Toppling Goliath (TG) Assassin 2014...

Indeed, I'm usually more surprised when a release is smooth and goes well.

 

Faith in Toppling Goliath is warranted. They are well aware of how popular they have become and I believe they will take appropriate measures to make their future releases successful.

 

What barrel was '13 Yellow Wax?.....pappy as well?

 

Although something needs to be done to ensure there isn't a riot in Iowa on release day, I would like to see tickets sold locally at the brew pub starting maybe 2 weeks before the planned release day. This rewards the locals for their support throughout the year while giving those within close driving proximity the ability to buy their tickets beforehand.

 

TR I thought? Or was that red wax?

 

And only one ticket sold per person. With that, I'd totally be on board with this method of ticket sales!

 

I fully understand where this is coming from, but the 'I hope they don't let us make this a shit-show' hand wringing is a bit silly.

 

If they go with tix they should sell 75% online and 25% at brew pub that way all fans can get tix and locals are taken care of. Also a 1 or two ticket idea with names is a good idea.

 

I thought that KBBS release went really smooth! TG was well represented that day!

 

No, this year is the first year that pappy barrels are being used in assassin. The barrels are 20 yr pappy barrels; the same barrels that block 15 uses to age Super Nebula. I am not 100% sure what barrels were used for Assassin or KBBS, but I want to say buffalo trace.

 

I thought KBBS was templeton rye but I could be wrong.

 

The release itself went smooth. They only had 300 bottles of beer to sell. I know trying to get a beer inside not so much. I am sure they learn things with each release and will apply accordingly. I am optimistic
it won't be a shitshow ( fingers crossed)

 

One of my pet peeves is people sitting at the bar when these releases are happening. I had a lovely young couple at the 16 release get annoyed that I exchanged money and received my beer between them as they were having the most interesting conversation about picking up toilet paper after the release. At TG When the bar is that small and the only place to get a beer, don't sit there and make it that much harder for everyone else to get a beer. Get your beer, get the hell out of the way. Ya you got there early and got a prime spot, I don't give a shit. At these releases when the breweries are flooded with more people than they can handle, sitting at the bar is bad beer etiquette as far as I'm concerned.

 

While that is annoying, in the view of Toppling Goliath those regulars are what pay the bills not some person coming down for a limited release.

 

Yeah, who ever heard of people sitting at a bar in a taproom? The audacity of some people!

 

They have a place to order from (like all bars) and it sure isn't by jamming yourself in between two people (speaking of pet peeves)

 

If there are stools at the bar I see no reason not to set at them. Are they just there for looks?

 

I'm just sayin. Get out of my way, I'm thirsty.

 

Here is where we are at. Today, Mike and I are sampling the barrels. Although they have been filled one year, our barrel program is about patience and insuring that we can get every bit of goodness possible in the beer. Upon picking the barrels that will continue, we will start to let people know what is happening in about a 60 day window from the release. As Mike has said many times, we are trying to age this beer to perfection, so it is ready to drink when you buy it, with out having to cellar.

How are we going to do the release? That is a great question and I promise you that you will not have to take a chance showing up and not getting the beer. As those of you know that have visited, our taproom brewery is small and we want every one to have a good experience.

We are also going to try and having plenty of beers for you, making your trip worth while. We want our local customers and all of our followers to have some of these stouts since we think they are really good and want to know what you think of them!

Now if we could just control the weather!

Cheers!

 

Thanks a lot for the update and thanks for putting out beer when it is ready. I can't wait!!