer, Mexican IPA. Really? When I go to my local shop their stuff is not even on my radar. I do enjoy Gonzo but haven't had it for some time.

 

I recently moved from TX to Minnesota and have seen their staples up here. They pulled out of TX years ago due to poor sales and lack of brand support from their distributor. Lately I've been exploring the beers the Midwest has to offer, but it'll be bice to be able to stock up on some Maryland beer when my Ravens make the playoffs.

 

Local to Flying Dog. I think most of their classic styles are very solid and still hold up well in today's landscape (Pale Ale, Raging Bitch, Gonzo, Cujo, Woody Creek Wit. The Truth when fresh is a very solid DIPA). Horn Dog Barleywine is one of the most underrated English Barleywines on the market IMO. I've never been a big fan of Snake Dog IPA, but others like it.

I feel in last few years, they've "jumped the shark" in their business decisions by putting almost all their chips into the gimmicky beers (heat, teas, fruit & field stuff etc) in their new releases and not focusing on new/well crafted beers. They also have this new "heat" series that seems to be one of their primary focuses, and I really don't like hot peppers in all my beers styles. And the few I've had were quite hot on the scale as well and not subtle heat.

Their new Hidden Pickle gose was actually quite well made despite the gimmick factor. I could recommend that one.

Agree, they price their beers very well. Just due to too many beers out there, I rarely buy for home consumption, but frequently they have their beers on tap around Frederick, MD at restaurants being one of the locals.

 

Their Field Notes beers (collaboration with University of MD), have been very solid and super cheap as well. Not sure if they are just locally sold or get some distribution. I've seen 16oz 4packs around town for $8.99. That's an outstanding price.

 

They still sell alright around here. The Truth, Raging Bitch, Double Dog, all move pretty decently. I still enjoy their beers, personally, and find them to be a reliable choice.

 

I love fresh The Truth and it's priced well compared to other equivalent DIPAs

 

I like the Ralph Steadman label art more than the beers themselves. When craft beer started to blow up a bit and you could pick it up at grocery stores, a Flying Dog variety pack was one of the first things I bought. All because of the artwork.