Dr. Gonzo and Cliff
Craft brewery
For many beer lovers those words conjure up an image of a favorite local small batch brewer that serves up amazing glasses of microbrewed artistry. It provides the pleasure of knowing that we have something truly special, something that few others know about.
For others, however, it draws a certain image of pretentiousness that keeps the day-to-day Miller Lite drinker from pulling up to the tap and enjoying something unique and entirely new.
At least one craft brewery located in Frederick, Maryland is doing what they can to attract a new generation of beer lovers by making great craft beer without the pretentiousness.
The Flying Dog brewery was formed in 1990 when a few friends set out on a great adventure. Founders George Stranahan and Richard McIntyre and some friends decided to embark on an amateur expedition to climb K2 in the Himalayas. Suffice to say, they were underqualified for the task, and they got into some trouble. They were all fortunate to escape the mountain with their lives; this certainly gave them a new perspective. After the harrowing experience they sat down at the hotel bar to knock back a few brews. At that point George Stranahan noticed a painting of a flying dog hanging on the wall. Noting that dogs do not actually fly, he drew a parallel to himself and his friends.
Nobody told that dog that he could not fly and sure enough nobody told them that they could not make that extraordinary journey. George’s new mantra instantly became “It is amazing what you can achieve if nobody tells you that you can’t.”
Thus, the Flying Dog brand was born.
A Symbol, a motto
In 1990, George and Richard opened the Flying Dog Brewpub in Aspen, Colorado. It was an instant hit amongst locals for its excellent brews and laid back, bohemian atmosphere.
Now, let’s flash forward a few years. George and Richard met famed Gonzo artist Ralph Steadman through George’s long time friend–Dr. Gonzo himself–famed journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. For those unfamiliar with the work of Hunter S. Thompson, it can best be summed up by saying that Thompson was a man that both wrote about, and lived, life on his own terms. Hunter S. Thompson lived a very fast life full of intellectual pursuits, illicit substances, an occasional firearm and lots of brew. Through the years Steadman has attempted to capture that gonzo spirit through his unique illustrations.
Yes, the beer is actualy that good!
Currently, Ralph Steadman does all the label art for the Flying Dog brand, and without a doubt it offers a unique character to every bottle of Flying Dog. On each bottle you will find a quote from Thompson: “Good people drink good beer.” The first piece of bottle art by Steadman is found on their Road Dog Porter variety emblazoned with this logo:
“Good Beer, No Shit”
It took five years of bickering with the Colorado liquor board to keep it on the label. Amazingly, common sense eventually prevailed.
More recently, Flying Dog’s primary brewery and distribution center has been moved to Frederick, Maryland, where they hold an annual celebration to honor the late Hunter S. Thomspson. Gonzofest is a celebration that is part beer, part music, part chili, and part amazing people. It’s a party that might be best described as “microbrew for the people”. The atmosphere is completely laid back and unpretentious despite the high production values of the brew. I sampled so many delicious variety’s of Flying Dog brew at the most recent Gonzofest that the beer itself really deserves its own stage, so I’ll save that discussion for a future article
In a way, Gonzofest is all about Livin’ the Icrontic Life. It’s about making new friends and having a good time on our own terms. The 3rd annual comes highly recommended for all to attend.
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