Here’s a riddle for you: What do AI videos and non-alcoholic beer have in common? Both are getting so good that it’s becoming harder and harder to tell the real thing apart from the “imposter.”
Playing on this idea (and maybe boasting a little), Maryland-based Flying Dog Brewery named its first non-alcoholic beer Deepfake. According to a company spokesperson, Flying Dog Deepfake provides such a satisfying drinking experience that you’ll have a hard time believing it doesn’t contain alcohol.
So, is it true? Did this juicy IPA fool me into thinking I was drinking a real beer? Read my Flying Dog Deepfake review to find out.
A Quick Look At Flying Dog Deepfake
Flying Dog was founded in 1990 by physicist and former professor George Stranahan. While the brand got its start in Colorado, it’s now a decidedly East Coast beer, calling Frederick, Maryland home. These days, it’s one of the largest craft breweries in the United States.
Flying Dog Deepfake was released in July 2021 and is the brewery’s first attempt at creating an alcohol-free beer.
The name Deepfake plays on the idea of synthetic media created using artifical intelligence. Just as these photos and videos are nearly identical to the real versions, so too is Flying Dog Deepfake IPA a convincing beer stand-in.
Flying Dog Deepfake Review
Looks
Flying Dog Deepfake pours a hazy golden color. The carbonation is fairly light and there is not much of a head (about half a finger). The foam head retention is moderate, bubbling off in less than a minute.
Aroma
Smelling the beer, the smell of orange juice is the most prominent, although I can detect hints of grapefruit, tropical fruit (mango), and some caramel maltiness.
Taste
On the palate, Flying Dog Deepfake’s citrus orange flavor continue to dominate (as you’d expect from a juicy IPA), followed by some mellow mango notes.
There’s definitely some maltiness in there as well but I had a tough time sussing out the exact flavors. It was a bit caramel-y, a bit buttery, and a bit black tea-ish.
The mouthfeel was decent and Flying Dog Deepfake has a medium body. However, I found it was lacking a bit of backbone.
Flying Dog Deepfake Ingredients
Flying Dog Deepfake is made with a combination of hops and malts.
The hop blend contains three varieties: Mosaic, Simcoe, and Citra. Mosaic hops give off notes of berries, tropical fruit, and citrus. Simcoe hops are piney, earthy, and tropical. Citra hops can feature peach, apricot, lemon, and other tropical fruits.
Both Munich and Caramel Malt are used. Munich malt has a strong malt flavor with notes of caramel, honey, and bread. As its name suggests, Caramel Malt gives off strong caramel notes and a candy-like sweetness.
Flying Dog Deepfake Calories
Flying Dog Deepfake contains 39 calories per 12oz/355mL serving. There are 16g of carbs, 0g of fat, and 0g of protein.
| Avg Quantity Per Serving (12 oz/ 355 ml) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 39 kcal |
| Carbs | 16g |
| Fat | 0.0g |
| Protein | 0.0g |
Final Verdict Of My Flying Dog Deepfake Review
I’ll start off by saying that I really appreciate what Flying Dog tried to do with Deepfake. Rather than toss non-drinkers aside, Flying Dog made a commitment to create a really convincing beer substitute.
On top of that, I know how difficult it is to “fake” an IPA, especially a juicy IPA, so I’m really impressed by what Flying Dog has come up with.
Overall, though, I think this beer could be better. I felt a bit let down upon tasting it, mostly because it lacks dimension and complexity. A one trick pony, if you will.
The carbonation was also too light for my liking, giving Flying Dog Deepfake a flat feel. I think I would give this beer another shot, but it wasn’t be favorite.
Great For:
- If you like a milder non-alcoholic IPA that is well-balanced and not too bitter or hoppy
Not Recommended For:
- Those who seek out really hoppy IPAs
Where to Buy Flying Dog Deepfake
If you’re located in the United States, you can purchase Flying Dog Deepfake from Proof No More. It’s available in singles, 4-packs, 6-packs, or 12-packs.
Other Flying Dog Deepfake FAQs
Is Flying Dog Deepfake Gluten-Free?
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get a straight answer to this one. Nothing on the can or the company’s website indicates that Flying Dog Deepfake is gluten-free, but I wasn’t able to find a full ingredients list to verify.
As a general rule, non-alcoholic beers are typically not gluten-free due to the barley and/or wheat used in the brewing process. If you have a gluten intolerance, it’s best to give this one a pass, just to be on the safe side.
Find some awesome gluten-free NA alternatives on our Ultimate Guide To Gluten-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer!
Is Flying Dog Deepfake Alcohol-Free?
Like many of the non-alcoholic beers we review, Flying Dog Deepfake contains <0.5% ABV, making it effectively alcohol-free.
“Wait a minute,” you might be saying, “that’s still some alcohol, isn’t it?” Well yes, but the amont is negligible. It’s the same amount of alcohol you’d find in a ripe banana or a glass or apple juice.
Still confused? Check out our explanatory article 0.0% & 0.5% ABV: What Is Considered Non-Alcoholic?
Related: Can Non-Alcoholic Beer Get You Drunk? We Did The Math
Is Flying Dog Deepfake Vegan?
While we couldn’t find specific information about Flying Dog Deepfake being vegan, we’re pretty confident it is based on Flying Dog’s other products. According to a company email, all of the brewery’s year-round beers are vegan.
Some seasonal and special edition beers may contain non-vegan ingredients like milk or money, but that doesn’t apply to Flying Dog Deepfake.
If you enjoyed this Flying Dog Deepfake Non-Alcoholic IPA review, be sure to check out our other non-alcoholic IPA reviews!
A fairly convincing juicy IPA substitute that (kind of) lives up to its name