Beer Review: Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat

Flying Dog’s Tire Bite left me disappointed, but In-Heat Wheat was a lot better, and not just because of its more amusing name. In fact, this brew from Frederick, Maryland was easily the best of the wheat beers I tried while at Memphis in May.

In-Heat Wheat featured an intense floral and fruity aroma that was more appealing than the typical yeasty, bready smell associated with wheat beer. The flavor, like virtually all wheat beers, was citrusy and herbal, but in a unique way. Rather than the usual semi-sweet lemon/orange flavor, In-Heat Wheat tasted strongly of bittersweet grapefruit. The herbal component was the ubiquitous coriander, featured more heavily than in most wheat beers. This also helped to keep In-Heat Wheat from being just another sweet American wheat beer.

Hops featured much more prominently than than the average wheat beer; Flying Dog describes the beer as more malty than hoppy, so once I again I find myself at odds with the brewers’ appraisal of their handiwork. Regardless, combined with the bittersweet primary flavors, the hoppiness ensured a satisfyingly dry finish. Full-bodied for a wheat beer, In-Heat Wheat poured with negligible head and no lacing. I’m not sure what it is about wheat beers that causes this to often happen, but it’s always disappointing. Even so, for its well-balanced flavor, solid body and ability to stand out in a highly crowded style of beer, I give In-Heat Wheat 81 points out of 100.

Photo courtesy of FlyingDogAles.com