Pompeii IPA is a New England-style IPA that’s brewed by Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. For the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in an IPA glass from a 16 oz. can.

Packaging art for the Pompeii IPA by Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

What You Need to Know

The inspiration for this single-hopped Mosaic IPA came from Pompeii and the famous mosaics that were preserved by ash after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. So how was it? Let’s get to the review.

Appearance

The NEIPA pours a ruddy golden hue that’s mostly opaque and shows ample sediment swirling in the glass. The ale is topped by a thick cap of rocky off-white foam that shows excellent retention. A smattering of residue dots the glass following the head’s reduction.

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Aroma

The aroma is bright with a scent of orange and pine.

Flavor

The palate is hop-forward and led by a modest bite of citrus on the front of the tongue. The tasting softens briefly with a transition of bready malt and tropical fruit. Grapefruit and orange citrus punch the top of the palate and the tasting rounds out with more bready malt and tropical fruit.

Label art for the Pompeii IPA by Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Mouthfeel

The feel is relatively smooth with a crisp, dry finish. The body is just over medium with shade-over-moderate carbonation. The bitterness is less than moderate and the finish is somewhat acidic.

Overall

Pompeii may not quite be as opaque as a fresher New Englander but its appearance is pretty solid. The aroma isn’t particularly strong but it is pleasant. The feel has a little more bite than your typical New Englander but it’s not overly aggressive. And there’s enough of a backbone to keep the hops in check. Regardless, it’s the palate that’s the real star of this brew and it’s absolutely fantastic. There’s a lot of juice in this brew and you’ll likely enjoy the blend of citrus and tropical fruit flavors.

Overall, Pompeii is a well-made and thoroughly enjoyable representation of a NEIPA.