Flying Dog has been reaching out to bloggers recently more than any craft brewer in the USA. Beers, contests, friendly emails with people who actually respond. Which makes sense when you think of it. How better to get the word out? I mean most bloggers will work for years to get one...measly...free...beer. VINDICATION HONEY!
Anyway, Flying Dog was good enough to send review samples of their seasonal marzen, Dogtoberfest to two of our writers, Josh and Gary, and both had a go at the beer. Gary, operating under a strict deadline imposed by me and the need to be a good host this evening wrote:
Poured a pretty caramel color, first taste shows a lager, although the label says something about ales. Nice, good and thick lager-ish ale, or ale-ish lager, reminds me of Wagner Valley Amber Lager. I had a Saranac IPA just after, and much preferred the Dogtoberfest in comparison (although very different beer types).Josh was under less of a time crunch:
Fall is far from arriving here in Raleigh, NC where we’ve endured three weeks that had at least four days each of 100F weather and the heat is not over yet. Still the Octoberfests and the pumpkin ales are trickling on to the shelves, much to my delight. With that note I must preface this blog with the note that the Dogtoberfest shipped to me by Flying Dog also probably endured two days of 100F, but my taste buds don't think that it suffered.Did they say much the same thing? To each their own and from each to us theirs. That's what I say...why didn't I go into advertising? Here is what the BAers say.This beer pours a rich crystal clear reddish copper topped with a nice off white head. Its aromas are all of sweet clean malt. There's a touch of munich malt in the aroma but it's not overpowering. The press statement accompanying the beer states that five German malts and two different German hops are used in the brewing. The malt in the taste is playful dancing across your tongue with a light rich sweet goodness that doesn't identify itself or overtake your senses. A touch of bitterness balances out the malt in the finish complimenting the sweetness nicely. The mouthfeel is a luxurious blend of body and carbonation that is slightly silky. Overall this beer is a nice clean lager with a light but complex malty focus that would be a great fall session beer, even if it is an odd puppy in the Flying Dog "litter of ales."
Comments
Thomas - September 1, 2007 1:13 am
Ahem, actually they have been doing one bad thing like spamming beer message boards. The Brewing Network in particular, they joined posted hello and all I have seen out of them since is press releases and not a honest participation as a community member. Now this is just my own opinion and frankly if they announced things in a more person voice I don't think I'd complain but it is what it is.
gary - September 1, 2007 7:25 am
Frankly, it is a great product, but the tiny little Wagner Valley Amber Lager travels 30 miles to my fridge, and Colorado beer travels at least 1500 miles, so.....
Jonathan - September 2, 2007 1:13 pm
I was about to respond in agreement to Flying Dog's recent blog tactics. However, I just read Thomas' comment. I was unaware of this particular facet of Flying Dog's internet presence, and frankly, am disappointed. This is a prime example of the power of internet marketing, either for good or bad. I still think Flying Dog has done some good stuff in reaching out to beer bloggers. Perhaps they've tried to stretch it too far.
Alan - September 2, 2007 9:14 pm
That is too bad but maybe a lesson to be learned. My dealings have all been personal and direct with Flying Dog staff.