If you go
Flying Dog’s Gonzo Fest
Where: Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Sept. 12
Info: $20 online in advance, $25 at the door; 21 and over; flyingdogales.com
Early in Hunter S. Thompson’s classic work “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” the writer details the contents of his car’s trunk, which include a case of a well-known popular macrobrew. We’ll just have to assume that Thompson, in all his wisdom, would have much preferred a few bottles of Flying Dog had it been available in the early 1970s.
In celebration of both the life of Hunter S. Thompson and its fine brew, Flying Dog Brewery is hosting GonzoFest this Saturday at its location in Frederick.
GonzoFest will include live music, a Hard Times Chili Cook-Off for the Maryland State Championships, beer sampling and a Hunter S. Thompson look-alike contest. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to support the United Way of Frederick County.
“We wanted something that was a little more representative of our history and connection with Hunter S. Thompson,” explained Flying Dog Director of Marketing Stephanie Kerchner.
Flying Dog’s relationship with the late Thompson goes back a number of years. Flying Dog owner George Stranahan befriended the legendary writer in the 1990s, as well as cartoonist Ralph Steadmad, most famous for his drawings associated with Thompson’s work. Steadman now creates the designs on all Flying Dog labels, and the brewery honored Thompson following his death in 2005 with the Gonzo Imperial Porter.
“The main point, we’re trying to celebrate the doctor’s life,” Kerchner said of GonzoFest. “It’s a whole celebration for Gonzo, Ralph Steadman and Flying Dog.”
This is the second annual GonzoFest — the first was last year shortly after the brewery finished relocating all production from its Colorado base to Frederick. Flying Dog started as a brewpub in 1990 in Colorado, and is now available across the country.
Flying Dog has created a bit of a following with such selections as its Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale and Old Scratch Amber Lager; as well as a number of seasonals. But it’s the brewer’s Canis Major series that really stands out, featuring the Gonzo Imperial Porter, Horn Dog Barley Wine, Double Dog Double Pale Ale and the Kerberos Tripel.
“As far as the beer, we’re always trying to push the envelope,” Kerchner said.
