Toppling Goliath Golden Nugget IPA

Toppling Goliath Gold Nugget India Pale Ale, Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, Decorah, Iowa.  6% ABV. 56 IBU.

Another trip to Wisconsin on a Sunday, another visit to Casanova's in Hudson, another chance to get a growler fill of Toppling Goliath beer. And this time, I remembered the growlers. I've had a sample of this from a bottle brought to me by Dave Anderson (not David Anderson, of Dave's BrewFarm, the other one, the one who comments on here from time to time, yeah, I mentioned you Dave, what are you going to do about it?) And now I have 64 ounces all to my self for a mere $9.99. What a steal! They're crazy over there! (I might have to pay as much as $20 for a growler fill of Cuvee des Jacobins, though.)


Time to tell about the beer, isn't it? I've been typing away this whole time, with glass beneath my nose tantalizing me…let's get to it!

Crystal clear and bright golden, under a a pearl white cap of foam, looking luscious.

Aromatics are bursting out all over. I could guess the hop(s), but I don't know if I'd get it right, so let's just throw it out there, in order of possible likelihood: 1. Amarillo, 2. Citra, 3. Cascade. {I'm an idiot. It's Nugget hops, along with 4 unmentioned others,  and Golden Promise malt. Of course it is.}All kinds of juicy citric goodness, lemon and lemon are outshone by pineapple and mango and other tropical delights. Resiny, piney bitter traces are also present, but stay off to the sidelines. Gorgeous nose that continues to unfold it's flavors.

Taste: Hoppy at the fore, a terrific buzz on the palate, and a flavor that hangs in for the long haul. Bright, shiny, a treat on the tongue. Malt body is lean and clean, leaving the hops to do their thing. How damnably delicious is this? A lot, that's how much.

Here's a little ol' official blurb about it: "This spectacularly golden, medium bodied IPA was crafted from a winning combination of Golden Promise malt and Nugget hops.

Fall in love with the big hop aroma of our Golden Nugget as it mingles with fragrances of citrus and evergreen, followed by a floral sweetness. Tropical fruit flavors entice your taste buds before immediately captivating you with a bold, hop forward taste and a pleasant bitterness that lingers in the finish."

Damn, it's good.