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so just north of Varsity theater
Toppling Goliath taproom coming to DSM
- Thread starter JP4CY
- Start date
so just north of Varsity theater
Aside from quality, if they have a niche they fill, will most likely be able to have support.
In the CR metro, which is about half the size of DM metro, there are six current microbreweries, where three have a restaurant, one is a restaurant/sports bar, one is a restaurant/barcade, and the other is a tasting room.
I'm aware of four closures in the last ten years, I've been to three of them and they weren't ones I'd miss.
Here is a summary of their popularityThanks, that helps add context. I had never heard of Toppling Goliath so didn't know they were a national brand. My ignorance is showing
#1 They've been pretty much the king in the Midwest for a number of years. I remember 11+ years ago waiting outside the Urbandale Hy-Vee for the ability to buy one bomber(22oz) of their beer Psuedo Sue. The Urbandale Hy-Vee would usually get like 1 case (12) per wEek and it would be gone within minutes. Now you can find their 4 packs state wide at about every place that sells beer. Some places they even collect dust.
#2 They are in Decorah and the first time I went there their taproom was an old pizza hut but they had KILLER beer. They've since build a huge facility on the outside of Decorah. Really cool place.
#3 For a long time they were Iowa only. For awhile they contracted out to someone in Florida to brew their beer, which IMO was a complete disaster. I think this only lasted a couple of years. Since that time, their footprint has gotten rather large and people that get their beer in new states love it.
#4 They are known for two major things. IPA's and world class stouts. They hold lottery's for people to come and pay $200 for a couple of bottles of their stouts. People drive from all over the country to get these stouts and very few people actually get the privilege.
#5 Like other successful companies, after they have some success, people start to hate their success. Part of this may also have to do with the owner not being the most loved guy in the world. These people that hate them can usually be identified as saying something like "Why did you go to Decorah and visit Toppling when you could have spent the whole time at Pulpit Rock (Another excellent brewery with TG ties).
With all of that said, the craft beer business has changed a lot in recent years to become a lot more local. Places like Lua get more love, deservingly so, than the big whales like Toppling Goliath.
I love craft beer. TG is a top 10 brewery in the country, maybe top 5 imho.
That's at least 75% of it. He's a piece of ****.
I would never tell a beer tourist not to visit TG, but as a local I only go to the tap room 2-3 times a year. It's just not that fun of a venue, especially compared to the original (which is now a really good beer bar that I visit regularly). Just large and impersonal, and you don't have those random tap room conversations that can be a total blast.
The beer is still pretty good, and I drink it fairly regularly.
It's good. I haven't been as big into IPAs in recent years, and I feel like their other offerings (lagers, ales, etc) are fine except I can find a suitable alternative at a much better price point in most cases. Not a huge stout drinker, so perhaps I'm just missing out there. Not trying to crap all over TG, just saying I think they are a bit overrated (and overpriced) unless you're really into the IPA scene.
On a side note, they have some wonderful sours as well. I love their Fandango series. Their seltzers do suck and I'm not a fan of Dorthy.
If you think their IPA prices are bad, go visit Wall to Wall and check out some alternatives from places like Pulpit Rock, 450 North, phase three, Blackstack, etc. Pseudo Sue is usually $16 4 pack, King Sue $19. The ones listed above start at $20 and go north of $35.
If you think their IPA prices are bad, go visit Wall to Wall and check out some alternatives from places like Pulpit Rock, 450 North, phase three, Blackstack, etc. Pseudo Sue is usually $16 4 pack, King Sue $19. The ones listed above start at $20 and go north of $35.
I think their stouts are where they are “world class”. They are a bit much for me, but I’m addicted to King Sue.
They're the only Iowa beer I've seen on the East coast in a regular liquor store. I've seen it in a craft beer bar in Tampa Bay as well. Pseudo Sue
Thanks, that helps add context. I had never heard of Toppling Goliath so didn't know they were a national brand. My ignorance is showing
Not just national, a very highly rated national brand. I'd put them up their with the Stone's, Founder's , Bell's, Rogue's, etc of the world.
I'm a big stout and porter guy and wish I had the ability to get (and justify the expense of) their good ones. As is, I prefer beers in the 7.5-10% range as I feel that's the sweet spot for flavor and not having the alcohol be abrasive.
The best flight I’ve ever had was at TG in Decorah. They’re all between 12-16% and are phenomenal Imperial Stouts.
There were talks, I know, but they couldn't come to an agreement.
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Pretty nice to see something nice like TG going into Dogtown. I bounce between Lua and Big Grove, so having another taproom that serves food is huge in that neighborhood. Especially on game days, when Lucky Horse is packed. As for the old Jethro’s on Forest, that building should be bulldozed. It’s a crappy old former Pizza Hut that’s showing its age. With the new high school football stadium down the street, parents can drop their kids off and head into TG and drink a few Pseudo Sues until it’s time to pick them up. What could go wrong?
Yeah technically they fit but don’t serve food and their beer and taproom don’t really compare to the other three.
