Toppling Goliath — Assassin with Coconut, Pecan and Vanilla (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

This 2023 release of Assassin layers decadent adjuncts over Toppling Goliath’s revered bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout base. The pour is impossibly dense, releasing aromas of fudge chocolate, toasted coconut, buttery pecan and pods of Madagascar vanilla. The first sip is pure dark chocolate truffle, drizzled with caramel and softened by sweet cream vanilla. Roasted coconut adds tropical richness while pecan contributes a nutty, praline-like depth. Bourbon warmth and seasoned oak weave through the finish, lending boozy gravitas without overwhelming the confectionery sweetness. A meticulously composed, dessert-forward stout built for slow, contemplative sipping.

Food Pairing

Pair with a warm pecan pie topped with vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the beer’s coconut and nut notes to mirror the dessert. Alternatively, serve alongside a dark chocolate flourless torte or aged gouda with toasted nuts, where the bourbon barrel character and roasted depth find a savory, contemplative counterpoint.

About Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. was founded in 2009 in Decorah, Iowa, a small town that has become an unlikely pilgrimage destination for craft beer enthusiasts worldwide. What began as a modest operation has evolved into one of America’s most sought-after breweries, built on an uncompromising commitment to quality and innovation. The brewery has earned particular acclaim for its hop-forward beers, especially its imperial IPAs and barrel-aged stouts that consistently rank among the most coveted releases in the craft beer community. Toppling Goliath’s approach centers on pushing boundaries while maintaining meticulous attention to ingredient selection and brewing precision. Their limited production runs and strategic distribution have cultivated an almost mythical status among collectors and aficionados. The brewery’s portfolio demonstrates remarkable versatility, from intensely hopped double IPAs to complex, bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts that showcase depth and balance. Despite expanding their facility to meet growing demand, Toppling Goliath has maintained the exacting standards that first established their reputation, proving that a small-town Iowa brewery could compete with and often surpass the most celebrated names in American craft brewing.