Term Oil Vanilla, Pistachio & Granola
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

On tap at the brewery yesterday; tried side by side with the KBBS.

The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with fairly decent head retention and lacing. This is yet another ba stout from TG that has the look of one that has seen some considerable barrel aging. On the nose, there's a lot going on, as I get considerable chocolate, vanilla, coffee, bourbon and a cherry pistachio aroma. This beer smells great, but as good as it smells it tastes even better. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, but the bourbon and cherry pistachio flavor really impart a lovely melange of flavor. Mouthfeel is fairly full, but unlike the KBBS, this beer is very light on its feet and is very easy drinking. What's interesting is that you do get something of a granola flavor in the flavor profile, which only adds to the beer's enjoyability. Alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile in this well crafted beer, and this sweet beer is ultimately all too easy to drink.

Really impressed by this beer, and thought it actually better than its more famous cousin (the KBBS). This is great stuff!

 

 

On tap. Dark brown, black color.

Thick, rich, warming. Tons of bourbon. Vanilla and cake batter. Not sure I’d guess pistachio or granola. Just tastes like a solid BA stout. Has a cola/dr pepper finish.

 

 

 

Term Oil Vanilla, Pistachio & Granola pours black with little head. THe aroma is sweet, creamy vanilla, blending well with dark smoky, rich chocolate cereal and a hint of salt. The flavor is the same, very rich feel, very rich flavor. Overall, a very amazing stout.

 

 

When hitting the road, there's a need that's bigger than just oil. We're going to need snacks as well. Toppling Goliath might be looking to get out of Iowa and they're going to need a beer worthy trail mix to go with them. Chocked full of pistachio, oats, honey, vanilla and a thirst for stout, this is a road trip for the palate like no other.

Jet black and pouring like tar, the Vanilla Pistachio & Granola version of Term Oil releases a deep and dark tarnish mocha froth that dissolves soon after the pour to render its appearance as still and quiet with espresso likeness. As its decadent scent of chocolate, coffee, cream and nuttiness rise toward the nose, full impressions of granola paired with coffee and kahlua take a stronghold on the early palate. Savory and sweet on the tongue, its rich and viscous sweetness starts with blackstrap molasses as it invites complementary malt flavors of toffee, heavy cream, vanilla, brown sugar and honey to further seduce the tastebuds.

As the beer's more roasty edges give the sweet malts a more robust tone, there's a sweeter espresso taste that comes with dark, bittersweet chocolate, burnt cream and roasted nuttiness to remind the middle palate that there's still a stout supporting all those granola flavors. A moderately bitter balance steps in late to take an edge off of the residual sweetness and to give the roasted flavors more of a dark coffee impression.

Lavishly full, pleasantly cloying and celebrating the mouthfeel of cake batter, the heavy beer is a slow sipping affair, relegated to after dinner digestives. Don't look at it to pair with dessert but rather to replace dessert altogether. Finishing decidedly sweet granola flavors extend with an infinite malty sweet taste with those trail mix nuances, and kahlua and bourbon warmth in tow.

500ml bottle. No dating information found. Purchased at the brewery.
Black colored body. No real head upon pouring. Continuing is a very thin ring. Oily sheen left behind.
Aroma has a lot of bourbon barrel that infuses with the sweet vanilla and sugary graham cracker. The nutty pistachio mixes in as sort of balance on the sweetness.
Taste is full, with sweet vanilla and the vanilla from the oak bourbon barrel. The granola is also sweet but introduces some earthy and nutty flavor. The pistachio arrives late with its earthy nut essence. The aftertaste fades away from the sweet emphasis and ends with a earthy, nutty, and chocolate tone.
Mouth feel is thick and sticky. Higher ABV% is warming but well hidden as to mouth and tongue burn. Supportive carbonation.
Taste profile is long lasting and progresses from sweet alcohol to earthy nuts and grains. The flavors at the end are so enticing as to hurry up the sipping process. The ending flavors are confectionery like but acknowledges the high ABV%.

Sample at de Garde 10th Anniversary. Black, oily pour, razor thin beige head. Aroma is sweet and malty, vanilla. Taste is roasty malts, vanilla, other adjuncts appear as accents to the main flavors. Thick, smooth and plenty warm.