Flying Dog / BrewDog International Arms Race

Brewed by Flying Dog Brewery
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Frederick, Maryland USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker, Tumbler

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Amber golden colour wih a small white head that soon vanish. Nice aroma with a lot of pepper and some fruity notes. Medium pluss body and slightly sweet. What a great and complex flavour. Yummi. Spicy, pepper, caramel and a bit fruity. Holy ghostship mmmm. Smooth carbonation. Flying Dog won this competition by far!
[Bottle from Systembolaget in Trollhättan, Sweden]

Wow, why such low ratings? Too unusual perhaps? I liked it! Aroma of strawberry rhubarb pie, grass, a dash of lemon, and a touch of brett or other Belgian yeast perhaps. Superbly extreme brewing assignment - a zero IBU IPA - huh?? Which I guess means no hops? There must be an interesting blend of leaves and spices here. This would be a really nice summer brew. Pretty darn special to be truthful about it.

Bottle from Utobeer Stall in Borough Market. Pours hazy copper/amber with a transient head. Aroma is sort of pickled peach. That can’t be right, there’s no vinegar, but the spice sort of fits. Near full bodied. It’s a little peppery spicy, and it still reminds me of pickled peach. There’s certainly a hint of sour. After awhile it seems to go to pepper and fruit. There’s a continuing pepper/sour/fruit flavor. This is really different. Maybe it’s really, really good. I am torn. Certainly A for creativity and effort.

Served on draft at Beer Run. Pours a clear amber color with a large creamy white head. Good head retention. Aroma of strawberries, herbal and floral notes, and some sarsaparilla. The taste is berries, floral and earthy notes. Medium bodied. Nice beer.

Surprised at the low ratings on this one. I think its just the Brewdog fans being sore about losing to the Yanks from across the pond. Color is a nice amber, crystal clear, no head whatsoever. Aroma is of sweet malts, somewhat fruity and sweet. Flavor is bitter with an earthy quality. I pick up some herbs in there, especially rosemary. In balance with the malt. Flavor is sweet. This is an interesting beer and I don’t think I have ever tasted anything like it.

Bottle. Clear deep golden body, small white head. Aroma is nettles, black cardamom, pepper, caramel, hints of nougat, banana, nuts and nougat. Intriguing, yet mellow. Taste is caramel, cinnamon, cardamom, banana, grass, parsley, hints of pale malts and juniper. Faint traces of orange peel. Spicy, but somehow still mellow and nice in all its complexity. Smooth body and soft carbonation. A nice and original spice ale which I feel is completely underrated at present date.

Red cabbage. Apple juice. Juniper berry. This tastes like one of my favourite Dutch dishes: beef stew with red cabbage and apple. I liked it this way, but I can imagine that people not into this style really dislike it. But hey, there are hoppy beers for you.

0,355 l bottle, Wildeman, Amsterdam Poured amber with a lot of sediment, small creamy offwhite head. Babér and juniper, honey and cinnamon,orange peel. Interesting flavor with honey and malt base, spicies like orange peel, rosmare, juniper. Like a gintonic with herbs. Interesting, but not an IPA.

0,355 l bottle, deWildeman, Amsterdam
Poured amber with a lot of sediment, small creamy offwhite head. Babér and juniper, honey and cinnamon,orange peel. Interesting flavor with honey and malt base, spicies like orange peel, rosmare, juniper. Like a gintonic with herbs. Interesting, but not an IPA.

2nd September 2012
Hazy amber beer, tidy pale cream coloured head. Light dry palate, crispy. Floral notes and slightly bitter herbs. Pinch of black pepper. Minerals. Semi dry finish. Less sweet than the Brewdog one so I guess this wins?! A decent Gruit.