Side Project — The Blend

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

A masterful collaboration pouring jet black with a dense mocha crown, this blended imperial stout layers complexity from extended bourbon barrel aging. The aroma opens with rich bourbon, oak, and warm vanilla, giving way to dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malt. On the palate, decadent waves of fudge, caramel, and toffee meld with maple syrup sweetness and a whisper of charred oak. Mid-palate brings espresso bitterness balanced by silky vanilla, while the finish lingers with bourbon warmth, dark cocoa, and toasted coconut nuance. Full-bodied, viscous, and impeccably integrated, this is a sipping stout built for contemplation.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte or bourbon-glazed bread pudding to mirror the beer’s decadent vanilla and oak character. For savory contrast, try aged gouda, smoked blue cheese, or a hand-rolled cigar, allowing the roasted malt and barrel depth to shine alongside rich, complex flavors.

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.