Every dog has its day and this past Saturday, September 26th, 2009 in Denver, CO at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) was a proud day for Flying Dog Brewery. After winning gold medals for its Dogtoberfest Marzen, Gonzo Imperial Porter, Horn Dog Barley Wine plus a silver medal for its whiskey-barrel-aged Gonzo Imperial Porter, the Flying Dog team waited breathlessly for the “Mid-Sized Brewery of the Year” award to be announced. When it was announced that Flying Dog Brewery won the honor of “Mid-Size Brewery of the Year”, there were cheers, pats on the back and many hugs all around.

The mid-sized brewery category includes all breweries producing 15,000 to 2,000,000 barrels and is a large category with 76 breweries. The award is based on the total number and type of medals won in the various categories at this year’s GABF. Gold medals are awarded only to those beers that are world-class. Flying Dog’s 3 gold medals at this year’s GABF went a long way toward its winning the “Mid-Size Brewery of the Year” award.

Founded in 1990 in Aspen, CO, Flying Dog also introduced its 20th anniversary beer during their GABF party, Flying Dog Brats and Gonzo. Raging Bitch, a Belgian-style IPA, has been getting rave reviews as has the latest artwork from Ralph Steadman that graces the label. And with a name like “Raging Bitch”, Flying Dog continues to be as fun and edgy as ever.

“Good people drink good beer’, according to the late Hunter S. Thompson, and there was no shortage of either at this year’s GABF,” said Flying Dog’s General Partner and CEO, Jim Caruso. “It is a true joy being at GABF and a member of the community of craft brewers.”

The annual GABF is the super bowl of beer events. This year, 49,000 beer lovers attended and 495 breweries entered 3,308 beers in competition.

About Flying Dog

Flying Dog is the largest brewery in Maryland. Their award-winning “litter of ales” are available in 46 states and 27 countries. The Flying Dog Brewery is located at 4607 Wedgewood Blvd., just off English Muffin Way and MD Hwy 85 in Frederick, MD. Flying Dog’s core values of “purposeful, provocative and irreverence” flow through the veins of the brewery’s founding owners George Stranahan and Richard McIntyre. George and Richard were friends with the “Gonzo Journalist” Hunter S. Thompson, who coined the brand’s tagline “Good People Drink Good Beer,” and also with the “Gonzo Artist” Ralph Steadman, who illustrates the brand’s packaging. For more information please visit www.flyingdogales.com.