Toppling Goliath — Brewer’s Reserve Society BRS (2025)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The 2025 Brewer’s Reserve Society release from Toppling Goliath pours pitch black with a decadent, full-bodied presence that defines this allocation-tier series. Expect a luxurious cascade of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and rich espresso, layered with notes of maple syrup, vanilla, and silky fudge. Barrel character lends warming bourbon, supple oak, and a whisper of apple brandy sweetness, weaving through the dessert-like core. Each sip unfolds with espresso bitterness balancing the syrupy malt backbone, finishing long, viscous, and indulgent. A meticulously crafted vintage stout built for slow sipping and cellar contemplation.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte or molten chocolate cake to amplify the fudge and espresso notes. Alternatively, serve alongside a bold aged blue cheese like Stilton with candied pecans and dried figs, where the saltiness and sweetness highlight the bourbon, vanilla, and maple complexity.

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.