Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale - Flying Dog Brewery

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.93/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Rich orange-amber with the barest hint of red. The medium-sized head is ecru in color and is acceptably dense. There's a fair-to-middlin' amount of lace; nothing special in that department. Classic Cascade hop aroma, a little more subdued than I'd like, but not bad. Two parts grapefruit to one part bitter orange peel.

Enjoyable flavor. It's pretty hard to screw up a Cascade-hopped pale ale if it's brewed with enough ingredients, but some brewers still manage to do it. This is a pretty decent version. It's on the hoppy side, but doesn't even sniff the 'shit-load of hops' designation that Flying Dog claims on their web site.

No one with even an average hop tolerance need fear this beer; no amount of palate abuse will result from its consumption. The malt backbone is merely adequate for the style. If anyone needs yet another description of Cascade hop flavor: brightly bitter grapefruit zest and pine sap. I happen to love Cascade; your mileage may vary.

I haven't been all that impressed with Flying Dog in the past, but this beer and their Scottish Porter are worthy of occasional purchases.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2004 16:30:11 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Decent pour with a very light and very clear pale golden yellow. Nice head of white then rises up around this forming a two inch head that quickly and completely fades leaving behind a broken crown that had some decent lacing around the sides.

Aroma is quick again and clean. Light hops are totally balanced against a nice malty bill. Nice bread and grain notes, hints of lemon and pine and a clean refeshing taste. Light touch of corn like flavor in the finish before a quick dash of hops dries it out and gets in the last word.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 21:56:50 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.33/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On-tap at Newport Beach Brewing Co.

A: Pours a light, golden amber color with a finger of white head.

S: Starts off with plenty of hops. Grass and citrus are evident, especially an orange peel type aroma. A very green nose, perhaps some pine in there too. A touch of brown sugar and a fair amount of bread.

T: Big orange peel flavor on the front end and the grassy hop character carries over to the palate. A slight pine note which provides a decent amount of bitterness. Plenty of malt flavor to this one with bread, toffee, and a small bit of caramel.

M: Medium in body with a moderate to high carbonation.

O: The bitterness became a touch abrasive after awhile which detracted from my enjoyment.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 00:32:15 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a clear, medium brown body with a small white head.

Smell: Aroma of dry, toasty biscuits and citrus with just a hint of caramel.

Taste: Mild, unassuming biscuit malt flavor with a just a bit of caramel sweetness. Light citrus hops. Fairly mild bitterness accentuated by the carbonation.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: It's not exactly what I'd call a "classic". Then again, "okay" doesn't look as good on a bottle label.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2007 21:44:56 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clear medium amber color with a small head that I thought would disappear but decided to hang around for awhile, leaving some lacing

Smell: Surprisingly malty with a caramel tone to the nose with some hoppiness in the background

Taste: Starts out sweet and herbacious with a strong caramel flavor that lasts well through the finish; some grapefruit appears early and hangs around to the finish, providing a nice balancing effect

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and a little slick; modest carbonation

Drinkability: Certainly drinkable, and if I were seeking an amber, I might like this better; as an APA, it has its demerits

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2005 21:02:14 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

3.08/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Bier Academy in Canyon Country, CA.

Pours a slightly hazy light orange with a tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is pretty underwhelming with some malt and herbal hop aromas. Taste is also pretty average with a basic malt and herbal hop combo. There is a mild bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty average pale ale in my opinion and I am not very impressed by this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 16:47:46 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a medium red colored beer with a nice head with medium retention. Aroma is quite nice with floral hops. Taste is even nicer with a hops heavy taste leaving a quite important bitter finish. Could have profited of more spice and a bit less hops; I believe taste would have been more subtle and complex. I find this to be very similar to North Stock Red Seal Ale. I’m still looking forward to trying more products from the Flying Dog Brewery.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2004 14:41:08 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of the classic APA's. Looks golden to orange and pours a loose knit head. High carbonation and descent head retention. Smells nicely blended of hops and malt. Slight spicyness in the nose. Tastes well balanced with the flavoring hops and sweet malts. Caramelly and crisp. Bittering hops increase through the body. Finishes bitter and tart without drying. A good thirst quencher. Bold enough to stand in any season.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2005 20:21:38 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Can find these pretty easily here in Greensboro,I think pretty muan average American pale ale.Kind of a darker orange color medium head that went fast,smelled pretty zesty maybe like a northwestern style pale ale.Taste was fruity and hoppy I would have liked a little more balance.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2003 17:09:34 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear deep-amber body with orange highlights beneath a creamy cap of off-white that holds well but leaves little lace. The nose delivers an excellent blend of biscuity and caramelish malts and citrusy, piney and floral hops. The body is medium and it's lightly zesty on the tongue. The flavor bristles with piney and citrusy hops upfront; softens across the middle as more malt comes out; and finishes with biscuity and caramelish malt followed by a solid, lingering bitterness. A decent enough American pale ale that works well with food, but somehow seems to lack the finesse needed to lend it any greater drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2004 03:21:24 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Walter Payton shaker pint glass.

Finally getting around to reviewing this guy. It pours a clear bronze topped by a finger or so of dirty white foam. The nose comprises grapefruit, mandarin orange, light cantaloupe, and mild caramel. The taste holds notes of grapefruit peel, grass, orange rind, very light caramel, and a touch of musty wheat. The bitterness near the finish is a bit harsh, and the musty wheat that follows doesn't help matters much. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a pretty wet feel. Overall, an okay pale ale, but too strong on the obtrusive bitterness for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 23:21:52 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bright, frothy head, amber color. Aroma: full-on citrus, and precious little else. Smooth, easy-drinking, and, dammmit, if I can ever think of anything else to recommend this one by. It's fine, and forgetabble, and it's got that great Ralph Steadman art going for it...sigh...it's okay...I geuss...

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2003 01:14:46 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.95/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark golden/light amber color. The head comes strong and finishes with a pretty lace. The aroma is of hops and nothing else. The smell is floral and pleasant. The taste is not bad. There's a nice hoppy flavor and a bit of malty richness to it. The beer goes down smooth, but is far from light. There is a medium body here. It's a good drinking beer, but not a gusler. You need to take time to enjoy this one. One of their better brews.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2003 18:07:41 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer served in a shaker pint, beer is amber and clear with a thin head, some lacing, moderate carbonation.

Aroma is sweet, hop candy.

Beer is thin, grainy on the finish, a little dry, mild hop character. Not a great APA but decent, other than the aftertaste just an OK beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 05:46:14 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden orange with a white head. The aroma is mainly hops with some earthy and resiny hops. The flavor is earthy and resiny hops with low-medium bitterness. The overall flavor is somewhat dirty due to the hops. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 04:08:09 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - 12 oz bottle poured out an amber hue with a 1 finger head. Highly carbonated. It left lacing as I drank it down.

S - Hops!!! Wow, it really is an overpowering hop aroma. There is a fainy grassy smell to it, as well.

T - It is very hoppy (not as strong as it smelled). It also has a good malt flavor.

M - It is light bodied and very crisp.

D - It is drinkable, but the hop flavors may overpower anything that you try to eat with it.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2006 00:53:45 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear amber in color and has a thin off white head. A light amount of carbonation is visible from the rising bubbles.
S: There are light aromas of toasted malts in the nose along with a little bit of sweetness.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has some fruity flavors; there are some hints of toasted malts and sweetness.
M: It feels light-bodied and relatively smooth on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is rather refreshing and quite sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2010 04:30:48 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.85/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clear amber color, topped by a tan head. There is a hoppy slightly piney, slightly citrusy aroma. There is a hint of malt under the hoppy aromatics as well. Nicely bitter up front in the mouth. There is a light maltiness in the finish. The beer is a bit too cold at first, so I warm it up for a bit. The hop flavor is a mix of piney, & orange/ citrusy. Finishes with a good pale ale level of bitterness. There is an after taste here that I cannot quite pin down, it is part of the hop flavor. Perhaps a hint of menthol in the finish, along with a bit of grassy hop flavor. This is a good solid example of an American Pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2003 17:43:38 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 11/29/07 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light brown color, with a dense, medium-sized off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of citrus, caramelized malts and a strong burst of hops.

T: The taste is very well-balanced with flavors of citrus and caramel, a strong hops bitterness and a hearty malt character. There’s just the right amount of sweetness as well. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, slightly sticky finish.

D: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, I could certainly drink this beer for a very long time.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2007 15:25:25 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out with a nice looking copper color with a thin white head on top. The head leaves a touch of lacing on the glass. The smell of the beer was malty and hoppy, pretty well balanced I'd say. The taste of the beer had a good sweetness upfront that fades into a dry finish. The mouthfeel of this beer was pretty good, plenty of carbonation to it and a drinkable body as well. Overall this brew was nice, I can't really say too much about it in a bad way. It's a good drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 04:16:47 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured with a nice rocky white to amber head with good head retention

Body was amber to light orange in appearance.

Smell: Good hop nose with hints of pepper

Tasted spicy with hints of orange on the tounge a just little more to balance this would've been preferable.

The body could be a bit thicker, but a nice summer time drink. Liked the drinkablity.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2005 04:16:37 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

3.28/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours amber with a small white head with good retention, no lacing.

S: Malty for a pale ale, with a hint of herbal hops.

T: Caramel malt up front, real close to an amber ale. Hops give a flavour of grass, grapefuit, and light mint.

S: Medium-bodied, has a light alcohol bite to it, resiny.

D: A solid pale ale, middle of the road for the style. Not something to seek out, but drinkable in a pinch.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2008 08:04:53 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours an amber / orange color witha medium sized head that produces nice lacing. The aroma is good, as full floral and fruit tones are easily detected. The flavor is slightly unbalanced based on the aroma, since the malt is dominant here over the hops. A mellow honey flavor is also picked up by the tongue.

This pale ale has a mellow finish and little aftertaste. Definitely drinkable, but the flavor is somewhat dull compared to the aroma picked up by the nose. Overall a decent pale ale, but the hop level needs to be a bit higher.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2004 20:03:58 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a mirky reddish copper with a creamy, ivory head. Some lacing sticks to the glass.

The smell of caramelish sweetness is almost immediately overcome by leafy/herbal, citric bitterness.

The taste is of leafy and herbal. Citrus comes through, but with a bit of plastic. A bready notes, perhaps it's the yeast strain, pulls through a bit. Some caramelish malt is there, but I can't say it balances it out. I like hoppy beers, but something of this bitterness doesn't sit so well with me.

The body is odd - both thick and watery at the same time. Lingering bitterness sits in the mouth.

There is something that bothers me about this, yet, for all that it does have a decent drinkability. In the long run, though, it's pretty forgettable. And, with so many choices in this style, I can't say that this one has anything about it I would choose it over so many others.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2007 02:58:41 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a clear golden brown colour, with a few fingers of puffy, creamy white head, that leave minor lacing. It smells of citrus hops, and a little bit of caramel malt. The taste is pine and citrus hops, with a decent sweet malt body. The carbonation is a bit on the high side, the body could have some more heft, but it finishes with a nice flourish of malt and tangy hops. A decent American pale ale, worthy of a session.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2009 01:34:04 | More by biboergosum