Flying Dog Variety 12Pk

Flying Dog Variety 12Pk is a mixed 12-pack of 12 oz Imperial IPAs, each clocking in at 8.7% ABV, from the iconoclastic Flying Dog Brewery. This collection brings together four aggressively hopped styles — Juiced Up, Citrus Crush, Tropical, and The Truth — each with its own hop bill and flavor direction, making it one of the more ambitious IPA variety packs on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.7%  |  Origin: Frederick, Maryland (USA)  |  Style: Imperial IPA Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Flying Dog Brewery

Production & Heritage

Flying Dog Brewery was founded in Frederick, Maryland, and built a reputation on bold, boundary-pushing beers and the unmistakable label art of Ralph Steadman — the British illustrator best known for his collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson. In 2023, the brand was acquired by F.X. Matt Brewing Company, with production transitioning to their facility in Utica, New York. The Imperial IPA Variety Pack showcases the brewery's hop-centric philosophy across four distinct recipes, each built around different hop varieties and fruit-forward flavor profiles while sharing a common 8.7% ABV backbone.

Tasting Notes

Juiced Up: Built on a foundation of Citra, Bru-1, and Galaxy hops, this one opens with explosive tropical fruit aromatics — pineapple, ripe mango, and citrus peel. The palate delivers a juicy, resinous hop punch with a moderately bitter close.

Citrus Crush: Orange-dominant on the nose with a bold, juicy hop character. The flavor leans heavily into fresh-squeezed citrus with enough malt sweetness to keep the bitterness in check.

Tropical: Mango and guava lead the charge here, creating a full-throttle tropical punch on both the nose and palate. The body is rich and slightly viscous, typical of a well-built Imperial IPA.

The Truth: The most classic of the four. Pine resin dominates the nose, evolving into bright citrus and subtle stone fruit flavors on the palate. The finish is sharp and decisively bitter — a nod to West Coast IPA tradition.

How to Drink the Flying Dog Variety Pack

At 8.7% ABV, these are sipping beers best enjoyed cold from the can or poured into a tulip glass to release the aromatic hop oils. The variety format encourages tasting them side by side to appreciate how different hop combinations reshape the Imperial IPA template.

• Juiced Up works well alongside spicy Thai food, where tropical hop notes complement chili heat.
• Citrus Crush pairs naturally with grilled shrimp tacos or ceviche.
• The Truth stands up to a charred burger or smoked brisket, where its pine bitterness cuts through fat.

Best For

• IPA enthusiasts looking to explore four distinct hop profiles in one purchase
• Hosting a beer tasting night with a focused Imperial IPA flight
• Gifting a craft beer fan who gravitates toward bold, high-ABV styles
• Stocking a cooler for a backyard cookout where hoppy beers and grilled food collide

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Flying Dog Variety Pack taste like? The four beers share a bold, hop-forward Imperial IPA intensity at 8.7% ABV but diverge in flavor — ranging from tropical pineapple and mango to sharp pine resin and bright citrus, giving drinkers a full spectrum of modern IPA styles.

How does the Flying Dog Variety Pack compare to Dogfish Head variety packs? Flying Dog's Imperial IPA pack is narrower in scope, focusing exclusively on high-ABV IPAs at 8.7%, while Dogfish Head variety packs typically include a broader mix of styles and ABV ranges, appealing to drinkers who want more stylistic diversity.

Is the Flying Dog Variety Pack good for beginners? At 8.7% ABV with aggressive hop bitterness across all four beers, this pack is better suited for experienced IPA drinkers than those new to craft beer — beginners may find the intensity overwhelming.

Where is the Flying Dog Variety Pack made? Flying Dog Brewery was originally based in Frederick, Maryland, and the brand retains its Maryland identity, though production has moved to F.X. Matt Brewing Company's facility in Utica, New York, following a 2023 acquisition.

What foods pair well with the Flying Dog Variety Pack? Spicy Thai curries complement the tropical hop notes of Juiced Up and Tropical; grilled citrus-marinated chicken pairs with Citrus Crush; smoked meats and aged cheddar stand up to The Truth's pine-forward bitterness; and fish tacos work across the entire range.

What sizes does the Flying Dog Variety Pack come in? The standard format is a 12-pack of 12 oz cans containing three cans each of the four Imperial IPA varieties.

Is the Flying Dog Variety Pack worth the price? As an all-Imperial-IPA variety pack at 8.7% ABV, it positions in the premium craft tier and delivers strong value for hop-focused drinkers who would otherwise need to buy four separate six-packs to sample the same range of styles.

Why the Flying Dog Variety Pack?

Most brewery variety packs hedge their bets by mixing lighter styles alongside one or two stronger beers. Flying Dog takes the opposite approach here, committing fully to Imperial IPA territory and letting the hop bill do the differentiating. The four selections span tropical, citrus, and pine-resin profiles without dipping below 8.7% ABV — a lineup that rewards drinkers who know what they want from an IPA and want to see how far the style can stretch. The Steadman artwork on each label remains a visual hallmark that no other American craft brewery can replicate, reinforcing the brand's long-standing countercultural identity.