Flying Dog Tire Bite

[steveh]

In the interest of keeping the summer alive while working some freelance on a gorgeous day, I'm having lunch with a Tire Bite Kölsch-style beer from Flying Dog on a break from work. I've sampled this brew before, but never reviewed it.

12 oz bottle, 5.1% abv according to the FD site.

Pours a bright golden color with a thin, but tight, white head that dissipates quickly.

Biscuit malts and light grassy hops in nose with a hint of DMS.

Some initial sourness in flavor (this sixer might be beyond prime) but followed quickly by a toasty, bready malt flavor. Noble hop bitterness in finish. Malts linger in aftertaste.

Light body with a soft, yet crisp, mouth-feel.

As can be witnessed at the BeerAdvocate reviews on this brew, it can be easily misunderstood by anyone not used to mellow, sublime beers. While nowhere near a hopped up IPA or roasty Porter in character, this beer is no swill-type slouch either. It's a refreshing drinker in the mold of its style namesake - flavorful and well balanced, maybe leaning slightly to the hopped side.

S.

http://www.flyingdogales.com/default.asp

[P-Train]

I had some Flying Dog back around 1997 or 1998 and really enjoyed it. It was one of my first 'specialty' beers.

Thanks for reminding me, I'll have to look for it again.

[BluesHarp]

I've had many FD beers over the years and found them all pretty non-descript; but...I had a few at a beer fest this summer and came away with a new opinion. I even bought a couple of sixpacks and I really believe they have greatly improved their brewing over the past few years.
I really enjoyed the Road Dog Scottish Porter, and have heard good things about the Gonzo. I may have to re-visit a few others.

[ontap78]

I bought a 4 pack of the Gonzo about a month ago. I really enjoyed the one I drank. Thought it was great. I cellared the remaining 3 bottles for future sipping. It actually has a vintage year on it. They also released it in a 750ml bottle for $99 and a chance of getting a Wonka style "golden ticket" for a trip to the brewery and the unveiling of the Hunter S. Thompson Fist in the Air Monument. Or something like that. I recommend the Gonzo.

[fretlessman71]

The Gonzo was pretty green when I tried it - I've got a few bottles awaiting tasting at a colder point in time. :)

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I've had many FD beers over the years and found them all pretty non-descript; but...I had a few at a beer fest this summer and came away with a new opinion.

Their Dogtoberfest of last year was pretty good and the namesake pale is a pretty good choice...when fresh. I need to sample more of their wares myself.

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I've had many FD beers over the years and found them all pretty non-descript; but...I had a few at a beer fest this summer and came away with a new opinion.

I've had similar experiences except I have not had any recently. I'm glad they seemed to have improved their beer.

[hops99]

I bought a 4 pack of the Gonzo about a month ago.

Here in a college town, I'm selling a boatload of the Gonzo - primarily to professors, grad students and the like who are/were big Hunter Thompson fans. I tried some myself about a month ago and thought it was very tasty.

But, I've steered away from Flying Dog brews in the past primarily because I thought they were too gimmicky (and my kids would have nightmares if they ever saw the "In-Heat Wheat" label). Yeah, it wouldn't be a bad idea to revisit some of their core brews again myself...

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by hops99
Here in a college town, I'm selling a boatload of the Gonzo ... Yep, makes sense - especially in THAT college town. I'm sure Boulder is drinking (or at least buying) their part as well. :)

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I've had many FD beers over the years and found them all pretty non-descript; but...I had a few at a beer fest this summer and came away with a new opinion. I even bought a couple of sixpacks and I really believe they have greatly improved their brewing over the past few years.
I really enjoyed the Road Dog Scottish Porter, and have heard good things about the Gonzo. I may have to re-visit a few others.

Seems like the trick with FD's beers is to get them while they are fresh. I believe that they are ones that date from the time of bottling, and in code. Something along the lines of 185A05 would mean that it was bottled on the 185 day of 2005. I can't recall what the brewer recommends as shelf life, but it seems that 5 minutes past their recommended time and the beer has gone bad.

On the other hand, I bought a sixer of their IPA (Snake Dog) last year that was almost a year old, and I contacted FD by email. Within a week, I received a new sixer and some other fun FD stuff. That's the way to do bidness!!!

[fretlessman71]

Yep - FD has a way of taking care of their own like that. :)

And you are indeed correct about the code.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by skahtboi
On the other hand, I bought a sixer of their IPA (Snake Dog) last year that was almost a year old, and I contacted FD by email. Within a week, I received a new sixer and some other fun FD stuff. That's the way to do bidness!!!

So - I need to find some old FG and call the brewery?

[fretlessman71]

I'm sure it wouldn't break their heart - just think of all the fans they'd have across the country, and all the people looking out for the reputation making sure that noone is selling old beer of theirs! Talk about a win-win situation! :)

[HogieWan]

I just figured I could have a taste of the old beer, get a replacement sixer of some really fresh beer, and some extra swag to boot.

[steveh]

Originally posted by HogieWan
I just figured I could have a taste of the old beer, get a replacement sixer of some really fresh beer, and some extra swag to boot.

Well, I'd say that works (as Fret says), but I still have 3 bottles of the old beer that doesn't get any better. And I told them not to send me any more beer, just wanted them to know some of their stuff was being mistreated.

Get any comments on that cap Fret? I donated the Dog Style t-shirt to my home-brew club raffle.

S.

[fretlessman71]

I enjoyed the cap! Fits good, and gets a few interesting comments. Good "beer geek" cap.

[chazwicke]

I've got lots of brewery hats. Being the compusive collector that i am. I hardly wear them though. I did wear the Victory Brewing cap to Shirlington because of the rain and so you might see it in the photo in that thread.

[HogieWan]

If you need to get rid of a few . . .

[NoSaabs]

i find it hilarious that the 750ml is going for $99! i just picked some up to put on my shelf for about $17.

i love the gonzo! it's great beer! i bought a case for myself, and i guess i'm going to have to see how long i can make it last.

but about the tire bite, this is probably my favorite flying dog beer next to the doggie style. as another poster mentioned, both are even more superior when at their freshest, and especially the tire bite.

i'm suprised that i hadn't seen the wild dog 10th anniversary double pale mentioned here. that was truly an outstanding beer! i wish i had saved some ; ;

if i could complain about anything flying dog does these days...um...lets see...oh yeah! stop re-using your damn bar codes!! lol :p i guess they're doing ok if that's my only complaint

nosaabs

[fretlessman71]

Flying Dog is a very respectable brewery - just about everything they make is good, and their customer service is fantastic!

[AxlLives]

Originally posted by NoSaabs
i find it hilarious that the 750ml is going for $99!

Flying Dog bottled a few thousand 750mL of Gonzo that were signed and hand-numbered by Ralph Steadman... These were the versions that were sold for $99 and came in a nifty Scotch-style tin... I've seen some on ebay going for $125 and up... The unsigned version is what is readily available in your fine beer stores... A juicy rumor that has been floating about my area is that they are about to complete purchase of a local brewery and put it out of its misery (my fingers are crossed and my toes will be tappin')

[AxlLives]

Originally posted by NoSaabs

if i could complain about anything flying dog does these days...um...lets see...oh yeah! stop re-using your damn bar codes!! lol :p

nosaabs

Word... How about the Wild Dog Weizenbock with the insane amount of yeast at the bottom?!?!

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by AxlLives
Flying Dog bottled a few thousand 750mL of Gonzo that were signed and hand-numbered by Ralph Steadman... These were the versions that were sold for $99 and came in a nifty Scotch-style tin... I've seen some on ebay going for $125 and up... The unsigned version is what is readily available in your fine beer stores... A juicy rumor that has been floating about my area is that they are about to complete purchase of a local brewery and put it out of its misery (my fingers are crossed and my toes will be tappin')

And which local brewery would that be? Frederick?

[JoshMason]

Flying Dog is not really one of my favorite Breweries..... But a friend brought over some of the Gonzo Imperial Porter..... and Jesus!!!! if I would have tasted that earlier in summer.... I woulda brewed some sort of Imperial Porter to be sipping on in this cold weather.(id probably be Drunk)

[fretlessman71]

Right now the Gonzo is too green for my tastes - needs some aging. Gonna be REALLY GOOD, though, in a year. :)

[AxlLives]

Originally posted by chazwicke
And which local brewery would that be? Frederick?

Yes.