PorchDrinking Interview: Flying Dog Brewery and Gonzofest

The concept of “local” is a vital part of the craft beer experience. Beer drinkers—both new and seasoned—often seek out brews that were made close to home with locally-sourced products. This makes the entire experience special, more personal. Thankfully, as a resident of DC, I can call Flying Dog Brewery my local brewery, and I was welcomed and encouraged to do so by Flying Dog CEO, Jim Caruso. Jim and his team were kind enough to invite PorchDrinking to attend their annual Gonozofest, a music fest-cum-beer fest-cum-Hunter S. Thompson-homage. We were also lucky enough to attend a behind the scenes tour led by Jim himself. Read More

Flying Dog Brewery – Raging Bitch Belgian Style IPA

ABV 8.3%,

60 IBU

The scene was Lebowskifest 2009 (Louisville, KY). My friend and I had just finished riding our bikes across the Commonwealth just in time to meet up with our fellow Dudeists at the annual meeting celebrating all things Lebowski. In the parking lot of the Executive Lanes, a young man smoking an electronic cigarette (a relatively new concept at the time) approached us, and offered us a beer form his portable cooler. He cracked open bottles of a Belgian Style IPA that reinvigorated by tongue, which was falling asleep after a few Miller High Lifes. He touted the beer as the best thing he had ever tasted, a bold statement both then and in hindsight.

Read More