Toppling Goliath — Brewers Reserve Society TG (2024)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A decadent, full-bodied imperial stout that showcases Toppling Goliath’s mastery of barrel-aged indulgence. Time spent in apple brandy barrels imparts warming oak, orchard fruit nuance, and a gentle spirit-forward depth, while generous vanilla beans lend a silky, dessert-like sweetness. The pour delivers waves of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and rich espresso, layered with notes of fudge, maple-tinged sweetness, and toasted oak. Each sip unfolds with luxurious viscosity and a long, lingering finish where bourbon-adjacent warmth meets creamy vanilla. A true allocation-tier sipper crafted for slow, contemplative enjoyment.

Food Pairing

Pair with a warm flourless chocolate torte topped with vanilla bean ice cream to mirror the beer’s decadent cocoa and vanilla layers. Alternatively, serve alongside an aged blue cheese like Stilton with candied pecans and dried figs, where the salty, pungent bite contrasts beautifully with the stout’s oak-driven sweetness and roasted 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.