Fire, Skulls & Money
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soul on fire, to my desire. For that’s been said, for what’s been done. As i drink this, in feel I’ve won. Ask yourself, your deepest thing. Even more, beyond the wildest dream. Hell, let’s go. Hell, I’ve been here before. Now as I sip tbis, like Gretzky, I’ve scored.

 

Second Review 2/15/2023 (canned 1/27/23, 2 weeks ago)

Appearance: Pours a completely hazy (5-10% clarity) medium and bright orange color with a massive white head. SRM of 8. (4.25)

Aroma: Strong aromas of grapefruit, citrus, pine, gooseberry and white grapes. Dank berries and dank orange underneath. (4.25)

Flavor: Strong and juicy flavors of grapefruit and orange citrus flower, some hints of white grape and gooseberry with grapefruit. Balanced by a dank melon and berry flavors. Some pine within, but ultimately finishes juicy. Somewhat clean. (4.50)

Feel: Medium-bodied, strong carbonation. Light pine bite. Clean. Almost too clean. (4.25)

Compared to Half Acre Double Daisy Cutter Nelson 2/2023: Pours lighter, larger head. Stronger aromas. More grapefruit, orange citrus rind, grape and gooseberry. Less resinous orange, peach, berries. More complex and juicy. Winner: Toppling Goliath

Compared to TG King Sue 3/2023: Pours darker, stronger head. Stronger aromas. More white grape and vinous notes with citrus zest. Less creamy orange and flower. More pine and juicier though. Fire Skull and Money may be better.
4/2023: More complex and juicy flavors. Less creamy.

Compared to Phase 3 DDH Feline Fine 3/2023: Pours lighter, similar head, stronger aromas. More orange citrus, flower, zest, pine. Less sweet peach, pineapple, papaya, mango. Dryer, cleaner. Winner: TG

Compared to TG Radiant Haze 3/2023: Pours similar, milder aromas. More orange citrus rind, pineapple zest, melon, and herbal/pine bite.

Compared to Electric Dino Boogie 3/2023: Pours a hazier and murkier color, similar head. Milder aromas. More orange citrus flower, grapefruit, dank herbal notes, vinous grape, and bright pine. Less sweet peach, cantaloupe, pineapple.
4/2023: More grapefruit, citrus, white wine and grape flavors. Less peach, pineapple, sweet orange flower and cantaloupe. More dry with a bite.

Compared to The Veil Mountain³ 3/2023: Pours similar, stronger head. Stronger aromas. More orange flower, citrus, pineapple flavor. Less grapefruit and vinous notes. Less of a malt body. More pine, but less bitter.

to Black Stack Purely Decorative 4/2023: Pours darker, stronger head. Similar aromas. More floral orange citrus, grape, peach. Less ripe tangerine, mango, and lemon. Lighter and cleaner.

to Southern Grist Hoppy Timbs 4/2023: Pours lighter and more pale. Stronger head. Stronger aromas. More orange and flower. Less earthy tangerine and nectarine.

to TG Haze Bus 5/2023: Similar pour. Stronger aromas. More grapefruit citrus and pine. Less juicy cantaloupe melon and mango. Slightly more crisp citrus and less sweet juice. Winner: Fire

Overall: A nice and complex NEIPA here. Has some Toppling Goliath bitter grapefruit and orange flower flavors balanced by some sweet grape and gooseberry, but also white grape and grapefruit brightness. Juicy, but the floral and and vinous notes clean the palate and give a slight bite. Sort of like King Sue Citra meets some new New Zealand and Galaxy flavors. May be the best modern TG brew to date. (Rating: 4.45)
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Original Review:
Appearance: Pours a hazy and cloudy orange-pineapple color. A strong white head that fades rather quickly
Aroma: Strong complex aromas of orange citrus, pineapple, with bitter lychee, raisin, gooseberry, and pine. Light and not earthy. It has the classic tropical citra and mosaic quality, but Nelson hops provide a nice bitter lychee, raisin and gooseberry aroma.
Taste: Strong flavors of peach, pineapple, mango but with the Nelson flavors of raisin, gooseberry, & lychee. All fruit. Some nice florality. Pale malts if any. Very juicy. A nice bitter berry & pine finish. I don't detect much green grape or wine.
Feel: Smooth, but not creamy like many NEIPAs. It retains the crispness and provides a nice bitter end. It's juicy, but finishes rather bitter. The body is surprisingly smooth though.

Overall: Such a complex IPA and the reputation reflects that. The Nelson hops are a nice addition to the citrus of the rest. It provides a nice lychee, gooseberry, and raisin flavor that coincides well with the bitterness and makes for a nice addition to the pine. The complex flavor profile due to the Nelson hops is what makes this beer work. I hope Toppling Goliath continues to set the bar with it's flavor profiles.

 

 

 

 

 

The pour has a thick head that is slightly yellow. The aroma isn't as strong as I would have expected, but the floral notes shine through more than the citrus. The taste is nice. Its piney and acidic with hints of juiciness. The feel is a little thicker than expected with quick and prickly carbonation.

This is on par with the other TG hazy IPAs. To me, it' is just not as balanced to perfection as the single hop TG beers. However, This is still a great beer especially if you like hop bouquets. It's a TG beer, just try it.

 

 

Shared can at local tasting. Cloudy yellow colour, full of yeast, white head. Intense aroma of piney and grapefruity hops. Intense hoppy flavour too, very bitter. Over the top for me.