From left to right the Three Gonzos: Barrel Aged Gonzo, Dry Hopped Gonzo and the Gonzo Imperial Porter (Eric Axelson)

Flying Dog Brewery started as a brewpub in Aspen, Colorado. They eventually bought bought Wild Goose a few years back and moved everything to Frederick, MD. For those only familiar with Flying Dog’s “pack” beer (what you’ll find at the Giant), it turns out there’s a whole ‘nother level to what they’re brewing. During the unofficial beer week Flying Dog has events all around town, including stops tonight at Bourbon and RFD.

Head Brewer Bob Malone and VP of Brewing Operations Matt Brophy stopped by the Brickskeller to give samples of their Canis Major and Wild Dog lines of beer and to discuss how it’s all made. With nine samples ranging from a brutally smoky Dog Schwarz to a divine Belgian Style IPA, it is clear that Flying Dog has much more going if you dig a little deeper.

The night started off slow with their Wild Goose XPA (Extra Pale Ale). The XPA was inherited when they purchased Wild Goose. It wasn’t a bad beer, but pretty forgettable. From then on, every beer, love it or not, left a strong mark and sparked conversation.

The standout beer of the night was the world debut of the Wild Dog Belgian Style IPA. This ale had a nice cloudiness to it and smelled vaguely of cedar, pine and butterscotch. The smell alone was almost worth the price of admission. A curious blend, the mix of hops and sugar came off almost floral with a lightly bitter end. Malone said that the flavor comes from an aggressive yeast nicknamed “El Diablo” and Amarillo Hops. Being new, they only made a small batch of this brew – if you see it around during DC’s beer week, fight for a glass, it’s that good. On the way out, Malone was stopping everyone he could to ask what the favorite beer of the night was, and this IPA seemed to be a frequent pick.