Topping Goliath (2023)

I got the middle finger - so no passcode for me!

 

I must be out of the loop. What is the proxies for? Everything I have seen from them have said no proxies.

 

Black friday releases of 52 Hertz

Black Friday stout sale — Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. (tgbrews.com)

 

I’m confused. Isn’t that an in person sale?

 

Correct - I think that's leading to confusion across the board.

 

I see. Yes, ok that makes a lot more sense now. We were (all) just talking in circles, because they listed proxies for apparently no reason.

Unless @brian4beer has some insider knowledge about an online sale he wants to let us know about

 

Was thinking about going to the confusing black Friday sale, but with me and my wife both winning the KBBS lottery, looks like another trip to Decorah in December. We had a blast last year, getting gregular and the Reserve. I have won 3 of last 4 years, first time for my wife to win. Our good TG karma continues!

 

There are 4 of us coming out for KBBS weekend - 3 of the 4 have been informed that we lost the lottery; the 4th must still be in a meeting or something. I'm jealous of your good karma haha - at least it'll be on tap!

I was trying to get someone to grab me bottles on black friday of 52 Hertz and Fluffernutter for potential IP trade @ KBBS but the proxy thread wasn't interested.

 

52 Hertz is basically a Triple Barrel Assassin and is getting rave reviews at the moment and very few people have gotten their hands on it. I was lucky to score a bottle on Stout Stock Day and am very very tempted to drive in on Black Friday to try and get another bottle of it.

 

I do not have any info. Haven’t been able to hit the releases actually. Just get a box in the mail here and there….



Sorry for the old man humble brag

 

So incredibly jealous of that vanilla bean assassin. Very nice man, very nice!!

 

Did not know it was triple barrel assassin. I swear when I asked this though, there were no limits on the IP release. And it still seems like it’s 6 bottles depending on how this proxy thing works. But it is what it is. Maybe it’ll be on tap at kbbs.

 

Their website had a description up, for some reason I can't find it, but it said: A distinct blend consisting of triple bourbon barrel-aged Assassin for 36-42 months, mingled with another unreleased blend of bourbon and rye barrel-aged Imperial Stout. 52 Hertz has been slumbering in the depths of our barrel room for many years, waiting for the perfect time to surface...

Oh, looks like UT was updated with this same description.

Forget the whale sound, I was hoping for some ketchup adjuncting.

 

I struck gold in the KBBS lottery and am leaning heavily in favor of making the trip from the DC area, and I was hoping to call on the kindness of fellow BAers for some info. Any insights you can share would be greatly appreciated.

1.) Best airport near Decorah to use? Flights to Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) are going at almost the exact same price as, if not cheaper than, those to Rochester (RST). While RST would save me a bit more than an hour of driving in each direction, the straight flights between DCA and MSP would knock 2.5+ hours off flight time in each direction, making me think I'll save 3+ hours in overall travel time by going with MSP. Plus, the fact that all flights between DCA and RST have at least one stop increases the chances I'll have problems with luggage, which is an important consideration given that I'll be bringing back at least one bottle of very special cargo.

2.) What's release day at TG like? I see on their website that I'll be limited to four on-site stout pours. What sort of beers should I anticipate being available for on-site consumption? What size are the pours? This will be my first experience with TG's stouts, and I'm hoping to get to try some of their heavy hitters.

3.) Does Pulpit Rock ever have anything special going on around the same time? Even though I've never encountered one of their beers, they've by no means escaped my radar, and it would be great to get to try some of the best of both breweries in one trip.

4.) Anything else I should consider?

Thanks to all in advance!

 

1) Yes, go MSP. It's just under a 3 hour drive, which is completely fine as long as it doesn't happen to be pounding snow that day. I'll be headed from just west of Chicago which is 4.5 hours each way and I've done that just fine several times.

2) They will post on the website the stouts that will be available in the coming days/weeks. KBBS will definitely be on tap and I'd guess maybe Assassin, Aurora, Term Oil variant, and maybe 52 Hertz if we are lucky. If you're into IPAs, definitely try the DDH King Sue after your stout limit is up, pairs well with the food, especially those absolutely yummy cheese curds.

3) Never been but you've just reminded me I should check it out.

4) Earlier is better than later

 

1) Agreed that MSP is the most convenient airport / starting point to Decorah. You could consider Cedar Rapids, but likely you’ll have to connect to get there even from DCA / BWI / Dulles. I have made the drive to Decorah several times from ORD, and while that drive can be enjoyable in good weather due to the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin / eastern Iowa, you’re probably eager to get to Decorah and not take more country roads than necessary to get there.

2) KBBS, probably Assassin ‘23, and likely 1 - 2 Term Oil variants will be available at the very least. Hopefully some other stuff as well in he BA stout department.

3) Pulpit Rock is excellent and definitely worth going to. TG feels corporate with their large brewpub venue and rules / limitations. Pulpit Rock just feels like a cool place to drink. They probably will have one or two of their own BA stouts on draft / cans, and they will have a variety of other really good beers, most of which will be available in both draft and can form to-go, as well.

4a) The whole “you must pick up your KBBS within your time slot” shtick seems to be a suggestion but not a requirement. I cannot confirm, however, if the same flexibility applies for picking it up a day earlier or later than what your ticket indicates.

4b) Probably not ideal in December, but 40 minutes southeast of Decorah is Effigy Mounds National Monument and that’s a pretty good place to hike along the Mississippi River while enjoying one of those to-go beers from Pulpit Rock / TG you’re undoubtedly to acquire.

 

If you're driving down from Minneapolis (and that's the route you decide to go), I think Forage is worth a stop as well depending on what they have to offer and when you get in. I plan on stopping saturday for lunch on my way down to TG.

 

There is a direct flight from Reagan to Madison with Delta. About the same distance to Decorah as Minneapolis. Plus you can go to New Glarus.

 

Fly Minneapolis. You're coming in to rural country in the middle of December, I'm guessing you'll want back up options in case there's weather/airline issues. Delta is running the Reagan to MSP route several times a day vs. any other reginal airport may have that the one flight a day. Further, MSP will know how to handle ice/snow in some of the worst conditions.

Minneapolis to Rochester is a four lane divided highway with maybe 1 or 2 stoplights on the highway (they've been working to remove them). It's only the last 60-70 miles that you'll be dealing with a two lane road and even that is a US highway. Coming in from any other direction and you'll be dealing with state or county highways to make the best time (i.e. if the plows are out, they're going to be hitting interstates and US highways first and regularly before state and county roads).

This also gives you the best pitstop option with Forager in Rochester. It's maybe a 5 minute detour stop and has great food in addition to their beer lineup. Years past they would try to time a special release the same weekend as KBBS knowing they could pull in the traffic but I'm not sure they follow that much now. They're also open seven days a week, New Glarus is only open on weekdays still 10 am - 5 pm.

 

Think I may crack my 52 Hertz tonight to see if it's worth making the drive on Black Friday to score some more bottles.