Sshhhh, don't tell anyone but I got Flying Dog Garde Dog for free. Not from the brewery or even a distributor, but a retail shop owner who some how got an extra sample and decided I was worth the gift. No beer is taster than free, except maybe your own.

The appearance is a yellowish coppery color with good head retention. It is a brilliantly clear beer. A slight sour sensation in the nose with slight phenolic character. Falling somewhere between a Maibock and a Berliner Weiss in aroma.

Malt character dominates the palette, that slight funk in the aroma is gone in the flavor. The beer feels a bit heavy on the tongue with some sweetness apparent almost crystal malt like but it is not excessive or overly complex.

Looking over the Biere de Garde at the BJCP page it seems they hit the mark on the style pretty well. It is a bit light for the style at 5.5% ABV, but makes it to closer to the blonde with the hop levels. Though the color seems a bit closer to the amber to my mind.

Overall I enjoyed this beer, I could easily see it as a great Summer beer here in the mountains of Flagstaff. Enough flavor to keep one's interest, but not excessively heavy.