Toppling Goliath Hot Dog Time Machine 4Pk

Toppling Goliath Hot Dog Time Machine 4Pk is a wheat-forward Imperial/Double IPA at 7.8% ABV, sold in a four-pack of cans. A collaboration between Toppling Goliath Brewing Company and Hop Butcher for the World, this limited release earned a 92 score on BeerAdvocate and a 4.1 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 11,000 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.8%  |  Origin: Decorah, Iowa, USA  |  Style: Imperial / Double IPA  |  Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company operates out of Decorah, Iowa, and has built a cult following around hop-driven beers like Pseudo Sue and King Sue. Hot Dog Time Machine was brewed in collaboration with Chicago-based Hop Butcher for the World and follows a "fluffy IPA" concept — multiple types of wheat were loaded into the grain bill to produce a soft, pillowy body. The hopping schedule leans heavily on Vic Secret, Sabro, Simcoe, and Mosaic varieties, added at every stage except during the boil itself, a deliberate choice the brewers describe with the playful line "everywhere except the 88-minute boil." This approach maximizes hop aromatics and flavor while keeping harsh bitterness in check.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with earthy, minty pine that gives way to a wave of tropical fruit — melon, mango, and mixed berries. Subtle coconut and stone fruit notes, likely contributed by the Sabro hops, add depth underneath.

Taste: The palate delivers a lush tropical punch of pineapple, coconut, and mixed berries up front. Mid-palate shifts toward resinous pine and citrus with a subtle roasted pepper quality that some drinkers liken to fire-roasted poblano. A light spicy hop character integrates smoothly with tempered bitterness on the back end.

Finish: Medium length with a clean, dry fade. Lingering tropical fruit and soft pine resin trail off without astringency, aided by the wheat-driven body that cushions the finish.

How to Drink Hot Dog Time Machine

Pour it cold — around 40–45°F — into a tulip glass or standard pint to let the hop aromatics fully open up. This Double IPA is best enjoyed fresh and unadorned; the wheat base provides enough body and softness that no embellishment is needed. While primarily a sipping beer, it works well in hop-forward beer cocktails: a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade plays off its tropical character; a Beermosa with mango or guava juice amplifies the Sabro-driven coconut-tropical notes; and a Michelada would lean into the beer's faint roasted pepper quality with lime and hot sauce.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow craft beer enthusiasts who follow Toppling Goliath releases
• Adding a rare collaboration to a curated beer collection
• Pairing with a summer cookout featuring grilled meats and spicy food
• Gifting to a hop-obsessed friend who appreciates limited-run Double IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hot Dog Time Machine taste like? It leads with tropical fruit — pineapple, coconut, mango, and berries — layered over resinous pine and a faint roasted pepper quality. The wheat-heavy grain bill gives it a soft, pillowy mouthfeel that keeps the 7.8% ABV remarkably drinkable.

How does Hot Dog Time Machine compare to King Sue? Both are Toppling Goliath Double IPAs at 7.8% ABV, but King Sue is Citra-hopped and focused on bright citrus and stone fruit, while Hot Dog Time Machine uses Vic Secret, Sabro, Simcoe, and Mosaic for a broader tropical-pine-coconut profile built on a softer wheat base.

Is Hot Dog Time Machine good for sipping? Yes — the fluffy wheat body and restrained bitterness make it approachable despite its Imperial IPA strength, and the complex hop layering rewards slow, deliberate drinking from a proper glass.

Where is Hot Dog Time Machine made? It was brewed at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa, a small town in the northeastern corner of the state, in collaboration with Hop Butcher for the World, based in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Hot Dog Time Machine? Grilled bratwurst or hot dogs match the beer's playful identity while the bitterness cuts through richness. Spicy tacos al pastor echo its tropical-pepper character. Coconut shrimp amplifies the Sabro hop notes. Aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the hop sweetness. Grilled pineapple ties directly into the fruit-forward palate.

What sizes does Hot Dog Time Machine come in? It is available as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard format for Toppling Goliath's limited Double IPA releases.

Is Hot Dog Time Machine worth the price? It positions in the premium craft tier, consistent with limited-run collaboration Double IPAs from highly regarded breweries. Its 92 BeerAdvocate score and strong Untappd reception support its standing as a worthwhile pickup for serious hop fans, though availability is scarce as this beer is no longer in active production.

Why Hot Dog Time Machine?

This beer represents a meeting of two of the Midwest's most respected hop-driven breweries — Toppling Goliath and Hop Butcher for the World — each bringing distinct strengths to a single can. The wheat-forward "fluffy IPA" approach, combined with a four-hop blend added outside the boil, creates a textural and aromatic experience that stands apart from conventional Double IPAs. A 92 score on BeerAdvocate from a competitive field of Imperial IPAs confirms its quality is more than hype. With production now discontinued, remaining stock carries added significance for collectors and fans of either brewery's work.