While most breweries rely on the brewmaster or a small team of specialists to develop new beers, Flying Dog Brewing Company enlists the help of its employees—from accountants to administrators—to develop the lineup for their annual Brewhouse Rarity Series. The Rarity Series features unique styles not found on their standard roster of brews, like January’s Chipotle Dark Ale and the upcoming Cinnamon Porter (December 2013).
“This project began as a way to broaden our approach to new creative concepts,” explains Matt Brophy, head brewer. “There are some breweries where only one brewmaster or two individuals create new recipes. While I am very proud of the recipes I’ve created over the years, I feel that it would be shortsighted to not harness the creativity of others on the brewing team, but also team members involved in other areas of our business. Before we had an outlet and process for this there were a lot of unfinished conversations that usually started with, ‘You know what we should brew…’ Now individuals or teams put together a more comprehensive proposal, or as we refer to it, a pitch.”
Every July, the employees of Flying Dog take off to Gambrill State Park of the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland for a day full of eating, drinking and pitching. The ideas are thrown at the brew team, who records the session for later review. If a day at the mountains isn’t incentive enough, the brew team rewards employees who create a winning picks, which are revealed at an announcement party.
In the project’s third year about 40 new beers were proposed, eight of which were picked to become 2014’s Brewhouse Rarity Series. The beers will be available in the Mid-Atlantic region mostly on draft, with the exception of a few chosen to be sold in 6-packs. This new lineup sticks true to their pursuit of creativity, and in 2014 we’ll see a Mango Habenero IPA, Mint Chocolate Stout, Ginger beer, Agave Lager, Lemongrass Rice Ale, Hoppy American Wheat, Honey Ale and Dopplebock. Out of this slate of eight, Mint Chocolate Stout, Agave Lager, Dopplebock and Hoppy American Wheat will also be available in 6-packs.
To learn more about Flying Dog and their beers, head to FlyingDogAles.com, and if you’re in the Mid-Atlantic, enjoy a Brewhouse Rarity before they’re all gone!
If you were a Flying Dog employee, what beer would you pitch to Matt Brophy and the brew team?
Claire Chastain is a lifelong North Carolinian who relocated to Boulder, Colorado to become the Craft Beer Program Intern. When she’s not checking out local taprooms, you can find her on the Ultimate frisbee field or hiking with her dog.
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