Elder Pine Villeinage Dry-hopped Table Saison

Elder Pine Villeinage Dry-Hopped Table Saison. 

4 % ABV. Brewed & canned by Elder Pine Brewing & Blending, Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

Highly clouded, bright golden-hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: Citrus & straw, some floral notes, bold lemon. Lovely stuff. 

In the mouth: Slight funk & moderate hops kick it off on the palate. Light bodied, easy drinking, with a rustic charm. Fairly juicy and fruity, with citrusy notes in the lead, stone fruit behind it, with a touch of banana. It rolls into a dry finish, with spelt and wheat malt aiding in the clean drinkability. 

Very nice, dry and tasty saison. A pity I only have the one, I could drink a few of these. 

Table-strength Saison brewed with an insane amount of Pilsen  spelt malt & raw wheat for the creamiest body a 4% abv beer can offer. Heavily dry-hopped w/ Pacific Jade from New Zealand at a staggering rate of 3lb/bbl for bright citrus notes that meld perfectly with the stone fruit, banana and bubblegum aromas & flavors derived from our house saison yeast. Bone dry, effervescent, and effortlessly drinkable. 

Flying Dog The Truth Imperial IPA

 Flying Dog The Truth Imperial IPA.

8.7 % ABV. 80 IBU. 

Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: Candied fruit, big citrus, high alcohol. 

In the mouth: Big blast of bitterness attacks the palate, huge citrus, grapefruit and orange, some tangerine and pineapple, too. Piney. Juicy. Big bitterness. Has what it takes, in spades. Delicious, and delirious. Medium-bodied, long-lasting finish, tasting great.

Once more, I'm taking notes on the final bottle, having enjoyed the previous five. I would pick this up again. Thoroughly delightful. 

Developed alongside over a dozen Single-Hop Imperial IPAs. The truth was three years in the making and has some of the most unique hop varieties available today.

The Truth's sharp hop bitterness begins with pine on the nose and evolves into bright citrus and subtle stone fruit flavors. Pair this beer with sharp cheddar cheese and light, spicy proteins.

Flying Dog Tropical Bitch Belgian IPA

Flying Dog Tropical Bitch Belgian IPA. Belgian-style India Pale Ale brewed with orange and pineapple. 8% Alc./Vol. 55 IBU. Flying Dog Brewing, Frederick, Maryland.

When first I tasted the beers of Flying Dog Brewing Company, then of Colorado, now of Maryland,many, many years ago,  I was more delighted by the Ralph Steadman art on the label, I must admit. There's quite a large segment of the beer-drinking public with a contrary opinion of his work. I don't care what they think, he's one of my all-time favorite cartoonists. And the beer isn't bad, either. It's another area in which we don't agree.

And now we have a fruity twist on one of my favorite Flying Dog beers, which was also one Steadman's most controversial labels. The head of the original bitch (hey, they're a dog-themed brewery. It's not out of place.) has been isolated and is floating amidst a display of flowers. Apparently, they've been making this for a few years, yet this is my first time with it. And I'm striving not to give the beer a gender, as the label copy likes to do. (It's a riff on "The Girl From Ipanema", and I always saw her as aloof, not as a bitch, but, whatever.)

Anyway, let's crack it open and see what we have.

Clear, golden/amber color, lasting layer of ivory foam on top.

In the nose: alcoholic/phenolic fruity & floral notes flit out of the glass before I get a closer sniff.  Citrus overload. I'm getting a little pineapple. Overall, very promising.

In the mouth: Hop explosion on the palate, the tastebuds take a gentle pounding. Slightly harsh, but pleasant, with tropical fruit notes and hop bitterness expanding.Light-ish body. Easy drinking, for a DIPA.  It hits hard like other double IPAs I like, but the Belgian yeast quality seems to be missing in this one. Did the orange and pineapple take over for the Belgian funk? I can taste the orange and very little of the pineapple, and ...Well, it's a good beer and I can drink it, but it's not shooting up the charts and taking over for any of my favorites. I'm going to keep Tropical Bitch on a lease.

The aroma begins with the familiar Belgian yeast notes found in Raging Bitch, paired with aggressive notes of bright pineapple and bubble gum. The flavor follows the aroma with a peppery, phenolic profile that becomes dominated by orange citrus flavors and subtle pineapple.

Flying Dog The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale

Flying Dog The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale, ale brewed with pumpkin and spices. 9.0% ABV. For optimal freshness, enjoy by 02/04/17. This one is entirely new to me, never heard of it, until the sample man brought me one.

Clear, medium-brown coloring, sizable fortress of foam up on top, beige-tinged, lace-leaver.

Aroma: Pumpkin, yeah, it's there. Plenty of pumpkin and spice packed in this one. Very nice.

In the mouth: Rich, malty, spicy from the start. Darker and, naturally, stronger than your average pumpkin beer, with louder spices and quieter pumpkin. Nicely spicy, this, not too hot, not too overpowering, with sufficient malt backbone. Dark malts are doing it here, and truly subsume the pumpkin flavor, which I can barely pick up. It's there, but it's only a part of the sum.

Altogether, pretty tasty stuff. I can enjoy this one. I would drink another. Ain't nothing wrong with it. Good imperial pumpkin, and you drink one once in a while.

Let's look at some gobbledygook, shall we? "Why is there only one time a year when you can embrace the FEAR? At all other times, the FEAR dominates us, controls us, and prevents us from greatness. Whatever THE FEAR is that consumes you, learn to embrace it. Only then, will the true artist in you rise up."

Okay. Cool. But do I need self-help platitudes with my beers? No.

Flying Dog Heat Series Ancho Lime Paradise Lager

Flying Dog Heat Series Ancho Lime Paradise Lager. 6% ABV.

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

Aroma offers up....not much. Null set. I'm getting the lime, but little else.

In the mouth: lime kicks it off, then the heat roars in....with each new sip, it increases a little, heat rising with the fruit. Lean and smooth underneath all flavoring. That's a manageable heat, I can dig it. Not too threatening. And getting tastier as we get going.

The gobbledygook: "Mild yet unpredictably significant heat. Add a squeeze of lime and grains of paradise and you've got yourself quite the wildcard. Playing with a little fire never hurt anyone, right?"

I wouldn't say never. I mean, come on. But the beer ain't bad. Go ahead and drink it.

Flying Dog Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout

Flying Dog Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout, Ale Brewed with Oysters. 5.5% ALC/VOL. Brewed with Rappahannock River Oysters. Proceeds benefit Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration. (Question: Can you restore oysters by placing them in a tank of boiling water?)

Here's a beer that sort of got away. I included it in last year's StoutFest, the first oyster stout I'd tapped at the Blue Nile. When I re-tapped it after the event, it emptied too quickly for me to take notes on a pint. Now, I have a handful of bottles through the "Shock and Awe" sample pack, which also included the lager previously reviewed, as well as Doggie-style pale ale, and Snake Dog IPA,  which are beers, and I can drink them. But enough of my yakkety-yak, let's have an oyster stout.

It's a black one, but I can't use my usual repertoire of adjectives. Not inky, nor stygian, not solid, nor impenetrable. Crimson highlights peek at random curves. Head is a thin, soon-slim, brownish thing.

Aroma: not much going on here. Small amounts of detectable roast. Minor traces of bitterness. Some caramel tones, mingling with minuscule espresso tinges. Something is happening, but it's quiet.

Taste: Loads the mouth humbly, takes it's seat and waits it's turn. Falls shyly upon the palate, and rests there. Medium mouthfeel, very medium, Some chocolate, some…some…I don't know. Perhaps I need to class or a seminar, an intensive workshop with oysters to determine where the flavor shows up when brewed in a stout. I will stop with the self-flagellation now.

As a vehicle for oyster delivery, I'm not sure how I feel about this one. So far, I'm really on the fence about the style. Maybe I need to try a few more, perhaps there's another one that tastes more "oyster-y". And what would that taste like?
As it is, it doesn't bring out what I want in a stout. Too light, too lean, not meaty enough.

Forgetting that, it's a fine enough drink, easy-drinkable, with just enough flavor to be likable. A little bit o' chocolate, drips of toffee. It's a good beer and you can drink it. (I won't return to it voluntarily, though.)

Flying Dog Underdog Atlantic Lager

Flying Dog Under Dog Atlantic Lager. 4.7% ALC./VOL.

It's clear, it's yellow and it sure it fizzy. There's a profusely dotted white head holding court on top.

Aroma: sweet, flowery, grainy. Perfume-y…honey-ish. Very pleasing.

Taste: Lands on the tongue and floods the mouth with wetness. Wetness and water. Very thin, very smooth, ultra drinkable. Here comes some grainy texture on the palate, a little bit of grit. Little bit of body, plenty of refreshment. Quite a bit of hop bitterness. Good stuff.

Hey, what do they say on the label? " Don't be an underdog in this crazy game called life. Now is no time to be a pawn. The kings and queens rule the board, so that's who you've gotta be. Keep your head up, stand tall, and carry on. We're pulling for you."

Well, thanks for telling me nothing about the beer. Much appreciated. I'll carry those lessons throughout my life.

Flying Dog Wildeman Farmhouse IPA

Flying Dog Wildeman Farmhouse IPA, ale brewed with spices. Brewed by Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland.

"His axe is stained with the blood of a thousand adversaries. We fall in behind him as he leads us into the darkness, He turns his gaze on us. "Tentanda via est!" The way must be tried."  Whatever that means. 7.5 % ABV.

Crisp, clear, golden appearance, under an enormous, brilliant white head. Looks fantastic.

Smells incredible, too. Aburst with vibrant hops. Brimming with citrus fruit, lemon and honey, with Belgian yeast lurking beneath.

Taste: Hop bite hits hard at the start, then flushed with fruity flavor, bitter meets sweet, then swept up with the funk. There's a party in my mouth and everyone's invited. An intriguing mix, a flavor unlike any I've had in a while. I've been skeptical of many of the "innovations" in the craft beer field lately, most of which seem to be little more than "let's make it hoppier". You know, the "white IPA", black IPA, etcetera. Farmhouse IPA? Don't care for the name, particularly, but I'm liking the hell out of the taste of it.

Medium body, excellent drinking, slide down good and carefree, while leaving traces of bitterness in the wake. You get the feeling of a saison overcome with hops, and, damn it all, but I like this one/ I like a lot.

Only bought one bottle, so I'm on the hunt for more, or more of it's like.

Stillwater Cellar Door Farmhouse Ale

"Cellar Door", …at least that's what I think it says…Stillwater Artisanal, American Farmhouse Ale. Wheat Ale brewed with white sage. 1 pint, 9.4 fluid ounces. 6.6% ABV. Brewed and bottled by Dog Brewing Company, Westminster, Maryland.

I've been looking at this one sitting in my DBF (dedicated beer fridge) for months now, and it's time to take it down.

Clear and golden, beautiful white head, looks inviting. Active carbonation, rising up from the bottom.

Gorgeous aromatics, lovely light spice, delicate and flowery, ooo, la la.

Tasting it: light bodied, smooth, zesty. Wheaty mouthfeel, flush with citric feel, and jazzed up with spice. Sweet and malty, with just a bit of bitter. In the saison style, with a spicy twist.

Let's just look at their words on this one. I'll have to cock my head sideways for this: "Starting with a base of GErman wheat and pale malts, this crisp slightly hazy foundation was then accented with a blend of Sterling & Citra hops that provide notes of herbal grass & tangerine citrus. To pull this all together and to complete the "cleansing" aspect of my vision, I gently finished the ale off with a touch of white sage, lending a mild earthy spice character to the blend."

What is the "cleansing aspect" of his vision? That's so many words. I guess I don't mind keeping my notes short and simple, once in a while. It's good and lovely and drinks like a dream.

Go, beer!

Flying Dog Imperial IPA-Single Hop Simcoe

Finally got around to that exclusive bottle in the Alpha Dog pack. A pity I was disappointed. Here are the notes, from earlier this morning:

"While the damn Dionysus was taking all the glory, Simcoe, Greek God of Beer and Relaxation, was out, diligently developing tools for man to brew,---fresh grain and hops, active yeast, and bountiful water. With it's golden glow and sharp hop bite, our Imperial Single Hop IPA is a tribute to this lesser-known God (and as temple-worthy as it's namesake). Alc./vol: 10%, IBU: 70.

Okay, let's try it out.

Clear, golden/peachy hue, slim, soon-gone head.

Bright, crisp, vibrant aroma, bursts with potent pine and serious citrus. Lemon, lime, grapefruit aplenty.

All those flavors jump on the palate, explode in the mouth. Big, powerful melange of hoppitude. There is some imbalance, as the alcohol rides a bit too high in this. 10% rings in too loudly, too soon.

I love Simcoes, and enjoy the flavor, but I can't go with the temptation to have another. Not ready for that headache. Will have to save those last 2 bottles for another day.

Flying Dog Snake Dog India Pale Ale

So, it goes. August was my worst month yet, the one where I failed to keep my promise to myself of one beer/review for each day of the month. Too much time was being devoted to the project of moving into my new apartment, out of the old, just didn't feel like taking to the notes every night. My new project for September: to cover that distance. Maybe in the ninth month of the year I'll 40, 50 or more beers. It's not unprecedented, it's been done before.
To help out with that, I stopped at my new local beer store, Chicago Lake Liquors, about 5 blocks away. A surprisingly good craft beer selection, better than the last time I was there. And, no, there was no more Surly Five (I bought my fourth bottle there last Wednesday.) Many sample packs there, and that help cover some ground. Grabbed a Flying Dog Alpha Collection, which gives us their hoppy ales primarily, including an Imperial IPA I've never had before. Looking forward to that, but first, let's look at Snake Dog IPA, and here's what they currently print on the labels, next to Ralph Steadman's twisted art.
"Tired of those annoying 3AM hang-up s form your crazy, stalking ex? Turns out the same qualities that make your EX so damn annoying make our Snake Dog IPA so attractive. Chock full of bitterness, bite and attitude, it slaps you in the face with flavor. Just like your psycho ex did at the bar last weekend." 7.1% , IBU: 60.

And here's what I said about it, circa Feb, 2003:
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"Beautiful orange color, and a nice, but swiftly receding head.
Aroma is terrifically fruity: apricot, peach, tangerine, citrus.
This is my first time drinking this in at least a year, and something tastes different, for I don't recall the aroma being quite so vivid.
The label used to read :"Snakes down your throat like a loyal friend", a quote attributed to Anna Steadman, the illustrator's wife?, but the slogan is missing now. It remains a true endorsement, however. Hoppy, but not wildly so . Wonderfully soft and delicious palate.
At times, I'm reminded of Anchor Liberty, but it's closer to Bass in smoothness and drinkability. Much less hoppy than many a MidWestern IPA. Ideal as a session beer."
------------------------------------------
Man, does that have the me of 2003 all over it!

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

Why not take this time to check out the non-barrel-aged Gonzo? Great idea! Here's what I thought of it back in July, 2005:
-------------------------------

Gonzo sits in the glass a solid black, a rueful raiment, pitch perfect for a porter, with a thick cake of cocoa-toned froth floating atop.

Bittersweet and meaty in the nose, chocolate and coffee, blended with cinnamon and cumin, gentle, though, more suggestive than forthright, pleasant, if not profound.

Slides gamely onto the palate, fully in force, playing all the parts of a porter. Full-bodied, darkly flavorful, silky and even sophisticated. A sleek alcoholic edge oozes through in the middle, feels more like a dark, syrupy liqeuer now.
And I like it!

A slow drinker brew, best kept for cold nights, or nightcaps...get cozy with this brew in a snifter, and pull out the good doctor's works and say good night to that batshit bastard genius, one of the last American rebels, through and through.


*this bottle was reviewed very warm, a bottle at room temperature drunk just after returning from the store, where it was stacked on the floor....on a hot, hot, hot July day...I'll try it again in different conditions, colder, perhaps...

Flying Dog Wild Dog Barrel-aged Gonzo Imperial Porter

A funny thing keeps happening. When I first ordered a keg of Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter for the Nile, I didn't notice a couple letters written in marker on the paper label around the center of the keg. "BA", it read. For...barrel-aged? I tapped to be sure, and wouldn't you know, that was whiskey in there! All of the kegs at the distributor were the same, although we paid a fairly small amount for what was supposed to be regular Gonzo Imperial Porter. Next thing you know, they're selling them at about $40 more a keg. And last week, I ordered more Gonzo bottles. Did you want the Barrel-aged, or regular, I was asked. Regular. The case arrives, we're invoiced for regular, and the bottles are all barrel-aged Wild Dog 12 ounces, which I didn't even know existed. Okay, I'll take it. And enjoy it. And so, here's my initial review, from a big ol' bomber, back in November, 2007: --------------------------------------------------------- Wild Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter Hmmm...this is a trip. Solid black, with a cherry-tan head...yeah, it's light brown, but only as it's a subdued red...most unusual, and most attractive. Beautiful. Poured into a snifter glass, a deep aroma wafts out, rich, lovely rustic whiskey notes...vast and gorgeous. There's the oak and the cavernous malt, ruby tinges, cherry notes, cabernet, and more...I'm loving this. Taste: mmmm, ....ahhh...whoooaaa...words, though, words I what we need, so... damn! This slays me. Genius. Thick, solid porter absolutely awash in ...this upliftingly wonderfulness...the label says it was aged in oak whiskey barrels, but I swear it tastes like it was blended with wine. One drawback is that it seems to lose some of the porter-y character, and the oak flavors mask all that...but, I sure do like it. Let's just say I'm tickled...yummy. Doesn't feel like 9.5%...really...not much... you know, what? I like it, I don't care what you think...this is damned good. Wicked good. Gonzo good. Yup.

Stillwater Autumnal

Stillwater Autumnal. Purchased in late spring, drinking now in early summer. "This deep amber hued ale takes it's inspiration from Germany, while stiull nodding to the Belgian farmhouse tradition. The base is comprised of German two-row, wheat, Cara-Munich, and roasted barley. Generously hopped with a blend of Perle, Spalt, and Hallertau Mittlefruh, and fermented with a rustic Belgian farmhouse ale yeast. These elements together provide a melange of earth and fruit aromas backed with hints of caramel with a dry clean finish."

Dusky brown appearance, half-opaque, gorgeous head, big and billowy, lace leaving, luscious.

Aroma: there's the Belgian funk, here's the hops, and underneath the caramel malt. A twisted mix. Some chocolate here, some raisins, a little creamy, bits of nuts.

Taste: Mmm. Chocolate malt remains a minor player, mixes with dark fruit and nuts. Primarily a malt driven flavor, with mild and mellow hop character. Richness and sweetness aplenty. But never too much, great balance, great consumability.

Good spice in it, great malt, minor hops, terrific flavor.

Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale

First took notes on this one from a bottle in March, 2007. Last night was not the first time I tapped it, just the latest. Here we have the 11.5 % abv, Double Dog Double Pale Ale, from Flying Dog, formerly of Denver, CO, now residing in Maryland.
Those notes...
Bright crimson, well-cloaked, with a big, ebullient, staying head of creamy foam. Very nice.

Nose effuses booze and fruit. Barley-winish. grape and cherry burned into brandy.
Cognac with orange drippings. red wine with a slice of lemon.

Juicy on the tongue, a blast of flavor, forceful, but delicious.

Deep stuff, full bodied. Fat malt, and plenty of hops, rich and rewarding.

Doesn't taste like 10.5%, but we're not done yet. (BeerAdvocate now says 11.5%)

Bracing bitterness on the palate is just fine with this hophead, and mixes well with the pronounced malt bill. Nice balance for such a huge brew.

Flying Dog Wild Dog Coffee Stout

Here's one I included in our StoutFest, October 30 & 31. I was surprised to find it available in kegs, as it seems to be only available that way, no bottles, yet, or in cask, as these were the only serving styles for the 9 other reviews posted on BeerAdvocate.com, when I entered my own notes, a few weeks ago. (No, the keg hasn't been on that long, it was removed for the second round of Belg-a-Rama, and has just gone back on, to finish it off.)
(I just discovered that bottles are on their way, soon.)

I was surprised, too, to see the lackluster ratings, but not so much when I consider the fickle tastes of the beer geek-erati. If it's not overloaded with the flavor in question, it generally gets knocked down a bit. If it's not in your face and intense, what good is it? I beg to differ.
One reviewer says "coffee is there, but not smacking me in the face like I thought." Why do flavors need to punish us? Can't they just be there and be enjoyed? Another calls the body "deathly thin", and I wonder what he was drinking, because that's not how I'd describe it.
Perhaps the problem is that these were all done from reviews at bars, restaurants, and festivals, where there are so many distractions, and so many variables in quality of presentation. At least I'm not alone, and there are higher ratings than mine.

So here it is, Flying Dog Wild Dog Coffee Stout. (Notice how it doesn't even appear on the website.) 8% alcohol by volume.

Dark and sooty, black as coffee grounds, with a big roasty tan head, that softly settles.

Definite coffee nose, but soft, quiet, and none too bitter. Keeping even pace with chocolate and roasted malt.

Enters the palate sweetly and seductively, lush chocolate malt, caramel and toffee, overtaken eventually by bittersweet espresso tones. Excellent blend, great balance. Definitely not for anyone demanding an excessive amount of coffee flavor, very subtly integrated. Plenty of coffee flavor, with a trickle of coffee riding along, up and back over and out the palate.

Medium to full body, excellent coffee stout, mighty tasty. Alcohol well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

Reviewed on: 12-09-2010 02:07:26