Holidotz
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Been to Iowa a bunch of times, traded for a King Sue years ago while at the Other Half line share, but this was the first beer from these guys that I bought via retail. It wasn't in the Hawkeye State, as I found this late last year at the Total Wine in Totowa, but this was quite the surprise both to obtain and to have. Yes, this was that good and so much fun to rate, as it was easily one of the better examples of its style that I've ever had.

Such a lovely appearance to this, as the liquid was a muted cranberry with a ton of froth topping it off. The head took ages to settle with the lacing left behind behind quite extensive and spotty. Loads of apple orchard, cranberry, and cinnamon in the nose as the taste felt like pure autumn, down to an extensive woodsy undertone. Very little tartness here as this was quite crisp, sweet,and just a tad sugary with the spice being on par with all of the other fruit present.

Not a lot of beers can handle the transition from season to season but I could easily see this being something I'd want to have right before Christmas, when all of the holiday offerings and heavier fare flood the shelves. Some fruitcake, bread, and dough gave this enough body as the alcohol was low enough to warrant another can - if I had one around. Couldn't read the canning date on the bottom, as it was smeared but no matter - this tasted and felt great enough to put a smile on my face. Props to Toppling Goliath for this winner of a brew that was easily worth finding in these parts!

 

 

Look: It pours dark salmon with a pine head. head retention is very good.

Smell: It has cranberry and apple aromas up front. There is a touch of sourness to it.

Taste: It is quite sweet with the flavor being like apple pie with cranberries. There are some cinnamon elements.

Feel: It has a medium light body with a sweet aftertaste.

Overall, I didn't really catch any of the lager flavors or hops, but I do like the beer.

16oz can poured into a snifter

A- pours a hazy ruby purple color with a one finger foamy light pink head that reduces to a ring

S- Smells of crackery malt, cinnamon and light undertones of apple and cranberry

T- slightly tart up front with a nice cranberry note, followed by sweet notes of red apple and light cinnamon spice. The finish gives some toasted malt with a linger of tart cranberry and sweet apple

M- light-medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel and crisp finish

O- well balanced with sweet and tart and super drinkable. Well done

Draft at ashland ale house
Creamy foamy pink head with fair retention, sticky lacing, hazy auburn to slight pinkish color

Nose mostly doughy cereal grainy sweet malt, straw, lager malt, then cranberry kicks in, tart cranberry juice

Taste starts with the mildly tart cranberry, juicy cranberry, with fair lager behind that, doughy cereal grainy malt, straw, mild bitterness from herbal hop and maybe the cranberry, mild tart but dry finish

Mouth is med to lighter bod, med to lighter carb, soft lager

Overall surprisingly not bad, plenty of base lager, and nice level of cranberry

 

I guess I was expecting beer. Instead, I got a fruit juice with nice beer like body and foam but over the top cinnamon. The rest falls in line with an apple pie and lots of cranberry. Way too over the top with the "holiday" flavors.

Yet in spite of that I have considered the description in the rating and it scored higher than my personal preference. And some other beers using the same holiday flavors are way better to me. This is more like a kids juice bag to me than a beer, but a well done juice bag, just not my bag.

Edit: This beer is worse as I struggle to get through the pack. Revised the taste and overall score to reflect that.

Pours a medium-dark red with a foamy pink head that lasts quite a while. Aroma of spices and cranberries. Taste is tangy fruit juice, slightly bitter at the finish. A festive brew for the holidays.

Pours clear red with a thick pink head, good retention and lacing. Aroma is cinnamon forward, hints of apple pie. Flavor follows the nose, sweet apple pie with a hint of tartness, presumably cranberry. Feel is light bodied, well carbonated. Overall, interesting holiday beer.

Just as described. Not much of a smell, interesting red body. Taste is borderline sour but a delectable combination of apple and cinnamon. Very delicious.

 

This was a fun one. Beautiful clear red color. Starts with the taste of apples, then followed by cranberries and finally the cinnamon comes through. The apple flavor is like green apples, adding a little sourness to it. Cool beer !

 

I was actually very impressed by this. Most pumpkin ales hit you over the head with the cinnamon but in this cranberry apple lager it's somewhat muted and reminds me of Great lakes Christmas ale but fruity. Vanilla and tart cranberry are what mostly I get but it never gets overbearing on each aspect. Taking a big gulp does get a little overwhelming as the flavors get more tannic but if you sip it and enjoy it it's quite an exceptional holiday Brew. Worth picking up!

 

If you're looking for a fun, not too sweet holiday brew - this is it! Fruit and spice flavors are not overwhelming or artificial tasting. Nice warm, toasty, lager finish.

 

 

16 oz. Can
PKG 09/20/22

Thought I was going to miss out on this one. Glad I found this can.

Poured into a Tree House glass a very nice hazy dark purplish/red color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy two-finger plus off-white head, with a very nice medium size island, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, with a pretty nice cranberry, apples, cinnamon, vanilla, some tartness. The taste is very nice malty, with a very nice cranberry, apples, cinnamon, vanilla, some pretty nice tart/sour. Medium body, ABV hidden very nicely, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, this is a very tasty beer. Was very surprised with this one.