Back when I lived in Frederick, Maryland, I made happy (hoppy?) acquaintance with the Flying Dog Brewery, founded in Aspen, Colorado, with its brewery positioned in Frederick in 1994. They brew on, creating a wide range of cool beers featuring great Bloom-County-esque label art (think Bill the Cat if he came back as a series of dogs). About the time I brought home my first puppy love, Fred the Vizsla, I also met the Raging Bitch IPA.
Since then, I’ve enjoyed my Bitches regularly, though the past year has seen a dry spell (owing mostly to a lack of being stateside). So imagine my happiness (hoppiness?) when, on this last trip to Virginia, my mom’s partner Harold stocked for me not only my beloved Bitch, but also two others from Flying Dog.
The Tropical Bitch for me features lots of pineapple on the nose, and more pineapple and guava on the palate, on a powerful yet not overbearing 8% abv structure. Contrast this to the Numero Uno Agave Cerveza, which I found light and refreshing at 4.9% abv, with a mild aloe fragrance and a smooth lime taste.
Of course, the Raging Bitch remains a classic Belgian-style IPA, at 8.3% abv, with honeysuckle flowers, and roasted squash and honey on the palate to balance the bitter. It’s still a reference point IPA for me. Have you seen my #ragingbitchface? Not to be missed.
Long Live the Bitch!
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- One of my reference IPAs since my time in Frederick, Maryland
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- A spring twist on the Bitch with fresh fruit
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- Una cerveza agave from Flying Dog with lots of lime