Maryland Brewery # 2 – Flying Dog Brewery

flying dog logo

Flying Dog Brewery is our next stop in Maryland.  Easily recognized by a large distribution footprint as much as for their iconic Ralph Steadman artwork on their labels.

Since their beers are seen around the country (and this column is ostensibly to promote people traveling to these breweries), I have chosen from the “rarer” side of their beer ledger for my taster tray from this Frederick based brewery, starting with:

Lemongrass Rice Ale

“This beer was inspired by the unique spice blends in Thai cuisine and is as versatile in matching up with those flavors as a Thai menu is (often) overwhelming. You know what to drink, so the trick will be deciding on what to order.”

Dead Rise Old Bay Summer Ale

“Dead Rise was brewed to highlight the indelible, bold character of OLD BAY with citrus hop notes and a crisp, tart finish. Pair it with tables piled high with shrimp, corn, and Maryland Blue Crab.”

Kujo Imperial Coffee Stout

“With the perfect balance of roasty stout and chocolately coffee notes, Kujo’s bark is just as big as his bite. Flavor notes: Subtle earthiness with prominent coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and toffee flavors Pairs with: Anything nutty, chocolately, or toffee-flavored”

Woody Creek Belgian White

“Woody Creek is light and refreshing for a reason, so be careful not to overpower it with heavy foods. Flavor notes: Refreshing and light citrus notes with subtle wheat, coriander, and orange flavors Pairs with: Light cheeses; Asian foods with wasabi and ginger; light shellfish; fruity desserts”

 

Maryland Brewery # 1 – DuClaw Brewing Company

duclaw2

We start our Maryland tour at DuClaw Brewing Company located in Baltimore.  Home of the Orioles and Ravens if you are a sports fan.

With founder Dave Benfield and brewmaster Jim Wagner, this brewery has outgrown their original brewery and is now in much better digs.  All the better to sample my picks for my initial taster tray from DuClaw….

Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale, “first brewed in 2014, takes the traditional American Brown Ale and gives it a sensual new twist – Coconut! This medium-bodied, 5.8% abv brown ale is a feast for the senses from its dominant blend of warm, roasted malt, coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavors barely restrained by a gentle hop bite, to its tantalizingly satisfying finish. But if you submit to our Dirty Little Freak, be warned: there is no safe word.”

Colossus “is dark amber in color and full-bodied with a perceptively sweet flavor profile accented by notes of apple, and a surprisingly tame alcohol presence on the palate in light of its staggering 21.92% abv. This astounding alcohol content (the highest ever brewed in the state of Maryland and verified by the Siebel Institute) is achieved through fermentation alone; no alcohol is introduced at packaging nor it distilled. Multiple grains are used in conjunction with three different yeast strains to produce a beer that simply defies classification… and most laws of nature.”

Misery “is light amber in color with a thin, persistent, white head and enticing aroma of grains, fruits and candy. Like all Wheat Wines, Misery boasts a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a strong 11.2% abv, well hidden by an agonizingly delicious mix of malt and fruit flavors.”

Seems like a fun brewery from the artwork style is quite bold and in your face.  I like it even though I am not into heavy metal music.

Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale, first brewed in 2014, takes the traditional American Brown Ale and gives it a sensual new twist – Coconut! This medium-bodied, 5.8% abv brown ale is a feast for the senses from its dominant blend of warm, roasted malt, coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavors barely restrained by a gentle hop bite, to its tantalizingly satisfying finish. But if you submit to our Dirty Little Freak, be warned: there is no safe word. – See more at: http://www.duclaw.com/beer/dirty-little-freak/#sthash.BVH8avse.dpuf
Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale, first brewed in 2014, takes the traditional American Brown Ale and gives it a sensual new twist – Coconut! This medium-bodied, 5.8% abv brown ale is a feast for the senses from its dominant blend of warm, roasted malt, coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavors barely restrained by a gentle hop bite, to its tantalizingly satisfying finish. But if you submit to our Dirty Little Freak, be warned: there is no safe word. – See more at: http://www.duclaw.com/beer/dirty-little-freak/#sthash.BVH8avse.dpuf
Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale, first brewed in 2014, takes the traditional American Brown Ale and gives it a sensual new twist – Coconut! This medium-bodied, 5.8% abv brown ale is a feast for the senses from its dominant blend of warm, roasted malt, coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavors barely restrained by a gentle hop bite, to its tantalizingly satisfying finish. But if you submit to our Dirty Little Freak, be warned: there is no safe word. – See more at: http://www.duclaw.com/beer/dirty-little-freak/#sthash.BVH8avse.dpuf

Baltimore Brew

One of my stops in life was a stint in Baltimore. And one that I look back on with fondness though I probably didn’t appreciate it enough at the time. Now Baltimore is getting back into the craft brewery game after an absence of a long time.
Baltimore to get its first new brewery in over 30 years

Peabody Heights Brewery might be open as early as May, but breweries always tend to open a little later than scheduled. And, Union Craft Brewing has plans to open in that time window too. Oriole town will be doubly served.

Check out this Baltimore Sun article for more information on the Charm City beer boom.