Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA - Flying Dog Brewery

GeckoPunk

Connecticut

3.7/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Decent looking beer. Golden-honey with a finger of slightly off-white head

S - The smell, just like the taste, changes SIGNIFICANTLY as the beer warms. If I posted the smell of this beer prior to warming it up, I would have said it has apricot and peach scents, but over time, the smell changes into a malty, alcohol with phenols that aren't as attractive as when the beer was first poured. I was much more impressed by the smell directly after the beer was opened from the bottle. As mentioned in previous posts, I can understand that there is a slight caramel smell/taste in there.

T - Whoa! Bitter hops totally threw me for a loop... After smelling the beer, I was completely taken off-guard when the bitterness hit my mouth like a ton of bricks. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bitter beers, but DAYUM! When I had this beer, it was directly after Westmalle's Trappist Tripel. I did not taste any resemblance of Belgian beer in it, until... I then proceeded to pour it directly from the bottle into a tulip glass and let the beer warm up. It's the yeast. I can spot it from a mile away. The sour funk rose from the ashes... I did not smell it initally when the beer was fresh out of the bottle, directly from the cooler from the store. When I first drank it, I was like AMERICAN IPA - ALL THE WAY! That changed instantly as the beer warmed up and poured into a snifting glass.

M - Mouthfeel does not have too little or too much carbonation, sticky as the beer warms. It has a little alcohol burn. Almost a syruppy mess. Sorry if that's a let-down. Mouthfeel dramatically diminished after the beer got warm. I apologize, I'm really trying to justify this beer, but it's not helping as this beer is like watching a train-wreck in slow motion. It's all good, until time runs out and shi+ hits the fan.

O - Overall, it's a weird combination. A good one, but not an exceptional beer. I love IPAs. I love Belgian beers. However, to me, this beer is very 1-dimensional. It's bitterness mixed with Belgian yeast. It feels like an American IPA, almost IIPA, using the term "Belgian IPA" as a marketing strategy to gain preference with the craft beer drinkers. I honestly don't know if I'd buy it again. That's not to say I don't like it though...

If I were to rate this beer right after the first sip, I would have given it a 4.0 out of 5. Sadly, It has been downgraded to a 3.7. I have never seen a beer "devolve" like this in the course of 30 minutes.

If you really want to enjoy this beer... DO NOT LET IT GET WARM!

Last thoughts: My mouth still has that lingering bitter, alcohol, chalky, IPA residue on it. Thank goodness I'm home for the night. If I were driving somewhere after drinking this beer, a cop would be able to smell this on my breath for hours after drinking it. I am ashamed to write this review as I genuinely liked this beer on my first sip...

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 01:23:13 | More by GeckoPunk

c0yk0i

4.45/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I really like this beer! I think it's very smooth yet hoppy. Not that this is significant, but the illustration on the packaging is pretty cool. I'm drinking it right now, in fact. My friends and I have been enjoying it this week. I definitely recommend this beer. It isn't too expensive.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 08:20:42 | More by c0yk0i

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

002A13, so best by January 2, 2013

A: Pours a copper color with 2 fingers of head that fades to a cap within a minute, but that sticks around for a while

S: Get a lot of Belgian character as well as IPA character. Yeasty and fruity with loads of pine and citrus hops

T: Follows the nose. Get a lot of grapefruit and pine from the hops, some spicy and fruity Belgian yeast, and a good amount of crackery malts. Everything is well balanced, and doesn't get too bitter. Very well integrated

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly drying, but not too bad

O: Huge props to FD for being able to make this so balanced. The malts, hops, yeast, and alcohol blend so extremely well and makes this a great example of the style. Obviously it leans more towards American versions, but it is relatively tame (or at least it seems like it with the way everything goes together). Worth picking up

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 02:56:19 | More by BEERMILER12

hackmann

Michigan

4.35/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was in a party store the other day and I was thinking about my wife and I ended up with this beer in my hand – coincidence?

Appearance: amber body with a nice one maybe two finger white head that leaves some lacing on the glass. On my second glass I poured an easy two finger head.

Aroma: nice hoppy nose, grapefruit skin, little caramel in the mix,

Flavors: oh I like this one from the first sip. Some good pine notes hit the palate with a little white grapefruit bitterness. Then, the caramel, lightly toasted grains, and fruit mix it up for one interesting IPA. The fruit reminds me of golden raisin and a touch of peach and maybe a hint of mango.

Mouthfeel: fine fizzy carbonation, smooth on the delivery and then the bitterness hits the mid and finish, firm and dry aftertaste – pine and earthy yeast,

To the Point: damn this is one nice ale. I will be keeping this Raging Bitch around too! This is worthy of a six pack purchase. If you don’t like it send me the other five.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 02:59:56 | More by hackmann

Fusion_Pirate

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Purchased from a locally-owned beer/spirits shop in town as part of a 'Build Your Own 6 Pack'.

A: 3/4 finger of bone-white head quickly dissipated. Strong lacing on the glass with excellent retention. The beer itself is a semi-opaque medium amber color.

S: Orange, apricot, peach and cantaloupe tones come through immediately, with a wheat-y finish (likely where the "Belgian style" comes in)! It's a fresh, uplifting hop scent. Very nice!

T: First, the resinous, piney hops strike your taste buds up front with notes of raisin and cantaloupe...then they step out of the way and you get a lovely, classic wheat-beer finish. I don't know if it's the best tasting beer I've ever had, but definitely one of the most INTERESTING!

M: A wet, slightly oily mouthfeel with medium carbonation. While I'm more a fan of a traditionally dry, crisp IPA feel, I definitely understand where they're coming from with this beer and why it feels the way it does on the tongue. Not bad at all!

O: IPAs (and DIPAs/IIPAs) are my favorite brews in the world. I can't say the same for wheat beers, whether they be Belgian style, or Weizens, or whatnot. However, Flying Dog's Ragin Bitch 'hybrid', is absolutely phenomenal. It kicks your ass and leaves you refreshed all at once. This would be the IDEAL beer to cool down with on a hot summer day! Magnifique.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 21:12:53 | More by Fusion_Pirate

orangedive

Maryland

4.7/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite beers. It is hoppy and bitter and the belgian yeast adds an incredible tang that converts the bitterness to a mild sweetness.

The color is a light burgundy, 70% opaque with half an inch creamy head that dissipates quickly. Nice lacing.

Smells like hops and caramel and spices. A bit of malt and some fruity notes--apples and a hint of blackberry maybe.

Tastes like dream. Tangy and peppery and hoppy. Delicious.

Mouthfeel is good....it's amazingly smooth given all the flavor and bitterness and alcohol.

Overall, a wonderfulIPA with belgian yeast.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 01:28:53 | More by orangedive

porcelli426

Colorado

2.8/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a pint glass.

A – Clear light amber with some red. Thin head but a very inviting caramel color

S – Strong Fruity, ester smell. Mostly banana, and some citrus with an overall sweetness

T – Tastes very similar to the way it smells. Strong fruit flavors up front accompanied by citrus. A sweet caramel, somewhat biscuit after taste. Strong bitter notes, clean finish. The balance between fruits and citrus is off. Heavy on the fruit.

M – Heavy body with light carbonation. Feels typical for an IPA

O – Overall a very nice Belgian style IPA. A little heavy on the fruit flavors and lacking on hops for my taste. Recommended more for the Belgian Ale drinker than IPA

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 01:16:08 | More by porcelli426

dfillius

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint.
A: Gentle pour yields 1/4 finger of white head with poor retention, leaving just a ring. Clear copper-orange liquid. Good lookin'. I'd like more head, or may be I'll pour harder next time since I see it's filtered now.
S: Slight clove, bubblegum, some volatile booze (negative). Some faint tropical fruit floats on the booze.
T: Jumbled at first with the hops settling out in dominance. Well bittered! Open is swet with a dash of Belgian clove ester and funkiness - very nice! Excellent perhaps even. One of the best BIPAs I've had. Pronounced Belgian character, but generally skews towards AIPA.
M: Terrifically bitter, west coast IPA territory. Slight breathy heat is almost a negative.
O: Great. I'd love another and will buy 6. Glad this one finally made it into MI!

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 02:20:19 | More by dfillius

Jparker37

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. No freshness date.

A - Tall off-white head sits above a perfect/brilliantly filtered golden beer. Left with little to no lacing.

S - I get a hint of some tropical hop aroma. There are some banana esters along with that powdery saison like yeast. Not super wet and dry hop smelling but a nice focus of the belgium aromas.

T - Has a glance of some nice mild sweetness at the start and halfway through the palate. There are some sharper points of bitterness to it. Some higher alcohols/phenols show character. A bit of alcohol warmth along with a dry finish. Has a bit of lasting bitterness.

M - Just on the lighter side of medium bodied. Has a moderate amount of carbonation. Bone dry finish is stylistically correct.

O - The yeast that shows up is all to similar to many saisons I've had. There is a nice bit of hop character in the aroma and plenty to go around in the taste. The body is light enough to be refreshing. Great interpretation. The first time I drank this beer I believed it to have some soapy aromas to it but maybe it was just one bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 02:44:54 | More by Jparker37

HarrySTruman

Michigan

3.43/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

I don't know what it is that turns me off about the smell, but I think it smells bad. When I first cracked open a bottle I thought I was getting into something I was going to regret.

Tastes hoppy. Tropical citrus flavors balanced by a bitter astringent flavor I can't put my finger on. Another reviewer called it an asprin flavor and I'm inclined to agree, although it isn't strong enough to ruin the flavor. Good balance.

Easy drinking, good amount of carbonation. Crisp.

Really not what I would expect from a Belgian IPA, but it's a good beer overall. Hard to score it too low because I really am enjoying it, but hard to score it too high because it isn't a great representation of the style. I'd buy it again. The higher ABV goes virtually unnoticed.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 05:52:08 | More by HarrySTruman

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Looks good. The nose is typical Belgian in character. The flavor is a bit too tangy, for the style. Certainly, there are some spicy hop tones on there, but there is a soapy sweet tone that is a bit too much. This is decent, but it's not quite there really. Especially with so many others of this style available. Nice beer, but not quite the Belgian IPA I'd hope for.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 21:13:34 | More by RblWthACoz

kylehay2004

Florida

3.58/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: single finger off white head with poor retention on a amber gold body. nice lacing.

S: floral, orange citrus, black pepper and lots of herbal notes.

T: resiny hops, light citrus, caramel and lightly toasted malts, peppercorn and woody/oak notes.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: flavorful but not really memorable. pretty drinkable but the odor turns you off a bit. Just not quite belgian enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 02:20:43 | More by kylehay2004

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Single bottle from Premier Gourmet in Buffalo. Poured into a Duvel goblet.

Light amber-golden, slightly hazy, with a pillowing head of foam that survives as little islands. Some lacing.

Nose is bittering hops, grass, some funk, heavy grain.

Decent Belgian IPA, with a good balance of grain/funk of the Belgian ale style with some juicy grassy hops providing a nice counterpoint.

Nice brew - I certainly picked this brew up because of the name/label and the controversy that surrounded that, but it holds its own fairly well.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 20:00:27 | More by JohnnyBarman

gestyr

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought a six-pack to try it out. My wyfe actually liked it; she doesn't like any beer. lol

A: Pours a nice copper color, clear with small bubbles rising through the glass and a creamy white head the subsides to a thin coating and leaves lots of lacing.

S: Belgian yeast, subtle hops aroma, malt, fruity ... bananas and citrus

T: The taste mirrors the aroma. The bitterness doesn't linger but lets you know it is there.

M: On the high end of light bodied, almost medium. No carbonation sting, no alcohol aftertaste.

O: I will buy this again. A nice IPA for a hot summer evening. It would go really well with a sharp cheese.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 23:29:49 | More by gestyr

tylerprince

Colorado

3.13/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bought a six pack at the local bottle shop after hearing all the hullaballoo. Ultimately a tad disappointed.

Pours a clear copper with minimal bubbling. One finger off white head with minimal retention. Thin lacing.

Belgian yeast aromas with ample citrus and grass. Alcohol/ketones are prevalent.

Taste is overly bitter. Ultimately this beer comes across not as Belgian but as an extremely aggressive IPA with what tastes like a rye backbone. The ABV is readily apparent, and, when combined with the bitter citrus/aspirin finish this beer packs, is just too much. Belgian complexities are lost in hoppy astringency.

MF is thin and overcarbonated. Alcohol sensation burns the palate like cheap wine. No resins.

Overall, this beer strikes me as an underwhelming attempt at a style becoming increasingly popular. Flying Dog's focus seemed to be not on the beer as a cohesive whole, but rather on making a voluminously hopped IPA with some fancy yeast in it.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 00:15:48 | More by tylerprince

UCLABrewN84

California

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy dark orange with a 1 inch foamy off-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, herbal hops, spices, Belgian yeast, and slight banana. Taste is of Belgian yeast and herbal hops up front with a malt finish and a slight banana aftertaste. There is a medium amount of hop bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer in the flavor department with a great smell that makes for an easy drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 04:53:49 | More by UCLABrewN84

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Cloudy orange with lots of bubbles and a one-finger, white, creamy head that lasted a couple of minutes. Nice lacing.

S: Light spicy hops and tropical aromas. Pineapple and mango.

T: Light sweetness and moderate to strong bitterness. Spicy hops and a sort of burnt character. Toasted malt is in there too.

M: Medium bodied with lively carbonation. Crisp and refreshing.

O: This beer has a unique taste to it that's hard to describe. I really like it. It looks really good in the glass too.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 22:58:52 | More by SolipsismalCat

Greenmachine07

3.53/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-like you would expect, light clear no real head

S-very hoppy, searching for something more and yet i just get hops which is not bad, but i like some depth.

T-hops BAM, very bitter and hop filled, notes of pine tword the end and a trace of balance, but it very much is and IPA and the taste shows.

O-if you like hopes and not to much balance it is good. i would not recommend it if you are just venturing down the IPA road, but its a good drink and i would get it again

Decent price decent beer. there are more balanced IPAs and ones with more hops, but this one gets the hops down but leaves me wanting some character/depth

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 00:42:55 | More by Greenmachine07

yamar68

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Another foul-mouthed beer name from Flying Dog. Poured from bottle to standard pint:

Pours a nice looking burnt gold with a finger of dense, creamy head. Pretty good lacing and a very active body.

Definitely some spicy yeast right off the bat. Citric hops and mild malt backbone. A bit dull, but nicely balanced.

I'm digging this one. The spicy yeast character goes great with the highly bitter hop profile. Very heavy stuff, in a good way.

Feel is good but the finish is exceedingly bitter - like straight up orange peel bitter going on up in here. It doesn't detract from the beer but it also doesn't have me thirsty for another one.

Overall, a unique beer. Give it a go.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 23:40:06 | More by yamar68

divineaudio

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

tulip glass.

a - pours a deep amber color and gave me a pinky's worth of rocky, light tan colored foam. retention is excellent, slowly falling back to a thin cap. leaves some nice, leggy lacing in the glass.

s - bubblegum, grass, clove or cinnamon spice.

t - toffee malt character with a faint spiciness. faint grapefruit bitterness leads into big herbal bitterness before finishing dry with a pine resin snap. yeast flavors take a back seat to the hops in this one. faint alcohol taste on the back of the tongue.

m - medium in body lightened up with the right amount of carbonation. finer co2 profile. faint alcohol warming. very smooth.

o - a nice take on the style, more so than i was expecting. the mouthfeel is really what makes this so enjoyable for me as the belgian yeast is toned down and carbonation levels are just right. easily the best flying dog brew i have had yet.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 23:25:46 | More by divineaudio

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Clear deep copper with a semi-creamy foam head.

S: Cloves, lemon, banana, caramel, and a faint balsamic quality as it warms. Very pleasing and dynamic aroma.

T: Toasted grains (cereal-like) and a sweet caramel-like malt is predominant with lesser of the fruit and spice qualities detected in aroma. Lemon zest and a slight balsamic quality are there with a bit of digging.

M: Medium bodied with a mild carbonation. Solid oily character.

D: Quite good with an interesting taste profile that leans towards a malty base with belgian qualities more subdued.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 04:13:42 | More by Digimaika2

aranheaney

New York

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into a Red Solo Cup:

A-decent depth, hazy, some head

S-good IPA stuff here, citrus

T-good, alcohol on the backside

M-fair, not enough thickness for me

O-good, a slight departure from normal IPA's which is good sometimes

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 20:06:09 | More by aranheaney

TheSixthRing

California

3.53/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a clear golden amber with a white finger width head. Average retention, leaving behind a lace that's spotty but semi-sticky.

Smell - Citrus hops, backed behind a faint Belgian yeast aroma.

Taste - Starts off slightly citric, bitter orange peel, then some toasted biscuit malt kicks in. Finish is slightly sour; almost lemon-like in character.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied. Decently carbonated.

Overall - Their Wildeman Farmhouse Belgian IPA is far superior. The belgian yeast qualities in this are just too scaled back, giving it an average IPA feel with just a touch of sour, as if someone added a small squirt of lemon to the beer. Of the 4-5 Belgian IPA's I've had, this one is easily the least interesting.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 05:43:03 | More by TheSixthRing

NiceTaps

New Jersey

2.55/5  rDev -35.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A nice looking golden amber color with a white one-finger head. Nice bubbles and lacing.
It all goes downhill from here.

S- offensively bitter and sour yet sweet and caramel malty. I tried to find the spices and citrus and grass that I read about but failed.

T- I love hops but this beer simply killed my tastebuds until the very last second of each sip, just then did I pick up it's Belgian IPA
dry wheat and grain flavors.

M- it's carbonated and oily, but it sucks the life out of my mouth, the same way a tart lemon does.

O- this beer is too over the top for me. Note to brewer- tone it down so the flavor has a chance.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 01:02:25 | More by NiceTaps

secondtooth

Indiana

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clean amber, with a solid if unremarkable head of white bubbles. Attractive treeline lace.

Nose seems spicy and fruity, with a touch of floral hops. Intriguing!

Taste is spicy, with definite notes of citrus hoppiness. Nary a hint of the relatively high ABV (8.3%). This is a well-done spicy, hoppy Belgian-style IPA that's worth revisiting.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 06:08:27 | More by secondtooth