Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA - Flying Dog Brewery

champ103

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: This has a really stunning clarity. Bright and vibrant orange/red color. A two finger rocky white head forms with excellent retention. Plenty of sticky lace. Looks awesome.
S: Big floral and grassy hops up front. Spicy yeast with some bread and biscuit. Very nice.
T: Follows the nose with a big floral and grassy hop flavor. A spicy yeast flavor that lingers on forever, which I really like. Some bread and biscuit as well. Tons of hops but really well balanced.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Clean, crisp, and smooth. Really easy to drink. I put back a tall pour, and could have easily gone back for more. The alcohol is really well hidden.

I don't see what makes this a Belgian IPA. It is American through and through. It is very enjoyable however. What ever it is called, this is an excellent beer that is well balanced and nuanced. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2010 04:14:17 | More by champ103

californiakulak

California

4.93/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had this beer on tap in Clovis California.

A. Pours a beautiful orangish, amber color. Thick, fluffy, slightly off white head with great retention and lacing.

S. The Belgian yeast scent is definately noticable. Hops are there as well, citrus and pine aroma.

T. Wonderful beer. A great balance between the unique flavor of Belgian yeast and a hoppy American IPA.

M. Medium bodied with nice bitter hop feel. The alcohol warming is a little more present than in most IPAs but it is quite pleasant.

D. This beer merges my two favorite styles and does a fabulous job at it. I could drink these all day long.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2010 15:38:33 | More by californiakulak

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Amber with an off-white, yellowish-green head.

In the nose is pine and bitter & sweet citrus.

Sweet citrus up front followed by piney hop bitterness - finnishing with grapefruit. It has a candied sweetness in the back and some sweet orange. This beer really wrecks your palate and your mouth loves every minute of it.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2010 00:42:27 | More by Chickenhawk9932

TheHopMonster

New York

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Flying Dog has really grabbed my attention with this release. Im not one for Belgians but this IPA is out of this world. I was blessed with this beer at the Blue Tusk in Syracuse New York if anyone knows that place.

The appearance was light in color exactly what I expected in an IPA. The foam head was something of beauty and the retention stayed on the glass throughout the entire consumption of this beer.

The smell was of a hop explosion. I had a very hard time picking out the specific hops because It seemed like they used a wide variety of aroma hops in this batch.

The taste was beyond hoppy. It was very dry and citrusy. I seriously didn't even want to swallow it because I was enjoying the taste so much. The name definitely comes for the taste of this beer. For fellow hop heads this is the beer for you.

Hops=happiness

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2010 13:57:23 | More by TheHopMonster

MA08

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a standard pint glass at Pout Judgement in Newport, RI.

The beer pours deep amber color with a white head. The aroma of Belgian yeast is prevelant, with some floral hop notes. Taste is bready malts combined with the Belgain yeast and grapefuity American hops. Has an overall dry finish with a little alcohol at the end. Overall, a good-balanced Americanized version of a Belgain classic that is very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2010 14:37:53 | More by MA08

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What a killer beer. After having this magical pint poured at the tusk, the first thing I did was stick my nose right in. I was rewarded with an incredible, pungent citrus-hop aroma. It caught me by suprise.

This beer was amber-copper in color with about a half inch head and tasty little bubbles tickling the tip of my nose...as well as my imagination.

Raging Bitch 20th anniversary was almost too good and I was not let down at all while drinking it. HopFest may be technically located in Madison county NY, but yesterday at approximately 12:39pm...it was in my glass. I will definitely pursue this beer in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2010 13:23:25 | More by ThePorterSorter

lovindahops

New York

3.83/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the tusk

A- a big time carbonated crystal clear straw yellow brew. A very generous head

S- a yeasty and hearty hopped

T- extreme dry and bitter elements clash with and a dried grapefruit theme. Very bitter on the exit as well

M- medium bodied and carbonated

D- not bad for a belgium ipa.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2010 03:21:40 | More by lovindahops

BaltimoreMike

Maryland

4.55/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another great beer from Flying Dog, maybe the best I've tasted from them. I'm a hop head, so I love the hoppy flavor of the beer, and the kick it delivers is great. Smooth, strong, great flavor, a slight bitter aftertaste which may turn off some, but for me I don't mind at all. I find myself picking up a six pack of this nearly every weekend. If you love hops and love a good kick with the great aroma and taste of hops, then this is your beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 04:10:27 | More by BaltimoreMike

plaid75

New York

4.47/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at The Belgian Room, NYC.

Poured a pale copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a full peppery hop and moderate esters.

The taste was extremely spicy due to the abundantly peppery hop and estery yeast. Earthy malts rounded out the experience.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a superior example of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2010 13:15:39 | More by plaid75

sonata2008

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this on tap at a local bar. It is billed as a Belgian IPA. The color is copper and clear and the head was average. Aromas included mild banana and a somewhat floral hoppiness. The taste was an unusual combination of strong banana/clove and up front bitterness. There was some maltiness noticeable underneath, but it was not a large component of the taste. The menu claimed an ABV of 8.3%, but I did not notice an alcohol flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 01:06:38 | More by sonata2008

MrHungryMonkey

Texas

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nose is fruity, malty, hoppy, and a little yeasty. Smells good.

Pours clear amber with nice head. Looks good.

Nicely hoppy, stiff hop oils, some leafy freshness, peppery phenols and spices - notably menthol, and perpaps some mustard greens. Mild malt noticable through hoppage. Moderate bitterness. Finishes hoppy dry. Tastes good. Feels good. Good drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 00:10:39 | More by MrHungryMonkey

whiskeysoda

California

4.95/5  rDev +25%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

From my experience with American-brewed Belgians (ESPECIALLY IPA's), many are hit and miss. THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is a punch square in the face.

A good one.

Yep. Right up there with Stone's Cali-Belgique, Flying Dog has found what I'd even go so far as to call a good candidate for a flagship.

POURS a slightly hazy, light copper with an excellent 2 fingers of super-fine head (especially from the tap, it is important to use a wide-mouth glass, as the foam tends to rise much more in narrower glasses; as the name implies, Belgian style tulips work best). Slow to recede and packs a rich, beautiful NOSE of caramel, resiny pine and a hint of lemon and apricot.

The TASTE is smooth and balanced, sweet malt intermingling with hints of the tell-tale clove/banana character imparted by the Belgian yeast that are actually allowed to shine as pine and orange rind from the hops impart very little bitterness; making an overall sweet Belgian beer while still remaning distinctly IPA.

Dangerously smooth and delicious for a +8%. I'd petition to make Flying Dog keep this year-round!

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2010 23:59:40 | More by whiskeysoda

jeffjeff1

California

4.47/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on my honeymoon at Cannery Row Brewery in Monterey.

Appearance- golden color, thin head

Smell- interesting aroma, citrus, spices

Taste- citrus, spices

Mouthfeel- medium bodied

Drinkability- This was really good. I really enjoyed it at the brewery and had such a good time. I would love to drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2010 17:27:12 | More by jeffjeff1

AJacob81

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at Tap House Grill in Westmont, IL.

A - Auburn-amber, a touch hazy, with a 1.5 finger bubbly white head that leaves delicate lacing as it recedes.

S - Citrus fruit, some piney hops up front, with a hint of Belgiany, clove and banana malt in back.

T - Very citrusy at first, then the honey malt asserts itself, but not in a sticky or cloying manner. More piney hops and a spicy, bready character follow and the finish is hoppy-sweet and very tasty.

M - Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the bubble keep flowing at the end just as well as at the beginning. Overall, a very silky feel on the palate.

D - Super easy to drink, due to the complex yet accessible flavor profile, and the consistent carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2010 20:41:34 | More by AJacob81

clegolfski

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

*I'm doing my best to be subjective about the reviews and not let my personal taste preferences impact ratings. This beer has a 3.5 in taste due to it being a bit out of balance.

A = Amber with a slight haze. Thick slightly tan head that maintains nicely and laces as a drink.

S = Oh man, delicious smell. Lemon citrus for sure that does overpower the Belgian character

T = Sharp citrus hop bite up front. Malt is pretty prominent along with the yeast but... the resin taste from the hops really overwhelms it. Way more of an IPA than Belgian in this reguard.

M = Awesome luxurious mouth-feel. This is where the beer shows off its Belgian character.

D = Pretty damn versatile in drink-ability. The bright citrus really makes it refreshing and drinkable. The mouth-feel and slight complexity makes it sippable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2010 14:37:27 | More by clegolfski

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap April 2010 @ ChurchKey, Washington DC
In the dim light the beer shows a brilliantly clear, red-copper hued body that is topped by a wispy pale colored head. The beer is quite hoppy smelling, which mixes well with fermentation derived spiciness and phenols. A herbal, somewhat hay-like and definitely tropical fruit character forms a backdrop to the up front aromatics. The spiciness contributes aromas of clove, pepper and ginger and as the beer warms the hops contribute more pine-like aromatics.

The flavor is quite spicy as it first hits my mouth, but there is also quite a bit of fruit character here as well. This is very herbal tasting with a substantial bitterness and lots of big pine like flavors. The American hops contribute expressive flavors of lychee, kumquat and tangelo just underneath the herbal notes. The finish has some peppery alcohol, ginger flavors and phenolic notes that lean more towards turpenes than the typical clove notes. The hops are actually heavy enough that they drown out the fermentation character (I have a feeling that the fermentation character changes the emphasis of the hops here though), and I definitely like this part of this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2010 03:42:26 | More by Gueuzedude

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a amberish-orange colour, with a nice white head. Smells like a Belgian tripel that is hopped up, as you'd expect with the style. The taste doesn't disappoint at all. Nice Belgian tripel yeasty, with the American hops. This beer is truly awesome, I wish I could get it in Ontario.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2010 04:16:42 | More by kwjd

djbreezy

Washington

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Saraveza in Portland, OR. Poured into a stemmed glass.

appearance - transparent yellow/orange, foamy head, good lacing

smell - floral and citrus hops dominate the nose, malts

taste - sweet and floral/citrus hops with accompanying malts, very flavorful and full, slightly spicy and fruity

mouthfeel - medium body, high carbonation that tingles the tongue

drinkability - great flavor, surprised me quite a bit, smooth and consistent

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2010 17:45:25 | More by djbreezy

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a cloudy amber color with a large amount of fluffy off-white head, very good retention.

The second I got a whiff of this I knew it was going to be awesome. Citrus was first then floral and piney, some spicey malts.

I was unprepared for how delicious this beer was, I felt my life was made better somehow after the first sip. First it was sweet and lemony, also some grapefruit and a bit piney. Then more floral and earthy. Ultimately finishing with a dry bitterness.

Medium bodied, smooth and creamy, also a bit chewy.

After a few sips I though I couldn't imagine a better beverage. This was packed with flavor, complex and very easy to drink. It was only my first Belgian IPA, I will certainly be on the lookout for more of the same.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2010 19:38:04 | More by BeerCon5

SShelly

California

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy yellow gold with light white head, dissapates quick.

Aroma is yeast and phenol with a light hop edge, really pleasant though not that powerful.

Flavor is a big burst of bitterness with clove and other phenols, big warming in the mouth and throat. Coats the mouth with a nice bitter hop presence.

Pretty darn tasty, though 8 oz.s is probably more than enough for me.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2010 07:06:24 | More by SShelly

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a medium amber orange color with a creamy white head across the top and a moderate amount of carbonation.

S - Belgian yeast, spices, pine aromatic hops, some caramel bisquit aroma.

T - This beer scores big in the flavor department. It's unique, very assertive, and unlike any Belgian style IPA I've ever had. Has a big amount of spiciness, piney hops, grapefruit bitterness, and bitter orange tang that dominates in the end. Underneath is a nice layer of caramel bisquit malt which stayed far enough subdued to allow the spice and hops to really shine.

M - Medium body, crisp, slight carbonated prickliness on the tongue. Pine and spice hoppiness lingers for a very long time and leaves a mild orange spiced coating in the mouth.

D - Very good.

Really enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2010 04:53:10 | More by jzeilinger

Pahn

New York

3.58/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Stag's Head in NYC, poured into a Delirium Tremens tulip. Reviewed from notes taken in early March, 2010.

Appearance: Half-inch frothy white head sticks around a long time and leaves a good ring of lacing (good lacing from the rest of the beer as well). Nice semi-translucent amber color.

Smell: A deep citrus hops aroma, along with lots of grape. Some Belgian yeast comes out as the beer warms, mixing well with the pungent hops. The grape note is not really up my alley.

Taste: Big grapefruit hops hit right off with a fruity, almost musty finish, and I'm almost convinced that I'm drinking a good Belgian IPA (I mean, I'm *almost* convinced that there's a reason I ordered a Belgian IPA instead of the other excellent American IPAs available here or the world class Belgians down the street at Cafe BXL). Sweetness gets a bit bigger, but the hops say strong and bitter, continuing to taste like grapefruit and apricot. The fruity yeastiness in the finish is a decent replacement for the malt backbone in an IPA.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, mildly dry finish, borders on juicy.

Drinkability: The ABV definitely makes itself known, at least to me. Also, it comes close to supplying me with my hops fix, but doesn't quite get there. The kind of beer I'd drink "for a change," or "on a whim."

---

I've had Raging Bitch on tap and from the bottle. It was definitely better fresh on tap; the hops go a long way to temper the sickening sweetness that made the bottled version a disappointment to me. However, all-told, both versions suffer from being too obviously a fusion, where the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts. If I felt like an IPA, I'd order a better one than this. So too if I wanted a Belgian ale. Nothing about Raging Bitch draws me back, though it's a decent beer when fresh.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2010 05:43:03 | More by Pahn

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: This was a clear, glowing dark golden color. It was served to me with a large, rocky head that faded to clumps of lace.

s: Fresh, vibrant hops that smell of citrus with a little pine as well. The hops are so dominant I had trouble discerning anything Belgian. I found a hint of pear and just a touch of earthiness, not much else.

t: I definitely tasted the IPA part, but I had trouble finding the Belgian part. I tasted light sweetness in the form of honey and pears. The finish was quite bitter, tasting of citrus rind.

m: Creamy feeling overall.

d: I really like this. Call it an IPA and I give it an "A". I just couldn't taste the Belgian qualities like I hoped I would. If I see this again, I'll certainly order another though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2010 10:44:14 | More by DIM

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pint glass at Al's of Hampden.

A: The Belgian IPA is is bright, a brilliant golden color, rather translucent. A finger of head, not nearly the amount of lace as the bottle provided, lingered for half of the glass.

S: The nose is IPA, if not double IPA, first and foremost with a citrus hoppiness that refuses to back down. Floral elements follow the citrus, a sweet finish to the hops. Lingering around are tripel aromas too, coriander and candi sugars, but not nearly in the same ballpark as the hops.

T: The hops reign supreme, taking a floral citrus flavor to the nth degree. The hops are wet and thick, scalding but awesome. The IPA side doesn't, can't, hid anywhere in the ale. That, unfortunately, also pushes the alcoholic heat up too. Lingering behind the hops are tripel flavors, not on par with the hops, that manage to influence and soften the hops. The whole package is quite good; shame on me for waiting this long to try it.

M: The mouthfeel is indulgent, wickedly hoppy from first sip to last. Citrus and flowers are in ample supply, coating the tastebuds with oily goodness. Tripel flavors keep the hops in check.

D: Fantastically good. But only if you like hops and Belgian yeast. And I do.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2010 18:13:45 | More by akorsak

SmasNadroj

Tennessee

4.88/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Every now and then a beer comes along that slaps you in the face and tells you "you know
nothing." Raging bitch is the latest of these beers for me.

Poured from a tap into a standard pint glass, this beer glows a welcoming deep golden-amber
color with a decent amount of dark white head remaining in the glass. The smell is, simply put,
incredible. - a rich, crisp, citrusy bouquet with hints of sweet tropical fruits (mango, maybe?)

Now, the taste... It hits your tongue with a nice, spicy hoppiness up front but then, instead of the
usual lingering bitterness that people find the most off putting aspect of ipas, it turns sweet..
Raging bitch has this pervasive ruby red grapefruit sweetness that most ipas don't have, with hints
of citrusy thyme and sweet apple. I was with friends who generally dislike bitter beers- ipas especially-
but they all enjoyed it.

Its not too light and not too heavy on the tongue, with an almost silky mouthfeel- a perfect beer to pique
someones interests in ipas and bridge the (long) gap between hoppy and sweet. I would normally not
recommend such a seemingly intimidating ipa to just everyone, but I think most people will enjoy it.
What else can I say?
Just go find one and see for yourself.

P.S. Sorry for the weird breaks, I did this on my blackberry and can't seem to fix it...

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2010 12:57:48 | More by SmasNadroj