Sosus | Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Iowa, United States
tgbrews.com
Style: American Double / Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
In his most notable mosaic work, Sosus of Pergamon depicts doves sunning atop a golden chalice. The image was said to be so enticing that real birds flew into it while trying to reach their stone companions. This single-hop showcase is inspired by the beauty of divinity of the Sosus mosaics. Just as the doves discovered their golden nectar, discover the irresistible nature of the Mosaic hop.
100+ IBU
Added by nickapalooza86 on 05-05-2013
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 128 | Ratings: 1,196
3.47/5 rDev -22.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.25
Very unimpressed with this. Chunky with tons of sediment. Smelled and tasted like rotting onion. Really not an enjoyable experience. Reminded me a lot of 2-3 year old Founders Devil Dancer. Not worth the hype.
★ 209 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.25
Very unimpressed with this. Chunky with tons of sediment. Smelled and tasted like rotting onion. Really not an enjoyable experience. Reminded me a lot of 2-3 year old Founders Devil Dancer. Not worth the hype.
★ 209 characters
3.52/5 rDev -21.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.25
L - Dark, hazy, rusty orange with a finger of white, frothy head. Some sediment is sitting at the bottom of my glass too.
S - Interesting combo of black pepper and cedar with some grass.
T - Very odd assortment of fresh mint, wood, and dirty grass. Some slight sap and tree bark and hop resin.
F - Full-bodied without being syrupy or thick. No alcohol presence.
O - If blindfolded, I would not say this used Mosaic hops at all. Very off flavors and I think the faint peach and apricot made it tolerable. I was told it is a fresh bottle and there is no freshness date on the bomber, so I have to it as is, but this was a letdown.
★ 632 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.25
L - Dark, hazy, rusty orange with a finger of white, frothy head. Some sediment is sitting at the bottom of my glass too.
S - Interesting combo of black pepper and cedar with some grass.
T - Very odd assortment of fresh mint, wood, and dirty grass. Some slight sap and tree bark and hop resin.
F - Full-bodied without being syrupy or thick. No alcohol presence.
O - If blindfolded, I would not say this used Mosaic hops at all. Very off flavors and I think the faint peach and apricot made it tolerable. I was told it is a fresh bottle and there is no freshness date on the bomber, so I have to it as is, but this was a letdown.
★ 632 characters
3.65/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Possibly my bottle isn't as fresh as the person I got it from believed it was. I was expecting a bit more from this one.
Kinda resembles Schlafly's T-IPA (mosaic) but not sure if it holds up beside it.
the malt is very subtle and the mosaic hops aren't as brilliant as I know they can be. The fade is musty bitterness.
Excited to maybe try this one again someday. Slightly hard to get a hold of in the first place.
★ 420 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Possibly my bottle isn't as fresh as the person I got it from believed it was. I was expecting a bit more from this one.
Kinda resembles Schlafly's T-IPA (mosaic) but not sure if it holds up beside it.
the malt is very subtle and the mosaic hops aren't as brilliant as I know they can be. The fade is musty bitterness.
Excited to maybe try this one again someday. Slightly hard to get a hold of in the first place.
★ 420 characters
3.65/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This is an Double IPA brewed entirely with Mosaic hops. I'll admit I haven't actually been a big fan of this hop in the past and this one was the test to end all tests for if that held true.
Aroma of lemon, orange peel, pineapple. Sweet marmalade. Appearance is light gold with a fine white head. The flavor rather bitter up front rather than the sweet I was expecting from the aroma. There is a distinct sharp hop clash and bitterness right away in the taste. Fruit flavors of papaya, unripe mango and tart berries as the hop bitterness fades a bit. A hint of sweetness but this beer is dry and bitter, bordering on astringent.
Overall I did like the beer but something about the balance on it didn't hit me right. I would have liked that fruitiness up front more and less astringency. I'm still not completely sold on Mosaic but this is certainly the best beer I've tried so far that features that hop. I know I'm the minority here, so no flame wars please!
★ 962 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This is an Double IPA brewed entirely with Mosaic hops. I'll admit I haven't actually been a big fan of this hop in the past and this one was the test to end all tests for if that held true.
Aroma of lemon, orange peel, pineapple. Sweet marmalade. Appearance is light gold with a fine white head. The flavor rather bitter up front rather than the sweet I was expecting from the aroma. There is a distinct sharp hop clash and bitterness right away in the taste. Fruit flavors of papaya, unripe mango and tart berries as the hop bitterness fades a bit. A hint of sweetness but this beer is dry and bitter, bordering on astringent.
Overall I did like the beer but something about the balance on it didn't hit me right. I would have liked that fruitiness up front more and less astringency. I'm still not completely sold on Mosaic but this is certainly the best beer I've tried so far that features that hop. I know I'm the minority here, so no flame wars please!
★ 962 characters
3.8/5 rDev -15.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
10/12/2013 At work on a weekend
Thanks hyroglyphk!
A: Pale yellow. Or maybe office fluorescent lights don't do it justice.
S: Grass, earthy, maybe pine. No citrus, zest, etc.
T: Good but not great. Can taste the same elements I smell but I like my DIPAs to have a little lemony or grapefruity zest, or pine stickiness. The lack of overly bitter bite at the end is appreciated
M: Close to perfect for a DIPA
O: Just below outstanding based on the scale here. Too many great DIPAs out there to go after the TG hype. Certainly worth it if easily accessible but not something I would seek out.
★ 595 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
10/12/2013 At work on a weekend
Thanks hyroglyphk!
A: Pale yellow. Or maybe office fluorescent lights don't do it justice.
S: Grass, earthy, maybe pine. No citrus, zest, etc.
T: Good but not great. Can taste the same elements I smell but I like my DIPAs to have a little lemony or grapefruity zest, or pine stickiness. The lack of overly bitter bite at the end is appreciated
M: Close to perfect for a DIPA
O: Just below outstanding based on the scale here. Too many great DIPAs out there to go after the TG hype. Certainly worth it if easily accessible but not something I would seek out.
★ 595 characters
3.9/5 rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Picked up a bottle of this beer, reportedly bottled a bit over a week ago, in one of my periodic cross-border pillages into Wisconsin. Great having two states' distribution within 25 minutes of home! 22 oz. bottle split with my wife.
First, very cool, mosaic-like bottle art. Second, the pour is a dark yellow that is unclear; very like when you wiz on the verge of dehydration. Nose is 4/5ths full of grapefruit & fruit: nice, but I didn't touch nirvana.
Sosus tastes like liquified Hawaiin Sweet Bread, which, I'll confess, is a staple in my bread drawer. Tons of light sweetbread appears right away & I fear for the the "IPA" label, but then the hops rappel in to save the style description. A floral bouquet is backed by a whap of citrus & pine. Bitterness is an afterthought, but shows. The best part of the beer is the hop sap that oozes into all the cracks in my oral orifice & sticks all over the place. Drinkability is high. My 11 ounces is already more than half gone.
This is a very good IIPA. We're already planning a camping trip to southeastern Minnesota this summer, with a layover at Toppling Goliath. Looking forward to trying more.
★ 1,155 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Picked up a bottle of this beer, reportedly bottled a bit over a week ago, in one of my periodic cross-border pillages into Wisconsin. Great having two states' distribution within 25 minutes of home! 22 oz. bottle split with my wife.
First, very cool, mosaic-like bottle art. Second, the pour is a dark yellow that is unclear; very like when you wiz on the verge of dehydration. Nose is 4/5ths full of grapefruit & fruit: nice, but I didn't touch nirvana.
Sosus tastes like liquified Hawaiin Sweet Bread, which, I'll confess, is a staple in my bread drawer. Tons of light sweetbread appears right away & I fear for the the "IPA" label, but then the hops rappel in to save the style description. A floral bouquet is backed by a whap of citrus & pine. Bitterness is an afterthought, but shows. The best part of the beer is the hop sap that oozes into all the cracks in my oral orifice & sticks all over the place. Drinkability is high. My 11 ounces is already more than half gone.
This is a very good IIPA. We're already planning a camping trip to southeastern Minnesota this summer, with a layover at Toppling Goliath. Looking forward to trying more.
★ 1,155 characters
3.96/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A great example of highlighting the mosaic hop. Maybe a bit heavy on the malt for my preference and drinks a tad heavy for the style, but very pleased with this one.
★ 166 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A great example of highlighting the mosaic hop. Maybe a bit heavy on the malt for my preference and drinks a tad heavy for the style, but very pleased with this one.
★ 166 characters
4/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pour is golden yellow with a small amount of tight white head. Huge citrus, mango, and grapefruit with a hint of pine resin in back. A faint touch of sweet malt up front. Taste is more grapefruit with a hint of bitterness. Malts are so faint, hops are huge. Resin and grapefruit through the finish. Body is light, very well carbonated and quite dry.
★ 349 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pour is golden yellow with a small amount of tight white head. Huge citrus, mango, and grapefruit with a hint of pine resin in back. A faint touch of sweet malt up front. Taste is more grapefruit with a hint of bitterness. Malts are so faint, hops are huge. Resin and grapefruit through the finish. Body is light, very well carbonated and quite dry.
★ 349 characters
4.04/5 rDev -10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served in a snifter.
Bright gold and copper body, dusting of white foam on the lid, and some decent lacing is found on the side of the glass.
Odors range from grapefruit to green onion, Sosus is a little dank with a sweet citrus under current. And talk about odorous, you can smell this one as soon as you pop the cap!
That same dank profile of earthiness and green onion is present on the palate. However there is also a nice surprise in the way of orange citrus, peppercorns, and a little resin. The orange is what comes through the most in the finish. Seasoned IPA drinkers will not get a proverbial kick in mouth from the bitterness.
Sosus drinks as smooth as honey: creamy and a great feeling of heaviness.
This is yet another TG offering that drinks incredibly easy for a bigger beer. The dank hop profile meshes very well with the tangy and sweet flavors of citrus and pepper. I personally do not rate it higher because it is not where I prefer hop flavors to go.
★ 975 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served in a snifter.
Bright gold and copper body, dusting of white foam on the lid, and some decent lacing is found on the side of the glass.
Odors range from grapefruit to green onion, Sosus is a little dank with a sweet citrus under current. And talk about odorous, you can smell this one as soon as you pop the cap!
That same dank profile of earthiness and green onion is present on the palate. However there is also a nice surprise in the way of orange citrus, peppercorns, and a little resin. The orange is what comes through the most in the finish. Seasoned IPA drinkers will not get a proverbial kick in mouth from the bitterness.
Sosus drinks as smooth as honey: creamy and a great feeling of heaviness.
This is yet another TG offering that drinks incredibly easy for a bigger beer. The dank hop profile meshes very well with the tangy and sweet flavors of citrus and pepper. I personally do not rate it higher because it is not where I prefer hop flavors to go.
★ 975 characters
4.1/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours a medium gold color with a light, creamy white foam head with a very soapy looking lacing ring, and sticky.
S - Tropical citrus fruit, mango, oranges, and a little bit of sweet yeasty character.
T - Pineapple, oranges, passion fruit - Sweet tropical fruit from start to finish with sweet malt underneath. Sweet hoppy from start to finish but eventually starts to get "sugary" after awhile on the very end.
M - Medium body and velvety smooth with a lingering hoppy fruit finish.
O - Definitely worth a try.
★ 519 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours a medium gold color with a light, creamy white foam head with a very soapy looking lacing ring, and sticky.
S - Tropical citrus fruit, mango, oranges, and a little bit of sweet yeasty character.
T - Pineapple, oranges, passion fruit - Sweet tropical fruit from start to finish with sweet malt underneath. Sweet hoppy from start to finish but eventually starts to get "sugary" after awhile on the very end.
M - Medium body and velvety smooth with a lingering hoppy fruit finish.
O - Definitely worth a try.
★ 519 characters
4.1/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A-clear golden color with a nice white head, and good lacing
S-citrus, light tropical fruit, pine, light bready malt, herbal
T-grapefruit, light tropical fruit, herbal notes, pine, light malt, moderate bitter finish
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp and slightly dry
O-a solid DIPA with good flavor, but a little disappointing based on what I was expecting
★ 373 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A-clear golden color with a nice white head, and good lacing
S-citrus, light tropical fruit, pine, light bready malt, herbal
T-grapefruit, light tropical fruit, herbal notes, pine, light malt, moderate bitter finish
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp and slightly dry
O-a solid DIPA with good flavor, but a little disappointing based on what I was expecting
★ 373 characters
4.12/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Hunahpu’s Day 2014, poured into souvenir taster glass on the second run through the TG line after catching the last bit of King Sue. Cloudy light orange body with an off-white head that looks creamy. Aroma is citrus, mango, pine, caramel malt. Taste is mild citrus sweetness complimented by the caramel, moderate citrus peel and pine bitterness. Medium body, oily, creamy, and slick texture, average carbonation, long bitter finish.
★ 444 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Hunahpu’s Day 2014, poured into souvenir taster glass on the second run through the TG line after catching the last bit of King Sue. Cloudy light orange body with an off-white head that looks creamy. Aroma is citrus, mango, pine, caramel malt. Taste is mild citrus sweetness complimented by the caramel, moderate citrus peel and pine bitterness. Medium body, oily, creamy, and slick texture, average carbonation, long bitter finish.
★ 444 characters
4.13/5 rDev -8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had this side by side with Pompeii. The Sosus was 2 MONTHS fresher than the Pompeii, but Pompeii was much much better in my opinion. It was more fruit forward where Sosus was 3x as bitter.
★ 188 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had this side by side with Pompeii. The Sosus was 2 MONTHS fresher than the Pompeii, but Pompeii was much much better in my opinion. It was more fruit forward where Sosus was 3x as bitter.
★ 188 characters
4.13/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
22oz bomber bottle with an awesome label that resembles a stained glass window. This stained glass depicts a frosty pint of beer with the name of the beer and the style of beer in the glass of beer. Above the pint is the Topping Goliath medical cross symbol. Flanking both sides of the stained glass is the Govt. Warning and a paragraph that describes the beer. A brewed date or a bottled date would have been extremely nice.
When poured into a J. Wakefield Snifter, this Midwestern Double IPA was a nice and lightly hazy pale kumquat orange with some faded straw yellow mixed into it. This DIPA was clear of all hop particles. It was just naturally hazy. On top of this pale and faded colored beer was a decent 1/4 of an inch pearl white head of foam. This mediocre sized head of foam had decent retention that left behind a solid white string of rings and a sticky streak of lace here and there.
There was a strong scent of hops in the aroma, but I wouldn't say that the aroma was a complete hop bomb. There was strong almost candy like sweetness that dumbed down the hop aroma a bit. It was a strong citrus hop aroma with a dash of piney hops. Intermingled with the hops was some grapefruit, lemon zest, and a drop of orange. I caught a whiff of bready malts trying to emerge from the background, but that sweetness came in and covered it up.
Now this is more like it! The taste is what I thought the aroma should have been. The hops kicked out the sweetness and they were now allowed to wreak havoc on my tastebuds. The citrus hops were strong, but not offensively strong. Following the hops was a little grapefruit, lemon zest, orange peel, and pine. It was nice of the hops and the citrus fruits to let the bready malts through and stay there for a little bit.
This was a medium to full bodied DIPA with a good amount of carbonation and a full flavored hoppy aftertaste. The aftertaste was chock full of citrus hops, grapefruit, lemon zest, and pine. The hops lingered on for some time in the back of my throat.
Big Thanks to fellow BA mnbuffalo for hooking me up with this small Topping Goliath treat. The color was nice, too sweet in the aroma, but where it mattered most, the taste, this beer delivered. Would I drink it again? I'm good. One bottle is fine.
★ 2,276 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
22oz bomber bottle with an awesome label that resembles a stained glass window. This stained glass depicts a frosty pint of beer with the name of the beer and the style of beer in the glass of beer. Above the pint is the Topping Goliath medical cross symbol. Flanking both sides of the stained glass is the Govt. Warning and a paragraph that describes the beer. A brewed date or a bottled date would have been extremely nice.
When poured into a J. Wakefield Snifter, this Midwestern Double IPA was a nice and lightly hazy pale kumquat orange with some faded straw yellow mixed into it. This DIPA was clear of all hop particles. It was just naturally hazy. On top of this pale and faded colored beer was a decent 1/4 of an inch pearl white head of foam. This mediocre sized head of foam had decent retention that left behind a solid white string of rings and a sticky streak of lace here and there.
There was a strong scent of hops in the aroma, but I wouldn't say that the aroma was a complete hop bomb. There was strong almost candy like sweetness that dumbed down the hop aroma a bit. It was a strong citrus hop aroma with a dash of piney hops. Intermingled with the hops was some grapefruit, lemon zest, and a drop of orange. I caught a whiff of bready malts trying to emerge from the background, but that sweetness came in and covered it up.
Now this is more like it! The taste is what I thought the aroma should have been. The hops kicked out the sweetness and they were now allowed to wreak havoc on my tastebuds. The citrus hops were strong, but not offensively strong. Following the hops was a little grapefruit, lemon zest, orange peel, and pine. It was nice of the hops and the citrus fruits to let the bready malts through and stay there for a little bit.
This was a medium to full bodied DIPA with a good amount of carbonation and a full flavored hoppy aftertaste. The aftertaste was chock full of citrus hops, grapefruit, lemon zest, and pine. The hops lingered on for some time in the back of my throat.
Big Thanks to fellow BA mnbuffalo for hooking me up with this small Topping Goliath treat. The color was nice, too sweet in the aroma, but where it mattered most, the taste, this beer delivered. Would I drink it again? I'm good. One bottle is fine.
★ 2,276 characters
4.15/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
650ml bottle, poured into a Toppling Goliath Teku. Enjoyed on 3/30/14, reviewed from tasting journal.
The beer pours a hazy, opaque, copper color, hues of orange and apricot with a thick, soapy, white head, about a finger high, moderate retention but leaves a lovely wall of lace behind. The aroma is of resinous pine, bitter grapefruit, pineapple, mango, nice tropical brightness, but strong resinous and sappy qualities with some sweet malt and alcohol burn. The flavors are balanced a bit better, tangy and bitter grapefruit citrus, juicy fresh fruit, pineapples, mangos, passionfruit that does bring out some sweetness. Pine, resin and hop spice, earthy and bitter provide a nice counterbalance to the bright fruit flavors, before sweet, rich malt and light alcohol dominate the finish. The mouthfeel is nice, coats well, a little less lively than expected, the body could use a touch more carbonation, it feels thick, but still quite juicy, with a lightly dry finish.
Verdict: A very nice DIPA from Toppling Goliath, a bit earthier than I prefer, but it showcases the Mosaic hop quite well. Unfortunately, mosaic has proven to be a hop I am relatively indifferent about, but this might be the best example of it. A bit more carb could help this one a bit, but it's still a very, very fine beer.
★ 1,301 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
650ml bottle, poured into a Toppling Goliath Teku. Enjoyed on 3/30/14, reviewed from tasting journal.
The beer pours a hazy, opaque, copper color, hues of orange and apricot with a thick, soapy, white head, about a finger high, moderate retention but leaves a lovely wall of lace behind. The aroma is of resinous pine, bitter grapefruit, pineapple, mango, nice tropical brightness, but strong resinous and sappy qualities with some sweet malt and alcohol burn. The flavors are balanced a bit better, tangy and bitter grapefruit citrus, juicy fresh fruit, pineapples, mangos, passionfruit that does bring out some sweetness. Pine, resin and hop spice, earthy and bitter provide a nice counterbalance to the bright fruit flavors, before sweet, rich malt and light alcohol dominate the finish. The mouthfeel is nice, coats well, a little less lively than expected, the body could use a touch more carbonation, it feels thick, but still quite juicy, with a lightly dry finish.
Verdict: A very nice DIPA from Toppling Goliath, a bit earthier than I prefer, but it showcases the Mosaic hop quite well. Unfortunately, mosaic has proven to be a hop I am relatively indifferent about, but this might be the best example of it. A bit more carb could help this one a bit, but it's still a very, very fine beer.
★ 1,301 characters
4.16/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Big thanks to tbadiuk for the bottle!
Pours golden orange in color with a short, fleeting head that leaves spots of lace. Nice big nose of sweet citrus (oranges and tangerines), tropical fruit and hints of pine tar. The taste is more subdued, but with the same suspects. In the forefront still are the sweet citrus and tropical notes, but there is also a decent malty, bready component and a long, bitter finish. The mouthfeel is a bit heavy and maybe slightly under-carbonated. Still a delicious beer!
★ 508 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Big thanks to tbadiuk for the bottle!
Pours golden orange in color with a short, fleeting head that leaves spots of lace. Nice big nose of sweet citrus (oranges and tangerines), tropical fruit and hints of pine tar. The taste is more subdued, but with the same suspects. In the forefront still are the sweet citrus and tropical notes, but there is also a decent malty, bready component and a long, bitter finish. The mouthfeel is a bit heavy and maybe slightly under-carbonated. Still a delicious beer!
★ 508 characters
4.17/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
2015-07-03
22oz bottle provided by the glorious @mr-jj, served in a large mug. 0525 A2 2356 is printed on the bottom. Maybe that means it was bottled near the end of February of this year? If so, not too fresh -- but I have no idea if that's what it means. Use a real date, please. Poured completely; got some little flaky floaters.
Pours brassy-amber. not much head, hazy, and with the aforementioned clumps. Smell is delicious. Tropical fruity. A little grass.
Taste is citrusy (orange, mostly), a little tropical (pineapple, maybe), a little floral sweetness, strong bitter aftertaste. Good balance, tasty beer. Flavor's a little milder than I would expect for a double IPA, but very tasty.
Mouthfeel is medium-thin bodied and slightly slick. Overall, this is a quite good beer. If this one's old...I'd love to try a fresher one.
★ 835 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
2015-07-03
22oz bottle provided by the glorious @mr-jj, served in a large mug. 0525 A2 2356 is printed on the bottom. Maybe that means it was bottled near the end of February of this year? If so, not too fresh -- but I have no idea if that's what it means. Use a real date, please. Poured completely; got some little flaky floaters.
Pours brassy-amber. not much head, hazy, and with the aforementioned clumps. Smell is delicious. Tropical fruity. A little grass.
Taste is citrusy (orange, mostly), a little tropical (pineapple, maybe), a little floral sweetness, strong bitter aftertaste. Good balance, tasty beer. Flavor's a little milder than I would expect for a double IPA, but very tasty.
Mouthfeel is medium-thin bodied and slightly slick. Overall, this is a quite good beer. If this one's old...I'd love to try a fresher one.
★ 835 characters
4.17/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Glass Used: Teku
Appearance: Hazy orange clover honey body with a minimal head. What head was present was a vibrant snow white. Lacing is abundant as you sip it down.
Smell: A nice bouquet of grapefruit and lemon followed by some dank intermingling about. The citrus was immediately noticed when you popped the top.
Taste: Grapefruit, green onion and a wee bit dank are your key players here. I get big sweet orange and some pine resin in the finish.
Mouthfeel: A bit tacky, kinda like finishing a big gulp of fresh OJ. The walls of your mouth and tongue are coated with a bit of stickiness.
Overall: I love Mosaic hopped beers and this is no exception. An excellent offering from TG. I really dig the citrus notes and orange finish in this one. Definitely recommend.
★ 774 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Glass Used: Teku
Appearance: Hazy orange clover honey body with a minimal head. What head was present was a vibrant snow white. Lacing is abundant as you sip it down.
Smell: A nice bouquet of grapefruit and lemon followed by some dank intermingling about. The citrus was immediately noticed when you popped the top.
Taste: Grapefruit, green onion and a wee bit dank are your key players here. I get big sweet orange and some pine resin in the finish.
Mouthfeel: A bit tacky, kinda like finishing a big gulp of fresh OJ. The walls of your mouth and tongue are coated with a bit of stickiness.
Overall: I love Mosaic hopped beers and this is no exception. An excellent offering from TG. I really dig the citrus notes and orange finish in this one. Definitely recommend.
★ 774 characters
4.18/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A huge thanks to Jeff for this one. 750ml bottle into a Blue Point snifter.
Pours a 2 finger fluffy white head with great retention. Lacing is stringy and spotty with excellent stick. Beer is a clear, bright goldenrod. Really nice looking beer.
Nose is outstandingly aromatic. Hints of citrus, papaya, starfruit and a dank, juicy hop bitterness that's really in your face. A bit of sweet and soapiness help to round things out.
Opens citrus, pineapple and starfruit. Tropical fruit hop bitterness in the middle with a touch of cane sugar to balance things out. Finishes more citrus, dank hop bitterness and just a hint of sweetness at the end. Great balance and flavor.
Light to medium bodied with moderate to low carbonation. Smooth and quenching in the mouth and goes down silky and lightly aggressive at the back end. Finishes dry with a sticky, lingering aftertaste. Spot on and very drinkable.
While certainly top notch, this beer isn't as good as the other ratings suggest. Great balance, flavor and feel but there's a certain brightness that's missing to put it over the top. Still, definitely worth having though.
★ 1,129 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A huge thanks to Jeff for this one. 750ml bottle into a Blue Point snifter.
Pours a 2 finger fluffy white head with great retention. Lacing is stringy and spotty with excellent stick. Beer is a clear, bright goldenrod. Really nice looking beer.
Nose is outstandingly aromatic. Hints of citrus, papaya, starfruit and a dank, juicy hop bitterness that's really in your face. A bit of sweet and soapiness help to round things out.
Opens citrus, pineapple and starfruit. Tropical fruit hop bitterness in the middle with a touch of cane sugar to balance things out. Finishes more citrus, dank hop bitterness and just a hint of sweetness at the end. Great balance and flavor.
Light to medium bodied with moderate to low carbonation. Smooth and quenching in the mouth and goes down silky and lightly aggressive at the back end. Finishes dry with a sticky, lingering aftertaste. Spot on and very drinkable.
While certainly top notch, this beer isn't as good as the other ratings suggest. Great balance, flavor and feel but there's a certain brightness that's missing to put it over the top. Still, definitely worth having though.
★ 1,129 characters
4.18/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing this one at AndrewK's tasting.
Pours a murky honey orange with a foamy bone head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, citrus zest, berry, and slight herbal hop aromas. Taste is much the same with honey, citrus zest, and berry flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with really nice citrus and berry forward hop qualities all around.
★ 635 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing this one at AndrewK's tasting.
Pours a murky honey orange with a foamy bone head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, citrus zest, berry, and slight herbal hop aromas. Taste is much the same with honey, citrus zest, and berry flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with really nice citrus and berry forward hop qualities all around.
★ 635 characters
4.2/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Huge thank you to Steasy66 for this treat.
Appearance. Pours yellow gold with a very light haze. Topped with 1.5 fingers of white head that leaves some thick lace behind.
Smell. Big grapefruit and lemon rind, tropical fruits and some grainy light malts, a touch of cedar and honey.
Taste. Again, big grapefruit and other citrus fruit, some papaya, some woody pine and light grainy malts (a little on the sweet side). Good bitterness in the finish but not overbearing.
Mouthfeel. Medium+ body, below medium carbonation.
Overall. Very nice stuff. Will satisfy your hop cravings.
★ 583 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Huge thank you to Steasy66 for this treat.
Appearance. Pours yellow gold with a very light haze. Topped with 1.5 fingers of white head that leaves some thick lace behind.
Smell. Big grapefruit and lemon rind, tropical fruits and some grainy light malts, a touch of cedar and honey.
Taste. Again, big grapefruit and other citrus fruit, some papaya, some woody pine and light grainy malts (a little on the sweet side). Good bitterness in the finish but not overbearing.
Mouthfeel. Medium+ body, below medium carbonation.
Overall. Very nice stuff. Will satisfy your hop cravings.
★ 583 characters
4.2/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bomber shared by Doopie a few weeks back, and originally brought to us by youbrewidrink. Cheers for the share guys! Did this one and King Sue together.
From a bomber into a snifter
Mosaic hop solo-show
APPEARANCE: Same but a touch darker. Hazy gamboge orange. Cut and paste most.
SMELL: Citrus, lemon zest with grapefruit notes, some light pine qualities and some definite spiciness on the nose. Enticing. Lightly peppery.
TASTE: Lots of citrus and honeydew melon sweetness up front, with grapefruit and bitter hops at the swallow. Big and lingering finish of melon, grapefruit, bitter hops, piney bitterness and some light spices as well. Lots of pine and spicy hops linger on the palate.
PALATE: Same as above. Cut and paste.
OVERALL: This and King Sue are of completely equal quality. This one is flavorful and enjoyable and the mosaic hops add a certain piney and spicy component that was a nice touch. For myself, I think I preferred the straight up citra bomb that was King Sue, but these are both top class IPA’s. Thanks again for the share on these gents. Recommended.
★ 1,089 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bomber shared by Doopie a few weeks back, and originally brought to us by youbrewidrink. Cheers for the share guys! Did this one and King Sue together.
From a bomber into a snifter
Mosaic hop solo-show
APPEARANCE: Same but a touch darker. Hazy gamboge orange. Cut and paste most.
SMELL: Citrus, lemon zest with grapefruit notes, some light pine qualities and some definite spiciness on the nose. Enticing. Lightly peppery.
TASTE: Lots of citrus and honeydew melon sweetness up front, with grapefruit and bitter hops at the swallow. Big and lingering finish of melon, grapefruit, bitter hops, piney bitterness and some light spices as well. Lots of pine and spicy hops linger on the palate.
PALATE: Same as above. Cut and paste.
OVERALL: This and King Sue are of completely equal quality. This one is flavorful and enjoyable and the mosaic hops add a certain piney and spicy component that was a nice touch. For myself, I think I preferred the straight up citra bomb that was King Sue, but these are both top class IPA’s. Thanks again for the share on these gents. Recommended.
★ 1,089 characters
4.2/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Hazy light orange color, creamy head, but doesn't really linger
A: Juicy Fruit, mango
T: Fruity sweetness up front, grapefruit pith bitterness follows, finishes slightly spicy with mild bitter, mildly dry
M: medium bodied, not chewy
O: Very balanced overall, flavorful and finishes well
★ 289 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Hazy light orange color, creamy head, but doesn't really linger
A: Juicy Fruit, mango
T: Fruity sweetness up front, grapefruit pith bitterness follows, finishes slightly spicy with mild bitter, mildly dry
M: medium bodied, not chewy
O: Very balanced overall, flavorful and finishes well
★ 289 characters
4.21/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a Beautiful hazy golden color with tons of lacing on the side of glass as you drink this, smell was tropical with white fruit, tropical and citrus. Taste is delicious a great blend of fruity hops with papaya , peach, pear,mango, and citrus, medium carbonation with little bitterness , its highly drinkable and tasty
★ 322 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a Beautiful hazy golden color with tons of lacing on the side of glass as you drink this, smell was tropical with white fruit, tropical and citrus. Taste is delicious a great blend of fruity hops with papaya , peach, pear,mango, and citrus, medium carbonation with little bitterness , its highly drinkable and tasty
★ 322 characters
Sosus from Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
4.49
out of 5
based on 1,196 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Pours an orange-amber color with a smaller, bubbly head on top.
Smells or blood orange, peach, zingy lemon rind and a pleasant dankness, coated up by toffee malts. Herbal qualities turn more present among flowery biscuits, well balanced by juicy, ripe exotic fruits.
Has a medium carbonation with a medium body to it, revealing an intense clash between hops an malts on the tongue. Its mouthfeel remains pleasantly creamy though, leaving all nuances of the beer detectable, due to soothing yeast.
Tastes of an initial aqueous softness, establishing the beers great mouthfeel from the kickoff, together with comforting toffee malts. In a split second malts turn absurdly sweet, while the hops try to establish a working balance by introducing garden herbs and dry lime. Finds its peak right after the swallow by producing a dough coated, piercing toffee sweetness, while overloading the palate with bitter hops at the same time. Finishes surprisingly clean, leaving behind its staggering sweetness, now focussing on lemon, prickly kiwi and juicy blood orange.
Almost overpowers my tastebuds, once the beers piercing sweetness gets established from out of nowhere, while hops accept the challenge by creating an equally powerful bitterness. This misses certainly some balance to me, to form a pleasant drinking experience. Usually I would assume a dipa being ruled by its hops, in this particular bottle its been vice versa.
★ 1,428 characters