Toppling Goliath Brewery appreciation thread...

Sounds like setting up pre-trades is a great idea.

 

It looks as if Sosus was bottled today and is for sale at the taproom

 

Is this a Mike batch or some other brewer? They said it was the "dankest" batch yet making me think someone else brewed it...but the fact that it didn't end up being mosaic regifter makes me think it was Mike...

 

I don't doubt any of that, seems like it should be simple, just that I don't know about the details myself so I can't specifically say which way is best. I also come from working at a business where we do WAY too much too adhere to customers' demands, so when I see situations like this with people and their complaining behavior (not saying that's you, nor that the complaints aren't somewhat valid...it's just the manner in which some go about it), my first thought is often for people to relax a bit. I didn't mind spending the time (and failing ) to try for a ticket. Hopefully I score next time...or for Black Gold...and if not, I've got plenty of beer here to drink!

 

The last time Mike left, TG was absolutely not prepared. If (lol) he's gone this time, they're much better situated to produce IPAs. From what I understand, the King double batch and last Pompeii (that received rave reviews from a few guys I trust) were Flenker's. TG can brew IPAs without Mike now. Even great ones. Quite possibly better in some folks opinions. Big stouts? No clue. Anyone know when was Term Oil was brewed?

 

Good question (being serious) and I'm thinking non-Mike batch but could be wrong. I'm heading up tomorrow and will make sure to complain if it's not up to par and start the TG sucks without Mike thread/comments. Although Pompeii is tasting great right now so hopefully Sosus is ok.

 

I've heard through the grapevine (we all know how reliable that is) that term oil was brewed during Mike's previous hiatus. I've also heard from multiple sources that this round of MD was not brewed by Mike. It's sort of weird they haven't said anything yet, he's been gone over a month now, by all indications. Maybe the plan is to keep things quiet until the big stouts are released?

I'm personally of the mind that they'll continue to brew amazing beer without Mike. Yes, they were his recipes and he's the master, but if you watch someone brew the same beer a few times you should be able to figure it out. Clark and co. have been watching Mike brew MD, KBBS, & Assassin for what, 5 years now? Blending and new recipes is where I'd imagine they'll struggle.

 

I have also heard that this new round of MD was not brewed by Mike...only time will tell. I don't brew my own beer but maybe it is as easy as watching a few times and then you are able to brew exact replicas

 

"Watching" seems like a weird strategy to use when dealing with a head brewer that walked off the job 3 months-1.5 years prior. I'd think Clark would have his team a tad more involved than that given the history.

 

Man, I'm not sure what I did to upset you, but it sounds like I owe you a beer or two!

Time for some fun facts:

There's only a handful of batches in the past few years that I've taken from start to finish. Same thing with anyone at Toppling Goliath... or almost any other brewery. It's not a one-man show. It requires a team. I've had multiple teams in the past that I taught everything from start to finish as well (they did a great job too!). That's how it works! There's a lot more to running a brewery than just making a batch of beer. I had my head down with back-breaking labor for the first few years of the company's history to help do my part to get it off the ground. Thankfully, we had a small team back then, but we continued building teams and growing thanks to those team members. Although, really, it was due to people having interest in drinking those beers. Believe it or not, people didn't like haze in pseudoTsu in 2011; Mornin' Delight and Kentucky Brunch sat on tap for over a month each back then! Interesting times!

The beer examples you list above make me smile, to be honest. If you think "Flenker" or "I" are responsible for any of those batches, you're living outside reality. Toppling Goliath made those batches of beer! Brewing may be my love and passion, but so are other aspects of helping a brewery and team grow and be set up for success. That means certain quality and supply levels of raw materials. That means methods and procedures can be done successfully at an excellent level by everyone. I couldn't think of a better situation than to know that a guy could travel to places like New Zealand to try and solidify hop contracts, knowing full-well that the team back home can accomplish an explosive dry hop character and get that off to customers fresh.

Be well, everyone!

-Mike

 

I dunno about Mike, but I always do my serious business behind a closed door.

 

So, you're saying anyone at TG can tell me how to get that maple flavor in beer?
I'll try each one!

 

....add maple?

 

Great idea.
Just add hops to beer too. It's that simple. Everyone's IPAs taste just like TG's.

When and how much?

 

Soooo....what are you up to these days?

 

Add sodium metabisulfite and potassium sorbate to your beer, wait a couple days and add dark maple syrup to back sweeten / add maple flavor.

 

I consider myself a loyal supporter and didn't get a ticket! Left work early to get on a faster internet provider, had my wife trying at work no luck! I'm no upset though. Win some lose some

 

This brewmaster named Mike once said, "never kill your yeast". He makes a pretty good coffee maple beer, so I'm going to not kill my yeast.

 

Yeah, but what does he know, anyway?