Toppling Goliath Pompeii 4Pk is a single-hop IPA brewed exclusively with Mosaic hops at 6.3% ABV, sold in a four-pack from Decorah, Iowa. Scoring a 95 on BeerAdvocate across more than 1,685 ratings and earning a Platinum Medal from Brewski, Pompeii has established itself as one of the most compelling single-hop showcases in American craft beer. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.3% | Origin: Decorah, Iowa, USA | Style: Single-Hop Mosaic IPA | Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Production & Heritage Toppling Goliath Brewing operates out of Decorah, a small town in northeast Iowa, and has grown into one of the Midwest's most acclaimed craft breweries. Pompeii strips the IPA format to a single variable — 100% Mosaic hops — allowing the variety's full spectrum of tropical, citrus, and earthy character to express itself without competing hop profiles. The approach isolates what makes Mosaic one of the most sought-after varieties in modern brewing, delivering a medium-bodied IPA with clean malt structure behind an intensely aromatic hop bill. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe mango and pineapple lead immediately, followed by layers of grapefruit peel and tangerine. Earthy, resinous undertones emerge underneath the tropical top notes, adding dimension as the beer warms in the glass. Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward — mango and pineapple dominate the front palate with juicy intensity. At mid-palate, dark citrus and pine resin arrive alongside blueberry and pithy complexity. The medium body provides enough malt backbone to support the hop-driven profile without tipping into sweetness. Finish: A persistent, measured bitterness anchors the close, with lingering grapefruit pith and earthy pine. Tropical fruit gradually recedes, leaving a clean, resinous end that invites the next sip. How to Enjoy Pompeii Serve cold, ideally between 40–45°F, in a tulip glass or shaker pint to concentrate the aromatic hop oils. Pompeii drinks beautifully on its own and rewards deliberate, attentive sipping. For food-forward settings, try it alongside fish tacos with mango salsa — the tropical hop character mirrors the fruit while the bitterness cuts through the fat. It stands up well next to a spicy Thai green curry, where the mango and pineapple notes cool the heat. A simple charcuterie spread with aged cheddar and salami also works, letting Pompeii's earthy pine and citrus contrast rich, savory flavors. Best For Hop enthusiasts exploring the range of a single variety Sharing a four-pack during a summer cookout or tailgate Gifting to a craft beer collector familiar with Toppling Goliath's reputation Side-by-side tastings comparing single-hop IPAs Frequently Asked Questions What does Pompeii taste like? Pompeii leads with bold mango and pineapple, transitions into dark citrus and pine resin at mid-palate, and finishes with persistent earthy bitterness. The overall profile is tropical, medium-bodied, and hop-forward with resinous depth. How does Pompeii compare to Pseudo Sue? Both are single-hop beers from Toppling Goliath, but Pseudo Sue uses Citra hops and sits at a lighter, more sessionable body, while Pompeii's Mosaic hops deliver deeper earthy and blueberry complexity at 6.3% ABV. Pompeii generally reads as the more layered and resinous of the two. Is Pompeii good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the 6.3% ABV is approachable enough for multiple pours, and the single-hop Mosaic profile rewards close attention with each sip. It is one of the better standalone drinking IPAs in the Toppling Goliath lineup. Where is Pompeii made? Pompeii is brewed by Toppling Goliath Brewing in Decorah, Iowa, a small town in the Upper Iowa River valley of the state's northeast corner. The brewery has gained a national following despite its rural location. What foods pair well with Pompeii? Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror its tropical hop character. Spicy Thai curry benefits from the beer's fruity counterbalance. Aged cheddar contrasts its bitterness with sharp, salty richness. Grilled chicken with citrus glaze echoes the tangerine and grapefruit notes. A burger with pepper jack cheese can stand up to Pompeii's assertive hop profile. What sizes does Pompeii come in? Pompeii is commonly available in a four-pack format, which is the standard retail packaging for this expression. Is Pompeii worth the price? Pompeii positions as a premium craft IPA, and its 95-point BeerAdvocate rating and Brewski Platinum Medal place it among the top-rated single-hop IPAs available. For drinkers interested in what Mosaic hops can do at full expression, the value proposition is strong within the specialty IPA tier. Why Pompeii? The case for Pompeii starts with restraint: by committing entirely to Mosaic hops, Toppling Goliath isolates a hop variety famous for its range and lets it speak without distraction. That discipline has been validated by a 95-point BeerAdvocate score and a Brewski Platinum Medal, placing Pompeii in rare company among American IPAs. The result is a beer that functions as both a satisfying daily drinker at 6.3% ABV and a reference point for understanding Mosaic hops at their fullest. In a category crowded with multi-hop haze bombs and adjunct-loaded experiments, Pompeii earns its reputation by doing less — and doing it exceptionally well.
