Flying Dog K9 Cruizer – Winter Beer Review

January 18, 2010

Flying Dog K9 Cruizer was something of a surprise to me.  If you read the label of this winter ale, you are told that its a “dark, sweet and malty ale.”  I think someone may have stolen this beer’s identity!

When I poured it, I have to say it filled my glass quite necely and created what I think is almost a perfect looking head of foam!  (Dontcha think?)  I’m not sure if I’d classify it as dark though, although its hard to tell by the picture.

By looking at this K9 Cruizer, I’d say its meduim at best but maybe I’m knit-picking.  Maybe they mean dark in a relative type of way?  “K9 Cruizer is dark compared to a pale ale” type thing.  I know, I’m rambling.

The smell was also a confusing issue for me.  While there were hints of malt, and hints of sweetness, the strongest aroma I got from it was hops and alcohol.  Not strong, mind you, but hops and alcohol were the easiest to pick out.  At 6.4% ABV, I suppose that’s understandable.

The taste, (which is the most important part of this whole beer thing anyway) also left me confused.  Much like the smell, the dominant flavors were piney hops, and alcohol.  Spices, sure, there was some in there to make it a little interesting but overall I was unimpressed, and of course, confused!

Its funny, but I think my brain was expecting one thing, and got something completely different.  I mean, if you look at the Flying Dog Website, you’ll see that the K9 Cruizer is waaaaaay over on the malt end of their hop-malt spectrum.  No, that just can’t be right.

So, I’m not sure what to make of this particular Flying Dog beer.  During the summer, I had their In-Heat Wheat and thought it was a pretty good Hefeweizen.  Not the best, but I liked it.  This is a ‘winter ale’ which is kind of a nebulous categorization anyway, but to me its labeled completely wrong!

So here ya go.  If you like hoppy ales that have a nice slick mouthfeel, looks great in a glass and has a little spice – give the Flying Dog K9 Cruizer a try.  If you’re looking for a dark, sweet, and malty beer for a cold winter’s night, I’d suggest looking elsewhere!

Have you tried the K9 Cruizer?  Did you think it was a dark, sweet and malty beer, or am I just nuts?  Ever have a beer that completely threw you because the label led you to expect one thing, but what you experienced was another?

Posted in Ales, American Beers, Seasonal Beers