Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale

"Good people drink good beer." - Hunter S. Thompson.

I've always had a bit of a strange relationship with Flying Dog. Before my beloved Total Wine moved into town, I saw them at BevMo often, and was always grabbed by their interesting packaging. But I never did want to take the chance on the $12 6-packs that BevMo was selling. Well luckily, Total Wine has them broken up and I grabbed this guy for the low low price of $2. I grabbed this as part of my "review package" on my last trip over.

Great looking bottle as usual from Flying Dog, the Ralph Steadman labels always jump out. Also jumping off this label is the monster ABV: 11.5%! This might be the strongest IPA/double IPA I've ever had.


It pours out a reddish brown color, looking surprisingly clear, and with a nice strong hop aroma to it.

I take my first sip, and....in a word, wow! This guy drinks so well that I'm surprised I haven't heard more about it...its got a great flavor to start, with a bit of bitterness that rides off into the sunset smoothly, before you even realize what hit you. The more you drink it the better it gets....and that's saying a lot, as finishing a big bomber of some of the bigger ales sometimes can be, well, damned near exhausting. This Double Dog - despite having the highest alcohol content of any IPA I've had - stays smooth. It has big, deep flavor that comes and goes smoothly and never assaults.

I'd put this beer on a lofty podium next to well balanced big beers like Pliny the Elder, and that's saying a lot. I've done a lot of reviews in the last few weeks, and I've hit some duds...but this guy is a gem.

I've got a new "regular buy" beer for my list, that's for sure! Well done, Flying Dog....I'll have to try more of your beers, and soon!

See ya next pint!


Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale  via FlyingDogAles.com