Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA

'More cunning than a snake in the bush...Snake Dog India Pale Ale is a Colorado-style IPA, power hopped with specialty hops from the Pacific Northwest. This is the brewery's hop monster, and the citrus fruit aroma will hypnotize the senses of the most hardcore of craft drinkers.'
-Flyingdogales.com

A recent gift from my father after his trip to Cinnci. Actually, his entire trunk was full of beer- six six packs! Thanks dad, this is going to be a busy blog month.

I have to say this is much better than the other ales I have tried from Flying Dog. This is a very 'sticky' IPA with a good amount of sweet malts that pair with the milder hops fairly well. Not one of those extreme IPAs but there is nothing wrong with that when the beer is as flavorful as this one is. I can see myself buying quite a few of these in the future.

I found myself going for my 'non blog' Snake Dog IPAs whenever I was heading to the fridge even with all the selection I had. I think that is a pretty strong endorsement right there.

Musical pairing: Comets on Fire- Blue Cathedral

Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale

'Meet the Alpha of the pack ... Flying Dog Classic Pale Ale is brilliant amber in color and dry hopped with buckets full of Cascades for an unrivaled hop flavor and aroma. This is a true representation of an American-style pale ale, using the finest ingredients. Flying Dog Classic Pale Ale is a multi-award winning product and is consistently ranked as one of the best pale ales in the U.S. This is what craft beer is all about.'

I haven't come across a Flying Dog product that has impressed me that much, Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale included. This is a decent beer with obvious quality of ingredients that somehow just doesn't deliver. An amber colored brew with a moderate amount of hops and a hint of malt make for a forgettable but decent beer. If you strain yourself you can taste some caramel floating around in there and maybe some citrus (lemon juice?) but its far from unique. Still I could see myself drinking Flying Dog again when I am looking for a good simple Pale Ale.

Also- The labels kind of bum me out since Hunter S. Thompson killed himself (or was silenced by aliens). Really nice looking gonzo artwork though. See you in Hell, Hunter.

This is the part where you recommend the awesome Flying Dog brews in the comments then I go out and buy them to blog about.