| Flying Dog Brewery 4607 Wedgewood Blvd. | Frederick, MD 21703 (301) 694-7899 flyingdogbrewery.com |
The Flying Dog Brewpub in Aspen, Colorado was founded in 1990 by George Stranahan, an astrophysicist with a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and the founder of the Aspen Center for Physics, along with his longtime friend and partner Richard McIntyre, a rancher at the Flying Dog Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado. The brewpub later became a full-fledged brewery in Denver, and then in 1994 the current Flying Dog Brewery facility in Frederick, Maryland opened.
Flying Dog Brewery is located in an industrial complex in Frederick, Maryland. The entrance to the tasting room is around the side of the building, but walk slowly from your car to the entrance to enjoy the signage and hop vines. There is also an outdoor seating area with picnic tables.
Flying Dog Brewery is a production facility. According to Maryland state law, that means you cannot just show up and enjoy some beer. In order to sample beers at the brewery, you must go on a tour. Tours of the brewery are $5 (which includes an awesome branded glass) and are offered on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays. Due to demand, tours are by reservation only… for now.
Beginning October 1, 2014, reservations will no longer be required for groups of less than 8 people. Tours will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. The taproom opens 30 minutes prior to the first tour. Larger groups can make a reservation 90 days in advance. You must be 21 or older, and closed-toe shoes are required.
The current year-round offerings on tap included:
- Easy IPA – 4.7% ABV Session IPA
- Truth – 8.7% ABV Imperial IPA
- Raging Bitch – 8.3% ABV Belgian IPA
- Snake Dog – 7.1% ABV IPA
- Pale Ale – 5.5% ABV
- Old Scratch – 5.5% ABV Amber Lager
- Hefeweizen – 4.7% ABV
- Pearl Necklace – 5.5% ABV Oyster Stout
- Gonzo – 9.2% ABV Imperial Porter
- Double Dog – 11.5% ABV Double IPA
The seasonal offering was Dogtoberfest, their 5.6% ABV Märzen. The limited releases included Pearl Necklace on Nitro, Bloodline (7% ABV Blood Orange Ale), Barrel Aged Gonzo, and The Fear (9% ABV Imperial Pumpkin).
The current Brewhouse Rarity was Agave Cerveza coming in at a sessionable 4.3% ABV. Hoppy American Wheat will be released on September 9, 2014.
The brewery recently announced the lineup for the 2015 Brewhouse Rarities. Brewmaster Matt Brophy and his team will brew Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout, Earl Grey Black Wheat, Sriracha Pale Ale, Maibock, Juniper White IPA, India Pale Lager, Spiced Pear Ale, and Smoked Belgian Stout. Each beer will be available on draft and in 6-packs. The first will be on tap and on shelves in the mid-Atlantic by January 1.
If you don’t make it in time for a tour, growlers can be purchased to go at the bar. The shop at Flying Dog Brewery offers cans and bottles to go, including mixed six packs or even single bottles. T-shirts, hats, and various swag (including the Dead Rise Old Bay Cookbook) are available for purchase.
Flying Dog Brewery is just a short drive from Historic Downtown Frederick, a beautiful place to explore, dine, shop, and drink. Consider a weekend away and visit Brewer’s Alley (Beer Busters Podcast article coming soon!) and Monocacy Brewing Company as well!
