In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted catastrophically. The city of Pompeii was buried under a thick layer of ash, and some unfortunate souls were not only trapped beneath it, but preserved for centuries, if in a rather indirect fashion, their bodies decaying but leaving behind a silhouette that would be used one day to produce casts of them in their final moments.

Today, the tragedy of Pompeii is also recorded in beer. Both Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger were present for the eruption of Vesuvius; the former perished then while attempting to rescue friends, the latter recorded the event for posterity. Today, each has beer named for him brewed by Russian River in California. The Toppling Goliath Brewery of Decorah, Iowa also brews a beer assocaiated with the event: Pompeii Mosaic Hopped India Pale Ale. I will let them tell you about the beer and the connection to those sad few days.

Named after Pompeii which was famous for not only the volcano that destroyed it, but the amazing mosaics on the walls of the ruins. This IPA is created with the same attention to detail as the beautiful mosaics that graced the city of Pompeii. It features mango and pineapple hop flavors with a medium-body feel to tantalize the senses.

Toppling Goliath Pompeii Mosaic Hopped India Pale Ale has an alcohol content of 5.8% by volume with 50 IBUs. I bought a can from Craftshack.com for $3.99 which is the same that Total Wine sells them for; you can get a 4-pack of pint cans there for $11.99.

Toppling Goliath Pompeii Mosaic Hopped India Pale Ale pours to a hazy yellow color with a moderate head of foam and a juicy pineapple nose. Taking a sip, the beer is thin to medium in body with a decided mango tropical fruitiness along with stone fruit (peach to my taste) and pineapple. It finishes balanced with a gentle minty leafy bitterness.

This is quite a refreshing beer indeed, and I can’t resist saying it: Pompeii erupts with juicy fruit flavor. It is very drinkable indeed, and I plan to pick up a 4-pack soon (it is sold here in Georgia).

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, canned

(D)=Draft

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