An IPA with no hops by two breweries separated by sea? Dodge the draft, hide your wives, and guard your children. The International Arms Race is on!
Flying Dog Brewery and BrewDog’s International Arms Race Zero IBU IPA pits brewer against brewer in a battle of the brewing arts. Unlike your standard collaboration, each brewery will craft its own version of the beer, only guided by common ingredients.
“Each of us producing our own beer highlights the human element of the brewing process,” Flying Dog Brewmaster Matt Brophy said. “Even with the same ingredients, the hands that craft it are hugely influential in the end product.”
Another challenge for these friendly foes? Hops, a brewer’s best weapon on the IPA front, are banned from the battlefield.
To achieve a Zero IBU IPA, the brewers agreed upon a list of ingredients — spearmint, bay leaves, rosemary, juniper berries, and elderflower — to replace the bitterness typically imparted by hops.
“When the hardcore team at Flying Dog challenged us to battle, there was no way we wouldn’t take them on,” BrewDog Captain James Watt said. “Now it’s time to see who’s boss.”
The project will also be a battle of illustrators, pitting Gonzo artist Ralph Steadman’s work for Flying Dog against the designs of Johanna Basford, a long-time friend of BrewDog.
“There are so many facets to this project, which are challenging but also exciting,” Brophy said. “We are ready for all out war.”
International Arms Race will be available in June on draft and in 12 oz. bottles (6-packs for Flying Dog, loose case singles for BrewDog) in the mid-Atlantic U.S. and in the U.K.
About Flying Dog Brewery:
“Good Beer, No Shit.” Located in Frederick, MD, Flying Dog is Maryland’s largest brewery. As its tagline proclaims, Flying Dog is committed to producing world-class craft beer and continues to push the envelope with experimental and limited-edition releases. Recent accolades include Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale ranked as the #1 American Pale Ale in the U.S. by The New York Times and Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA named one of the best new beers in 2010 by multiple sources. For more information, please visit www.flyingdogbrewery.com.