Toppling Goliath — Koselig BA

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

The nose opens with decadent bourbon-soaked dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla custard, layered with espresso and charred oak. Fifteen months in barrel has woven caramelized brown sugar and dark fruit compote into the rich malt foundation. On the palate, viscous and warming at 14.7%, delivering waves of fudge brownie, toffee, and roasted coffee bean, tempered by whiskey barrel tannins and subtle coconut. The finish lingers extensively, showcasing dark cherry cordial, burnt sugar, and gentle barrel char that slowly fades to bittersweet cocoa and warming alcohol.

Food Pairing

Pair with a dense chocolate lava cake or bourbon pecan pie, where the beer’s barrel character and sweetness complement rather than compete with rich desserts. Alternatively, serve alongside aged Manchego or cave-aged Gruyère, allowing the beer’s roasted complexity and oak tannins to cut through creamy, nutty cheese while bourbon notes echo through savoury umami layers.

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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