Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout Coming To Cans

Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout

Toppling Goliath is bringing something unusual to its stout lineup, and this one has an ingredient that you probably wouldn’t expect to find in a barrel-aged imperial stout. The Decorah, Iowa brewery is working with Underberg, the well-known German herbal bitters, for a new beer called Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout, and this sounds like a pretty interesting experiment.

This isn’t simply another bourbon barrel-aged stout with a little extra vanilla or chocolate thrown into the mix. Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout is being described as a barrel-aged imperial stout that incorporates the unmistakable herbal complexity of Underberg, giving this upcoming release a flavor direction that could separate it from the usual lineup of big, dark specialty beers.

And it’s a big one.

The new Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout will arrive at a substantial 14% ABV and will be packaged in 12-ounce cans. That alcohol content puts it firmly into the territory of strong imperial stouts, where rich malt character, barrel influence and additional ingredients have plenty of room to make an impression.

But the Underberg connection is what really gets my attention with Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout.

Underberg brings an unusual twist to imperial stout

Underberg is a German herbal digestive bitters brand with a distinctive history and a recognizable flavor identity. It is traditionally associated with small, individually packaged bottles and a proprietary blend of herbs and botanical ingredients.

The product has been around since 1846, and its strong herbal character is a big part of what makes it recognizable.

Putting that ingredient into a barrel-aged imperial stout is an interesting move. Most specialty stout releases tend to focus on familiar additions such as coffee, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, nuts or various dessert-inspired ingredients. Underberg takes things in a different direction, potentially bringing herbal bitterness, botanical complexity and another layer of flavor to an already substantial beer.

That could make for something quite different.

The challenge will be getting the balance right. A barrel-aged imperial stout already has plenty going on, with roasted malt, dark grain character and whatever flavors the aging process contributes. Adding an herbal ingredient means the brewery has another element to manage, and it will be interesting to see how prominently Underberg comes through in the finished beer.

A serious 14% ABV barrel-aged stout

At 14% ABV, Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout isn’t being positioned as an everyday drinking stout. This is a big imperial stout, and the alcohol content suggests a substantial beer intended for people who appreciate stronger specialty releases.

Barrel aging can add another dimension to that experience. Depending on the barrels used and the time spent aging, wood and spirit character can introduce additional layers that work alongside the roasted malt and other ingredients.

Toppling Goliath has considerable experience in this area, and its reputation for barrel-aged imperial stouts makes this a brewery well suited to experimenting with an unusual ingredient combination.

The Underberg addition also raises some interesting questions about the final flavor profile. Will the herbal character sit quietly in the background, or will it become a defining part of the beer? Will the stout’s malt richness soften the bitters, or will the botanical character provide a sharper contrast?

Those are the details I’m looking forward to learning.

Coming to 12-ounce cans

Another interesting detail is the packaging. Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout will be packaged in 12-ounce cans, a format that makes sense for a 14% ABV specialty imperial stout.

A smaller can is a practical package for a beer this strong, particularly when the intention is to enjoy it slowly rather than drink it like a traditional session beer.

It also gives Toppling Goliath another opportunity to introduce a distinctive specialty stout to its customers without relying on the larger bottle formats often associated with barrel-aged releases.

The brewery has developed a strong following among craft beer enthusiasts who look for unusual ingredients, ambitious brewing projects and limited specialty releases. Underberg Reserve Stout certainly fits that general interest.

Another interesting experiment from Toppling Goliath

Toppling Goliath has never been a brewery that needs to stick exclusively to traditional beer recipes. Its barrel-aged stout program has helped establish its reputation, and this new Underberg Reserve Stout appears to continue that interest in pushing familiar styles in different directions.

The use of a digestive bitters brand in an imperial stout is unusual enough to get attention, but the real test will be what happens when the beer reaches the glass.

There is plenty of potential here. Rich stout character, barrel influence and the herbal complexity of Underberg could create a combination that is quite different from the usual pastry stout or bourbon barrel-aged release.

Of course, we’ll have to wait for the actual tasting notes before deciding exactly how successful that combination is.

For now, Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout is coming in strong at 14% ABV and will be packaged in 12-ounce cans. Release timing, pricing and distribution details have not yet been announced.

This is one I’ll be watching.

Stay tuned for more information, including release details and the first official herbal tasting notes, as Toppling Goliath prepares to bring Underberg Reserve Stout to craft beer fans.

Label Text Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout:

Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout

• Beer: Toppling Goliath Underberg Reserve Stout
• Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
• Location: Decorah, Iowa
• Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
• Special Ingredient: Underberg herbal bitters
• Alcohol: 14% ABV
• Package: 12 FL. OZ. cans

A decadent barrel-aged imperial stout with notes of rich chocolate, freshly roasted espresso, and the unmistakable herbal complexity of Underberg. Hints of oak, and vanilla give way to notes of alpine herbs, mint, and warm spices. The finish is bold and bittersweet, balancing intense stout character with Underberg’s signature taste.

Related Toppling Goliath news from mybeerbuzz.com:
Toppling Goliath has continued to give craft beer fans plenty to watch, particularly with its barrel-aged imperial stout program and specialty releases. Be sure to check out our coverage of Toppling Goliath Eighty Twenty Coming to 16-oz Cans, a particularly interesting stout blend combining Irish stout and barrel-aged imperial stout, as well as Toppling Goliath SR-71, Sosus, Kentucky Brunch, Hopsmack! and Twisted Galaxy. You can also read about Toppling Goliath and Fidens Brewing Teaming Up for Jasper, and Toppling Goliath Announcing Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout Bottle Release Details.

These stories offer a look at the brewery’s ongoing specialty beer releases, barrel-aged stout projects and collaborations. Keep checking MyBeerBuzz for additional Toppling Goliath announcements, new can releases and specialty stout coverage.

About Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company has become one of the most recognizable names in American craft beer, particularly among drinkers who appreciate hop-forward IPAs, barrel-aged imperial stouts and ambitious specialty releases. Located in Decorah, Iowa, the brewery has developed an international following by combining small-batch brewing roots with an interest in producing distinctive beers that stand out in an increasingly crowded craft beer market.

The beginning of Toppling Goliath

Toppling Goliath was founded in 2009 by Clark and Barbara Lewey in Decorah, Iowa. The brewery grew out of the founders’ enthusiasm for homebrewing and their desire to bring distinctive craft beer to northeast Iowa.

The original operation was much smaller than the brewery visitors know today, but the philosophy behind the business was ambitious from the beginning. Its familiar motto, “Big Beers in Small Batches,” reflects the approach that helped establish the company.

Rather than simply producing traditional beer styles, Toppling Goliath developed an interest in creating beers with bold flavors, distinctive hop profiles and complex ingredients.

That approach quickly attracted attention from craft beer enthusiasts outside Iowa, and the brewery gradually developed a reputation that extended well beyond its home state.

Building a reputation for exceptional IPAs

One of the biggest reasons for Toppling Goliath’s success has been its hop-forward beer program.

The brewery became particularly well known for beers such as Pseudo Sue, an American pale ale featuring Citra hops, and its extensive collection of double IPAs and other specialty hop-driven releases.

Pseudo Sue helped introduce many craft beer drinkers to the brewery. Its tropical fruit character, hop aroma and approachable strength made it an important part of the Toppling Goliath lineup.

The brewery also developed a following for more powerful IPAs, including limited releases and specialty collaborations that attract considerable attention among enthusiasts.

Toppling Goliath’s interest in hops extends beyond simply producing bitter beers. Its brewing program explores different hop varieties, aroma profiles and combinations that can deliver citrus, tropical fruit, floral and other distinctive characteristics.

This willingness to experiment has helped the brewery establish a recognizable identity in the American IPA category.

The barrel-aged stout program

While Toppling Goliath is widely recognized for its IPAs, its barrel-aged imperial stouts have become another major part of its identity.

The brewery’s Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout, commonly known as KBBS, is among its most recognizable specialty releases. The beer helped establish Toppling Goliath as a serious name in the world of high-end imperial stout and barrel-aged craft beer.

Barrel aging allows the brewery to develop additional layers of flavor through the interaction of beer, wood and the previous contents of the barrels. Bourbon barrels, for example, can contribute notes associated with vanilla, oak, caramel and whiskey.

Combined with the roasted malt character and substantial body of an imperial stout, these influences can create a particularly rich drinking experience.

The brewery has continued to explore different barrel-aged recipes and specialty variations, giving collectors and craft beer enthusiasts additional reasons to follow its release announcements.

Underberg Reserve Stout is an interesting extension of this brewing tradition because it brings a distinctive herbal bitters ingredient into the barrel-aged imperial stout category.

Creativity and experimentation

Toppling Goliath’s brewing philosophy is built around the idea that craft beer should offer something worth discovering.

The brewery produces a rotating selection of beers throughout the year, giving its brewing team opportunities to explore different ingredients, brewing techniques and beer styles.

That includes traditional lagers and pale ales, hop-forward IPAs, imperial stouts, barrel-aged beers and specialty releases.

Collaborations have also played a role in the brewery’s development. Working with other craft breweries allows Toppling Goliath to explore new recipes and exchange ideas with other brewers.

The result is a lineup that regularly gives customers something new to look for.

The Decorah brewery and taproom

The brewery’s home is in Decorah, Iowa, where its production facility and taproom serve as an important destination for craft beer enthusiasts.

Located at 1600 Prosperity Road, the brewery features a full-service taproom with food, rotating beers and opportunities for visitors to experience the brand directly.

Visitors can explore a variety of Toppling Goliath releases, enjoy food and participate in brewery events. Brewery tours also provide an opportunity to learn more about the brewing operation and how the company’s beers are produced.

The taproom is an important part of the brewery’s connection to its local community, even as its beer distribution has expanded into markets throughout the United States.

Toppling Goliath today

Since opening in 2009, Toppling Goliath has grown from a small Iowa brewing operation into a nationally recognized craft brewery.

Its reputation for hop-forward IPAs and barrel-aged imperial stouts continues to attract attention, while its rotating specialty releases keep the brewery relevant among enthusiasts who enjoy discovering something new.

The combination of established beers, experimental recipes and limited specialty releases gives Toppling Goliath plenty of room to keep developing its lineup.

Underberg Reserve Stout is another example of that approach. By combining a barrel-aged imperial stout with the distinctive herbal character of Underberg, the brewery is taking a familiar specialty beer category in a different direction.

For craft beer fans, that is part of the appeal of following Toppling Goliath. There is always the possibility of an unexpected ingredient, an unusual collaboration or another ambitious stout appearing in the lineup.

For more information about the brewery, its beers, taproom, events and upcoming releases, visit the official website:

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company – Official Website

Toppling Goliath remains one of Iowa’s best-known craft brewing success stories, with a reputation built on big beers, creative brewing and a willingness to experiment.

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