So Toppling Goliath's main brewer left and now they brew beer in a factory in Florida?
- Thread starter stevenpatrick
- Start date
I'm a fan of Dorothy's Lager....haven't noticed any difference other than you can get it in 6 pack bottles now. Dorothy's and PseudoSue are two of the varieties coming out of the Florida operation.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
Just like Apple went into the crapper when Steve Jobs left. Just like how the Yankees sucked when Joe DiMaggio retired. Just like how Dr. Who stinks when a new doctor is revealed. Just like how Disney became a shell of itself when Walt Disney died.
So if you have no interest in the brewery or beer in general, then why open this thread and comment twice? I would probably attribute it to a boring life outside of the internet, but maybe there's another reason that isn't coming to me offhand.
I don't get all of the TG love. It's alright but i don't think it's amazing. Now in fairness I've only had their beers they distribute. I haven't been up to the tap room and drank some of their speciality brews but I'd rank them middle of the pack for Iowa breweries.
Just out of curiosity... who is your top 5 Iowa breweries? I am not a total beer snob, so I don't know that much. That said, I like to try new craft beers often and have liked several TG brews.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
I'll take a shot for myself on the Top 5. At least of those I've tried:
- Toppling Goliath
- Backpocket
- Confluence
- Great River
- Kalona
I have easily liked TG the most of Iowa breweries. Don't like Backpocket at all. Confluence has a couple I like, but others, not so much. Never had any Great River or Kalona. Have had a Peace Tree and Millstream... Peace was alright from what I recall, but the Millstream wasn't good.
Again, I like to try things when I'm out. Find it hit and miss... and don't really care where the stuff is brewed as long as it tastes good.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
Great River is pretty good and getting better, IMO. They do best with their Belgian and saison styles, as well as barrel-aged. Not a big fan of their main IPA.
A
A small-scale brewery loses the brewer that most people give credit for creating their beloved beers. Then they decide to brew the beer on a vastly larger scale in a redneck state a thousand miles away. I would say ONE of those two factors would cause quality to drop. I know it's easier to call me a troll than to actually nod in agreement here.
You don't think TG made a recipe for those beers? The next guy can't just follow some instructions to create the same product? I assume they have their beer making process documented in the event one of the main brewers left the company. If they don't then they could be in trouble.
Backpocket and Kalona make awful beers. Confluence I dug when I was home last. They had a decent IPA. I had some Kalona IPA with a goofy name that didn't make it past the second sip before I dumped it out.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
Quite possibly, but what reason would they have to mass-produce it in a facility so far away other than to increase $$$? And you know what else can make them more money? Lowering the quality of the ingredients. Not to mention the different water quality that is probably going into their beers now.
You are probably right, but Iowa isn't exactly known for water quality, then again it may be the hogshit that added flavor.
You owe it to yourself to visit Lion Bridge in Cedar Rapids. Their Workman's Compensation won first prize at the GABF this year.
Also, I'd rate Big Grove in Solon over Backpocket.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
It's average at best. But their imperial stout and their Belgian dubbel are very good. I don't judge breweries on their IPA offerings only.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 99,048
- 207,641
- 113
I've heard good things about Lion Bridge. Will have to try it. Maybe we could do a CR-QC beer swap?
I
The IPA was the beer that was the most highly recommended to me. I also saw no other varieties at Hy Vee. I would be happy to try either of those offerings the next time I am in Iowa and report back.
I was just at Lion Bridge Brewing for the first time last week. I can't remember the name, but their American Pale Ale was solid.
I haven't tried it but I can tell you for sure that I don't. IPA's SUCK! I hate 'em.
This is an obvious troll job Steve. No one cares if you think TG sucks. It is a very good brewery with several appealing beers. I don't need you or Beer Advocate to tell me that. I will take you seriously when your picture is your avatar. Until then I take you as a made up Internet persona that trolls and runs his mouth like a badass.
And fwiw, I don't support all Iowa breweries. I don't have blind loyalty. Millstream and Backpocket do nothing for me, but that doesn't mean other folks can't/don't enjoy them. When you become an adult you can decide such things for yourself.
I never said it sucked. And your avatar isn't your picture, so it's pretty clear who's trying to run their mouth like a badass here-you. As usual, it's easy to dismiss me as a troll instead of facing the hard truths I bring up here that seem to upset the majority.
And LOL at me being made up. How many posters here have YOU met in real life?
