Hot! Hot! Hot! Flying Dog Brewing “Takes The Heat”

We like breweries that are fearless. Breweries that explore risky options, that don’t play it safe or just stay near home. And we’re not sayin’ that all the beers in Flying Dog’s new Heat Series Hot Box were complete successes, but we did have a blast trying them all.

Craft beer at its best should delicious but we’ve long contended it also needs to be fun. And Frederick, Maryland-based Flying Dog Brewing gets that better than most.

From their Christmastime “craft beer and cookie” paring package to their gonzo marketing attitude and brilliant Ralph Steadman label art – this is a brewery committed to fun and adventurous brewing – and we love them for that.

And with the release of their latest Heat Series Hot Box Variety pack they’ve recklessly upped the ante again.

This year’s collection features four never-before offerings, all of them “peppered” out of their minds and as we’ve said, all of them are a good time.

Described as “brown rice over malt” Shishito Rice Ale is a 5.3% ABV smoky and spiced experimental that’s fueled on Sake yeast and Shishito peppers.

Sweet chocolate gives way to a pronounced spiciness that lingers in Flying Dog’s liberally peppered 6.3% ABV Chocolate Habanero Stout.

Sweet peppers meets fruity and sour in their “explosive” 4.7 ABV Cherry Bomb Gose which melds fresh cherries with cherry bomb peppers.

Flying Dog’s 7% Experimental Pepper IPA takes its name from the experimental hops (HBC-291 & HBC-431) and the unnamed experimental peppers they use.

Hot (or not) in your beer is always a personal decision, but no matter your take, this year’s Hot Box is an undeniably fun ride.