Pale Ales – Full Sail and Flying Dog

Full Sail Pale Ale (5.4% ABV and 37 IBU) has won a few awards over the years pours clear golden amber with a lacy head.  Full Sail describes Pale Ale as, “a fresh hoppy aroma that comes from two (top secret) Northwest hop varieties, while two-row Pale and Crystal malt give it a mild sweetness that finishes clean and crisp.”  Full Sail’s Pale Ale has a nice balance between sweetness and bitterness and this is another nice offering from Full Sail.

Going across country to the East Coast, I tried Flying Dog’s Doggie Style (5.5% ABV and 35 IBU) is a Pale Ale.  The numbers are very close to Full Sail’s offering and the beer pours a similar color to Full Sail, with a larger head.  The taste is different and I am thinking it is probably from the hops and different malt profile.  The hops are Northern Brewer (probably for bittering) and Cascade (probably for aroma). Flying Dog describes Doggie Style as, “the Alpha of the pack.  Doggie Style compliments a wide range of foods.  Flavor notes: Grassy, citrus, and slight perfume aromas with subtlety sweet malt body.”  The flavor notes are spot on and I did enjoy Doggie Style more than Full Sail’s Pale Ale.  Both pale ales are good; I just liked Flying Dog better.