Toppling Goliath — Assassin 2025

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose announces itself with waves of bourbon-soaked vanilla, toasted coconut, and espresso grounds, layered over dark molasses and charred oak. On the palate, this imperial stout delivers viscous intensity—rich caramel and toffee meld with bittersweet chocolate, coffee liqueur, and warming bourbon heat. The coconut character emerges mid-palate, adding tropical complexity to the roasted malt foundation. The finish is long and luxurious, balancing residual sweetness with oak tannins, lingering coffee bitterness, and a gentle alcoholic warmth that never overwhelms the intricate flavour architecture.

Food Pairing

Pair with dark chocolate torte featuring salted caramel and toasted hazelnuts, where the beer’s bourbon notes amplify the dessert’s complexity while cutting through richness. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Stilton or Roquefort with dried figs—the beer’s sweetness and roasted character complement the blue cheese’s pungency while the coconut adds an unexpected tropical counterpoint to the pairing’s savoury depth.

About Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company was founded in 2009 in Decorah, Iowa, a small town in the northeastern part of the state. What began as a modest operation has evolved into one of America’s most sought-after craft breweries, earning a cult following among beer enthusiasts worldwide. The brewery has built its reputation on producing exceptionally bold, hop-forward beers with meticulous attention to ingredient quality and brewing precision.

Toppling Goliath is particularly renowned for its India Pale Ales, with their flagship offerings showcasing intensely aromatic hop profiles and complex flavour layering. The brewery’s commitment to small-batch production and limited distribution has only heightened demand for their beers, which often appear on allocation lists and trade highly among collectors. Their brewing philosophy centres on pushing boundaries while maintaining balance and drinkability, even in their most intensely flavoured offerings.

The name itself reflects the David versus Goliath ethos of craft brewing, with a small independent brewery challenging established industry giants through quality and innovation. Their beers consistently rank among the highest-rated in the world, cementing Toppling Goliath’s status as an iconic American craft brewery.

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