Flying Dog Double Dog 6Pk

Flying Dog Double Dog 6Pk is a 6-pack of the 11.5% ABV American Double IPA from Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland. Originally brewed as a limited commemorative release for the brewery's 10th anniversary, Double Dog earned a permanent spot in the year-round lineup beginning in 2009—a testament to its enduring popularity among hop-forward beer drinkers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11.5%  |  Origin: Frederick, Maryland, USA  |  Style: American Double/Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Flying Dog Brewery

Production & Heritage

Flying Dog Brewery was founded in Aspen, Colorado in 1990 before relocating operations to Frederick, Maryland, where it grew into one of the Mid-Atlantic's most recognized craft breweries. In May 2023, F.X. Matt Brewing Company acquired the brand. Double Dog is built on a triple-hop bill of Columbus, Warrior, and Cascade hops, layered over a robust caramel malt backbone that supports its considerable 11.5% ABV. The combination of bittering, flavor, and aroma hops creates a multilayered double IPA that balances aggression with drinkability despite its high alcohol content.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with provocative dried-fruit aromatics—raisins and dark stone fruit—before giving way to bright citrus peel and resinous pine. A subtle malty sweetness lingers underneath, grounding the hop-forward character.

Taste: The entry is immediately hop-driven, with bitter grapefruit and piney resin hitting the front of the palate. At mid-palate, a deep caramel malt sweetness emerges to counterbalance the hop intensity. The interplay between bitter citrus and malt-driven sweetness creates a layered, full-bodied experience that reveals its 11.5% strength gradually rather than all at once.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering pine bitterness and a faint dried-fruit sweetness. A subtle alcohol warmth rounds out the tail end, reminding you this is a serious double IPA.

How to Drink Double Dog

Double Dog is best served at 50–55°F in a tulip glass or snifter, which concentrates its complex hop aromatics and allows the malt sweetness to develop as it warms slightly. Its high ABV and bold flavor also make it a surprisingly effective ingredient in beer cocktails. A Hop Drop—Double Dog poured slowly over a shot of bourbon—plays on the caramel malt overlap between the two. A Citrus Shandy with fresh grapefruit juice tames the bitterness for a brunch-worthy serve. A Michelada variation with hot sauce and lime amplifies the hop spice into something savory and complex.

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a backyard cookout or game day gathering
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward high-ABV hop bombs
• Pairing with bold, rich foods like smoked meats or sharp cheeses
• Adding a conversation-starting beer to a tasting flight of American double IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Dog taste like? Double Dog delivers bold bitter grapefruit and piney hop flavors balanced by a robust caramel malt sweetness, with dried-fruit undertones of raisin and dark stone fruit throughout.

How does Double Dog compare to Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA? Both are widely available American double IPAs, but Double Dog clocks in at 11.5% ABV versus 90 Minute's 9%, making it noticeably bigger and warmer on the palate. Double Dog leans more toward piney, resinous bitterness and caramel malt, while 90 Minute IPA is known for its continuously hopped smoothness and more moderate body.

Is Double Dog good for sipping? At 11.5% ABV, Double Dog is built to be sipped slowly rather than consumed quickly; serving it slightly below room temperature in a tulip glass brings out its full range of hop and malt complexity.

Where is Double Dog made? Double Dog is brewed by Flying Dog Brewery, which operated out of Frederick, Maryland for decades and was acquired by F.X. Matt Brewing Company (Utica, New York) in May 2023.

What foods pair well with Double Dog? Smoked brisket or pulled pork matches the malt sweetness and stands up to the hop bitterness. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complements the caramel backbone. Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the hop bitterness cutting through the heat. A rich chocolate brownie or bread pudding creates a surprisingly harmonious dessert pairing by echoing the dried-fruit and caramel notes.

What sizes does Double Dog come in? The standard retail format is a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles, though availability of other formats may vary by market.

Is Double Dog worth the price? Double Dog positions as a mid-tier craft 6-pack with a significantly higher ABV than most double IPAs in its price range, offering strong value for drinkers who want serious hop intensity without moving into limited-release territory.

Why Double Dog?

Double Dog's origin as a one-off anniversary beer that demanded permanent production tells you everything about its staying power. The triple-hop combination of Columbus, Warrior, and Cascade delivers a more aggressive bitterness profile than many competitors in the double IPA category, while the deep caramel malt body prevents it from becoming a one-dimensional hop assault. At 11.5% ABV, it sits at the upper end of the style, yet manages to remain balanced enough for repeat drinking. For anyone building a lineup of reliable American double IPAs, Double Dog remains one of the most accessible and full-flavored options on the shelf.