Dogfish Head - "Double Dog" DIPA

Another short take - here's a 12.00% ABV double IPA from Frederick, MD-based Flying Dog Brewery. Flying Dog makes solid beer, several of which offerings I count as some of my favorites. Their "Dead Rise", a beer made with Old Bay, is a perfect hot day beer, and aside from their typical offerings ("Raging Bitch", "The Truth", etc.) they also do experimental releases, called Brewhouse Rarities. My absolute favorite from this series was their "Carolina Reaper" brown ale - stunningly spicy and awesome, so much so that I called the brewery to request they bring it back. Apparently others have done so, too, but the brewery has no plans to make it again. Bummer.

I was in the mood for something strong, and saw this on the shelf here at the Argyle Market in Mt. Pleasant. I was a little surprised, as I don't recall seeing such high ABV beers from Flying Dog in six-pack 12oz formats, so figured I'd give this a try.

Sheesh, OK, there's a lot of punch to this beer. Somewhat thick, with a full cap of what foam. Texture-wise, it's very full-bodied, and in terms of flavor is quite punchy with strong, heavy bitterness and massive grapefruit flavors, complimented by raw oak and wheaty, grainy hops. Long and lingering finish with more of that grapefruit and blood orange tossed in. In a good way, this reminds me of Great Divide's "Hercules" double IPA or DC Brau's "On The Wings of Armageddon." In the era of soft, hazy, sessionable IPAs, it's really nice to see a bulldozer of a beer. I've grown a bit tired of the New England style, and the pendulum is now shifting back to more of a West Coast-inspired beer. This was $14.99, so pretty decent for what it is. I'd get this again.