Toppling Goliath Double Barrel Assassin (2026) Imperial Stout

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A monument of American craft brewing, the Double Barrel Assassin pours an impenetrable obsidian black with a viscous, syrupy body. The nose opens with rich milk chocolate, fudge, and sweet caramel before bourbon warmth blooms alongside delicate apple brandy complexity. On the palate, layers of dark chocolate truffle and toffee are seamlessly woven together, building to a long, warming finish of orchard fruit and oak. Remarkably smooth for nearly 15% ABV, this is a beer of extraordinary patience and precision.

Food Pairing

A wedge of aged Comté or Gruyère, whose nutty, crystalline sweetness mirrors the beer’s caramel and fudge depth. Alternatively, a dark chocolate fondant with a salted caramel core provides a near-perfect mirror of the bourbon and apple brandy barrel character.

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.