Tag: Kentucky Brunch

Hot 25 of ’13 Part 4!

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25Shout out to the folks at Coralville Brrr Fest this past weekend. Had another really good time and finally got to meet a few beer folks I’ve tweeted with frequently in the past. A lot of excitement for Eastern Iowa beer lovers again this week with the releases of Toppling Goliath XHOPS Orange and Zeelander. I have a couple of each in my fridge and will dig into them during the Iowa game tonight. Onto the list!

 

 

boulevard**Boulevard Saison-Brett**
If I remember correctly I enjoyed this for the 1st time during the warm month of August. I had just finished doing some random yardwork around the house and poured this brew. It was almost a goose bump moment when I took a nice long drink, I then immediately drove to a few Hy-Vees around the area and bought a bunch more bottles. Boulevard says it’s okay to cellar this beer if you want more of the “brett” to show through, and that’s what I’ve been doing but the temptation to bust out a few more is always there. More from the brewery:

Saison-Brett, based on our very popular Tank 7, is assertively dry hopped, then bottle conditioned with various yeasts, including Brettanomyces, a wild strain that imparts a distinctive earthy quality. Though this farmhouse ale was given three months of bottle age prior to release, further cellaring will continue to enhance the “Brett” character, if that’s what you’re after.

RATEBEER: 100/100
BEERADVOCATE: 96/100

schlafly**Schlafly American IPA**
Schlafly had been a hit and miss brewery with me until I tried their Tasmanian IPA and then their American IPA; both fantastic brews. American IPA barely beat out the Taz as I thought the Taz got a tad to sweet the longer it sit. Both are great, but Taz is nearing the end of its market time for the year and now we get to enjoy the American IPA. One great brew to another. From the brewery:

Exploding with hop flavor and aroma, this citrus/piney/floral ale has enough of a malt backbone to stand up to the intense bitterness.

RATEBEER: 98/100
BEERADVOCATE: 92/100

All Day**Founders All Day IPA**
Session IPAs are getting more and more pub as more and more breweries start to make them. However, no one has hit the nail on the head as Founders did with their All Day IPA. Cans and bottles, this IPA comes in at 4.7% and you consume quite a few of these without the normal result that an IPA brings such as puking all over a nice white carpet, waking up on a cold basement floor, pissing your pants (Mr. Haywood) …. you get where I’m going. This has become so popular we can expect the first (I believe) 15 pack of beer available coming this spring/summer. My go-to tailgate for Iowa Hawkeye football games. From the brewery:

The beer you’ve been waiting for. Keeps your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp. An all-day IPA naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains and hops. Balanced for optimal aromatic and a clean finish. The perfect reward for an honest day’s work and the ultimate companion to celebrate life’s simple pleasures.

RATEBEER: 96/100
BEERADVOCATE: 86/100

Kentucky Brunch**Toppling Goliath Kentucky Brunch**
I’m not sure there will be any sense of normalcy when it comes to crowds when Toppling Goliath does a special release, but at the 2013 Kentucky Brunch release times were still relatively normal. A huge crowd, yes, busy bar, but for the most part, containable. And even though I didn’t get to try it on tap (ticket #117), I was able secure 2 bottles. Saved for my wedding anniversary and shared with my wife (who loved it more than I was hoping), this brew met all the hype and I can’t wait to go to Decorah the next TG does a release. (Can I put up a tent in the parking lot?) From the brewery:

Beer Aged in Whiskey Barrels with Coffee. 

RATEBEER: 100/100
BEERADVOCATE: 100/100

breakfast stout**Founders Breakfast Stout**
A silky, creamy, stroke of genius. The “big” stout that got me to appreciate what a higher ABV stout can bring. Chocolate, coffee, roasted malts and the fact that Founders pretty much says I can enjoy this for breakfast, = great beer. Founders might be one of the best things to happen to Eastern Iowa beer shelves because of the amount of great stuff they supply. More from the brewery:

You’ve got to love coffee to truly appreciate this phenomenal brew. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and sweetened imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee. We’re actually not sure if this is some type of coffee cake or a beer. Either way you can drink this ale with a fork. Breakfast Stout has an intense fresh roasted coffee nose toped with a cinnamon colored frothy head that seems to never fade and makes you wish breakfast could last forever.

RATEBEER: 100/100
BEERADVOCATE: 100/100

One more list of 5 to go! Do my first 20 come anywhere close to yours? What have I missed or did I come pretty close to yours? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Toppling Goliath Kentucky Brunch Release Review

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tgToppling Goliath is making me want to pack up and move to Decorah, IA! After another great event and fun-filled weekend in Decorah, it’s pretty safe to say that Toppling Goliath (www.tgbrews.com) is becoming a midwest power in craft beer. Along with being able to hit up the brewery a couple of times, my wife and I got to spend an evening in Decorah checking out local businesses and eating some really good food.

We rolled into Decorah around 5 p.m. and I was just itching for a TG brew, so we headed right to the brewery with the intention of only having 1 beer and then grabbing a bite to eat. Well, after a pseudoSue for me and a rover truck for my wife, I went back to the bar and was going to buy some bombers of Sue, when all of a sudden I saw!…… a beautiful tap handle that can make your mouth water and your legs quiver….that’s right, Mornin’ Delight was just getting tapped! Now, the intent was to have one a go, but when you see something this rare and delicious being tapped in front of you, you must stay and enjoy….. so we did. The deliciousness of this beer has not been overstated at all; breakfast in a bottle folks, all the elements.

la ranaWhen we finally left the taproom we checked into our hotel, Hotel Winneshiek. (www.hotelwinn.com) My wife had read something about the best cook in Decorah being at a restaurant called La Rana. We had a really great meal there and they also had Toppling Goliath on tap. Highly recommend checking this place out on your next visit to Decorah as the burger was phenomenal!

In the morning, we had breakfast at T-Bocks which really impressed me because of them using local eggs, cheese, and meat. Really enjoyable breakfast, and we actually went back for lunch. My one complaint, if I have any, is that they don’t make their own ranch dressing, it’s hidden valley, but oh well.

We were also able to check out the co-op downtown which was really impressive! Great food options and also not a bad beer selection either.

Anyway, we got to the brewery for the Kentucky Brunch release at 7:45 and the people! OH THE PEOPLE! I couldn’t believe the amount for an 8:00 a.m opening! It just goes to show when you have a class act for a business the people are going to flock to you. I got sticker #12o something, and was hoping to get a taste of the Kentucky Brunch, but they were calling out by numbers and only got to the 90s before the keg went dry. Damn! Lesson learned though, get their earlier! As we waited we enjoyed some great brews, talked with some great people, and just enjoyed the day. As we got in line to get our beer it was great to see Clark from Toppling Goliath personally greeting everyone as they left. People from St. Louis, Minneapolis, Indiana, etc. had made the trek for this beer and I am very grateful I was able to get my hands on one!

If you are a craft beer lover, you have to take some time this summer and get to Decorah, the craft beer capital of Iowa!

Toppling Goliath Official Kentucky Brunch Release Details

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kentucky brunchThe following comes from www.tgbrews.com. If it’s anything like the Mornin’ Delight release you are going to have a fantastic time with great people and wonderful beer. Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

Kentucky Brunch Release 2013
Saturday, June 1st
On sale @ 12:00PM
Doors open at 8AM
Line starts on back patio (not in the parking lot)

 

Toppling Goliath Taproom
310 College Dr.
Decorah, IA 52101

Availability: Between 250 – 300 waxed 12oz bottles
Limit: Between 1 and 2 per person (TBD depending on our yield after bottling)
Price: $12/ea CASH ONLY

Kentucky Brunch bottles will have a separate CASH ONLY line. When you show up, you will receive a number. This is your spot in line for when KBBS sales start at 12pm. You are welcome to leave, come inside, or drink on the patio after receiving your number- as long as you are back in line before 12pm.

For those of you who were unable to make it to our last bottle release, we will have a keg of Mornin’ Delight Imperial Stout on tap, a few Assassin bottles available for in-house consumption, and course a few  surprises! Prepare to party.

It is illegal to consume beer anywhere on our premises other than inside the taproom and within the outdoor patio barrier. Don’t be a fool. Stay inside the patio.

They’re At it Again! Toppling Goliath prepping to bottle Kentucky Brunch!

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brunchCraft beer fanatics rejoice as Toppling Goliath brewery out of Decorah, IA is set to start bottling Kentucky Brunch, a stout aged in whiskey barrels with coffee added. TG has been bottling for maybe a month now and the buzz they continue to create with each release has been tremendous. Kentucky Brunch follows Dorothy’s Lager, PseudoSue, Assassin 2013, and Mornin’ Delight releases. Dorothy’s and PseudoSue were released throughout the state and sold out in record time, Assassin and Delight had special releases at the brewery which had a fantastic turnout. If TG is doing a special release along the lines of Mornin’ Delight and Assassin, and you are questioning driving all the way to Decorah for a beer, my advice (I hit up the Delight and Assassin release) is to get there early, have a couple beers, get your bottles, fill a growler, buy a shirt, shoot the shit with fellow beer lovers and have a fantastic time! Don’t hesitate, get in your car and go! Here’s the quick release from the brewery:

Gearing up for another hand bottling!

 

brunch

They're At it Again! Toppling Goliath prepping to bottle Kentucky Brunch!

4 Comments

brunchCraft beer fanatics rejoice as Toppling Goliath brewery out of Decorah, IA is set to start bottling Kentucky Brunch, a stout aged in whiskey barrels with coffee added. TG has been bottling for maybe a month now and the buzz they continue to create with each release has been tremendous. Kentucky Brunch follows Dorothy’s Lager, PseudoSue, Assassin 2013, and Mornin’ Delight releases. Dorothy’s and PseudoSue were released throughout the state and sold out in record time, Assassin and Delight had special releases at the brewery which had a fantastic turnout. If TG is doing a special release along the lines of Mornin’ Delight and Assassin, and you are questioning driving all the way to Decorah for a beer, my advice (I hit up the Delight and Assassin release) is to get there early, have a couple beers, get your bottles, fill a growler, buy a shirt, shoot the shit with fellow beer lovers and have a fantastic time! Don’t hesitate, get in your car and go! Here’s the quick release from the brewery:

Gearing up for another hand bottling!

 

brunch