What we’re drinking: Cyber Sue
ABV: 7.2%
Who Brews It: Toppling Goliath
Where you can find it: Most liquor and grocery stores that carry Toppling Goliath beer should have some in stock
Expected Price: $13.99 for a six pack
In Hollywood, sequels and spinoffs have become the norm. If you need an example, just think of how many superhero movies have come out in the past ten years. Still, retreads and derivatives of craft beers are a relatively new concept—or at least one that has not been totally run into the ground yet.
Our beer this month is the Cyber Sue. If you even have a passing familiarity with IPAs, you’ll recognize this name. It’s closely related to Pseudo Sue, the flagship pale ale of Toppling Goliath. Now, Pseudo Sue is an award-winning beer with national recognition. How do you improve upon a beer of this caliber? Is it possible to create a better sequel than the original? Can you make a Terminator 2 when it comes to beer? I’ll be straightforward. Cyber Sue isn’t so much of an improvement on Pseudo Sue as it is a derivative of it. It has been introduced into a much more crowded beer market, so it will struggle to have the impact Pseudo Sue did when it debuted in 2009. However, Cyber Sue is still an excellent beer and a worthy addition to the “Sue” lineup of beers put out by Toppling Goliath.
When you first pour a glass of Cyber Sue, you’ll notice that the beer possesses a strong, frothy head that lingers for a bit. Once the head settles, it gives way to a strong, amber gold body containing a bit of sediment (though nowhere near enough to reach the level of a hazy IPA). If you’re familiar with Pseudo Sue, you can slightly dial back the haziness and increase the hoppiness and bitterness. Cyber Sue contains strong notes of various tropical fruits: guava, pineapple, mango, tangerine, and grapefruit. If you’re looking to pair the Cyber Sue with food, keep it simple. Fried foods, salty foods, and strong umami flavors compliment the bitter and fruity profile of this beer well. A nice steak with a side of potato wedges or fries makes a great companion to a glass of Cyber Sue.
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