Special Delivery

Yesterday I came home to find that UPS had left me a package on my door step.  It seems that since I blog about beer, I have "earned" the right to free samples when Flying Dog releases a new beer.  Its certainly not why I started blogging but I am happy to accept any beer that comes my way.  As a marketer, I have to admit I impressed by Flying Dog's attempt to reach out to the beer drinking community through alternative means such as blogs.  Let's face it....they will probably never have the budget that A-B has to produce commercials, to purchase endless signs, to print millions of POS posters, and to sponsor the Super Bowl.  However, I would also venture that 99% of all microbreweries have no desire to head down that path.  Instead, they focus on producing high quality beers made from quality ingredients and then attempt to get the word out.  From there its all about taste and continuing to produce quality.  The brewer(s) or owner(s) often personify the brand or at least set the values of the company which ultimately end up guiding the brand message.  Not exactly complicated and very much "what you see is what you get" which I believe people find refreshing in today's ad filled world.

Neal Stewart, Director of Marketing at Flying Dog, appears to be embracing the blogging world as one way to share news of new brews.  The latest release from Flying Dog is a Belgian-style Wit Beer called Woody Creek White and was nestled down in the box I found at my door.  I am assuming that a sample went out to a number of bloggers, beer writers, and other press in an attempt to generate stories on the brewery and the new beer.  Well, Neal...it worked with me.  Thanks for judging to be worthy of helping to spread the word and feel free to keep them coming!

Now on to the beer.  In preparation for tonight's tasting, I decided to calibrate my palate last night by having a Hoegaarden.  This beer by originally by Pierre Celis helped revive the style in Belgium and I thought it would be an appropriate anchor for sampling the Woody Creek.  Plus it was a hot day and I find Belgian Wit beers to be very refreshing!  Here are a few details on Woody Creek and my tasting notes:

• Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
• OG: 1.047
• IBUs: 14
• Ingredients: German Pilsner, Unmalted Wheat, Oats, German Hallertau hops 
• Appearance: Cloudy pale yellow, white creamy foam that fades to a thin strip that rides to the bottom of the glass leaving a nice lacing
• Aroma: Citrus, orange, coriander spice
• Taste: Orange, light sweetness, and spice up front that quickly fades into some faint wheat flavors; very light, crisp finish; Not quite as carbonated as Hoegaarden but not flat either; Also less focus on coriander

Overall, I think that Woody Creek is a very refreshing beer that stands up to the goal of being "perfect for drinking on those hot summer days."  Personally I think that slightly stronger flavors would be good, but that is personal preference. I do like the subtleness around the coriander and spice flavors and probably just want a little more wheat to come through.  Nonetheless, the beer is very enjoyable as is and should be fairly successful.  Add a few Woody Creeks to the cooler and you should have some happy guests at your picnic this summer. 

Editorial Note:  While Flying Dog did provide the sample to me free of charge, I was in no way paid for this blog post.  The opinions on the beer are mine and mine alone. 

Comments

[Neal Stewart]

Glad you liked the Woody Creek White.