Clementine - Clown Shoes

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

1.68/5  rDev -55.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

First had: bottle from Pinocchio's beer garden, Media, PA

Whew...this may have been an infected bottle or just past its prime, but something was not right about this beer. It looked fine enough: orange-brown color with a thin wispy head. Typical wheat profile on the nose, mixed with trash and rotten orange peels. Taste was stale and harsh, more rotten orange (clementine), skunk, funk, mulch, and old bitter hops. The bottle date indicated it was only a couple months old, and it doesn't seem like a beer could go that bad that fast. Maybe this one is just a "miss" for me. Average mouthfeel, but more or less undrinkable. Drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 23:03:50 | More by Rifugium

wowbagger

Virginia

2.73/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a very pale yellow. Has a good foamy head, but otherwise reminds me of a mass-brew. Smells of straw and yeast.

Has a slightly sour, bubbly taste with only a hint of the clementine I was promised. It's certainly light, so it would be good on a hot day.

Overall, nothing special. Ok light beer + fruit but much more to say. I'd skip it.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 20:33:54 | More by wowbagger

champ103

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a nearly opaque orange color. At first a two finger white head forms, but recedes to a ring with a light film of watery lace.
S: Light orange peal, more of a banana and bubblegum like sweetness in the nose. Light spice and yeast as well.
T: A quick snap of orange with some banana esters. Hops show up next, but is gone in a second. That is it. Nothing lingers, and no aftertaste besides a bit of alcohol in the chest.
M/D: A light to medium body. Low carbonation that is thin and watery. Almost lifeless. I can certainly feel more alcohol than I would like from a Wit and 6% beer. Not really enjoy this one.

There is not much here. The flavors that do show up, vanish in a second. Which makes this very unsatisfying. Nothing particularly wrong, just blah and ho hum. Not something I am coming back to.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 20:31:57 | More by champ103

Pintofbrown

Iowa

3.05/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This was poured into a tulip.

Appearance- The bottle-conditioned body is a deep gold with copper-orange highlights. The head got to about a finger in width before quickly settling in at a slight ring. The cap was bright white and puffy, some bubbles in there, but not many.

Smell- Your usual coriander and earthy wit characteristics are here. Some pepper helps keep things interesting, even some floral hop notes. But...wait. Where is the orange? This was brewed with clementines was it not?

Taste- Well, maybe the clementines just got lost for a minute, because they certainly showed up on the palate. And I mean, that zesty and sweet orange character goes all the way through the drink.

Under that though, the base is a very generic wheat with some coriander mucking about. I am not really sure what they could do with the base to compliment the clementines, but it was not enough.

Mouth feel- The body is lighter, and man is it carbonated. It even taste a little like flat soda pop it is so carbonated. Is that off-putting? You bet.

Really wish it was creamier as opposed to fizzy. To top everything off, it is far too watery.

Overall- So, I concede that wit-style beers are among my least favorite, and more "meh" to my palate, but Clementine under performs. The clementines are a wonderful compliment for the style, and this beer could really go places.

But...the wheat base needs some more tender, loving care. And the mouth feel has all kinds of carbonation issues. I really have no reason to return to this offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 19:11:14 | More by Pintofbrown

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy golden yellow color with visible carbonation bubbling up and a 2.5 finger frothy, pillowy white head that slowly settles into a lasting ring. Streaks of soapy lacing left behind.

Slightly earthy aroma with zesty spice, citrus fruit and bready yeast notes. Hints of pepper and coriander followed by tangerine, orange peel and lemon zest. As it warns, the bread character really stands out and the citrus fades a bit.

Medium bodied and very heavily carbonated with a strong peppery spice presence that lingers over the citrus and yeast notes into a dry finish. There's a very strong coriander flavor that dominates, slightly overpowering the citrus peel and bread notes. Peppery with subtle orange and tangerine notes. Tart, dry finish. Not bad, but the overpowering coriander makes this beer a bit one-note. Needs some more citrus sweetness to balance things out.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 06:38:55 | More by corby112

DoktorZee

Alberta (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a schooner during a beer tasting club session. Didn't review the best before date, but it was fresh from the store.

A - yellow/yeasty cloudy wit appearance with a fluffy white head. Thick lacing down the glass.

S - this is where it seemed to go wrong for me: somewhat of a skunky spice mixed with sweat-sock nose, but not like a delightful skunky Brett; some citrus lemon notes as well. Can't say i liked the nose very much.

T - general character was tart, with citrus rind and finishing with lots of herbaceous notes. Not a lot of malt or bitterness.

M - quite light in body with light carbonation. No booziness.

D - drinkable, but not really to my liking

Overall this one just didn't do it for me; we made careful selections in pour order to prevent something overpowering it, but in the this just wasn't one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 19:14:37 | More by DoktorZee

TheDinger

South Carolina

3.08/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into a pint glass.

A- Cloudy orange with a small 1 finger off white head. Decent lacing throughout the beer.

S- Strong citrus/orange peel with some cloves and spice. Some wheat notes on the end, but dominated by spicy orange rinds.

T- Bitter and spice, much like it smells. Some wheat stuffed in there but a very odd taste. Almost too much on the spice end that kind of ruined the smoothness.

M- Not heavy on the booziness. A small bit of carbonation with a hint of dry. Not too watery.

O- Was a little let down with the strong orange/spicy taste and smell. A bit on the bitter end of the scale. Wouldn't turn one down, but not searching the streets either. Average-

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 02:05:49 | More by TheDinger

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

This is my first one by Clown Shoes.

Bottled last week of January, 2011:

Into a pint glass:

A: transparent bright yellow body yielded a very bubbly yet foamy large white head that lasted a good thirty seconds. Fast rising carbonation fed that head very well.

S: centered around the orange and some clove.

T: orange and the clove with a peppery sort of taste packed with light coriander.

M: light to medium, decent amount of carbonation hitting the tongue pretty hard. It leaves a dry finish.

O: I believe this is good for the style, but for me, eh, maybe only again on tap. Maybe I tried this too late, note to self, try this again fresher next time.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 23:19:14 | More by kangarooAdam59

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: hazy orange/yellow. some carbonation can be seen on towards the sides of the glass. moderate fluffy white head doesnt last nearly as long as i expected it too.

S: black peppercorns with a very pasta-dough-like malt. a slight hint of citrus, but definitley expected much more with a name like clementine.

T: similar to the nose, black pepper and a wheaty malt. citrus is even less on the palate. a little bit of fruit, but like i said earlier i expected more considering the name.

M: carbonation is mild on a medium body.

D: ive had a few offerings from clown shoes, all really enjoyable, but this hasnt been my favorite. maybe expected a little too much.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 15:07:47 | More by Jimmys

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.15/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours out an impressive cloudy yellow and copper. Soft white head about 1" deep. Standard aroma of clove and coriander with some orange rind.

Plenty of bitterness for style, clove and coriander pretty dominant, moves the citrus rind to the side. I thought the carbonation was a little bothersome, was looking for more of a orange cream experience, not orange 7up. Also was a little older in flavor, maybe this sat at Total Wine for some time, it was marked down $4.99/4pack.

Old lady was kind of meh on it too, neither of us identified anything that was an off flavor, but it is easily worth $1.25 a beer, so it gets another half notch on the overall scale.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 18:26:28 | More by Beerandraiderfan

eclipse54

Idaho

3.18/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A 12 ounce bottle from FluffyMcTingle; thank you for this one! Bottled in August, 2011 and poured into a nondescript snifter...

Pours a straw- or hay-colored yellow with about a centimeter of bubbly white head that fades rapidly. Little to no legs or lacing are left behind-save for a pale ring around the edge-despite a seemingly endless stream of bubbles emminating from the base of the glass.

The aroma is of wheat, straw, and a general barnyard funk that resembles a spicier yeast-like funk; it's odd, but not entirely offputting. Perhaps this is the ""horse blanket"" smell/flavor I've heard so much about. There are some light citrus and clove notes in the nose as well.

It tastes of wheat and straw in the beginning, clove, orange, and lemon in the middle, and finally ends with some earthen notes. Not bad, but not spectacular either; one might use the term ""average"" here.

Mouthfeel is good, being crisp, clean, and smooth, and finishing a touch dry, which leaves one desiring another sip.

Overall, a decent witbier that I wouldn't ever oppose drinking, but it certainly would not be first choice in the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 03:18:33 | More by eclipse54

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 oz. bottle poured into two goblets. Thanks for BennyL1 for this. I split it with my wife, as she's a witbeer drinker. This is as much her opinion as mine.

Appearance - Hazy straw color. Opaque. Big head, but it's gone instantly. No lacing at all.

Smell - It smells intriguing. Orange smell with some spice. Some yeastiness.

Taste - The taste isn't bad for the style, but it's not much. Again, orange peel flavor with some spiciness. I can't specify which spices, really, but that's probably my palate's fault more than the beer's. It has some hop bitterness in the midrange that becomes apparent when the aromatics die off.

Mouthfeel - High carbonation that drops off quickly. The finish is extremely dry, which is par for the style I guess. Light bodied.

Overall - Well, it has good flavor for a witbeer. But it's a witbeer. Refreshing with a nice flavor and quite a good aroma, but not anything jaw-dropping.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 02:54:12 | More by Alieniloquium

merc7186

New York

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I drank this beer in a pint glass and poured from a bomber bottle.

The beer poured out really nice. It had a great yellow cloudy look to it and the head was generous, white and frothy. The smell of the beer has a nice orange citrus smell with a follow up of the wheat and yeast scents too. The taste was a little disappointing IMO...it has a mile orange wheat taste to it but I was disappointed because the brewer states you should get a hoppy flavor in the back end and I didn't get that at all. The mouth feel was normal of a typical orange, wheat flavored beer, not bad but it doesn't blow me away either. Overall, it is a good beer for the price but is not something I would chase down if other options are available to me.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 01:35:13 | More by merc7186

unclejazz

New York

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a 4-pack of this and after chilling it cracked one open and poured it into a tulip-shaped glass for an after dinner drink.

A-copper leaning more towards the yellow than the orange. I crisp white one-finger head that thinned quickly and left a thin layer, but no lacing. The hazy appearance confirmed the white ale. No sediment, wit not wheat.

S-the orange and coriander are clearly present.There is also a must hint reminiscient of wine. Its the moldy cheese smell that reminds me more of wine.

T-I was let down by taste. The best metaphor that comes to mind is McDonald orange drink. If i added and orange slice to this stuff it would taste like a mimosa. Too much orange, artificial orange.

M-watery but the spices shore up the mouth of this white ale. Its alomost as though this beer is catering to Blue Moon fans, so , "Hey Blue Moon fans, drink this stuff instead. At least the money goes to an independent brewery."

O-I just keep thinking that a good white ale should have some citrus notes, but you should not be hammered over the head with them. I will stick with my Allagash white.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 00:54:59 | More by unclejazz

Ratman197

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber from Half Time poured a cloudy gold with a lasting white head. Aromas of wheat, yeast, orange zest and coriander. Mouthfeel was light bodied and crisp. Flavors of wheat, yeast, coriander and ligt orange zest with a crisp lingering citrus/coriander finish. I did'nt notice any Clemintine character, just seemed like a decent Wit Beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 20:59:49 | More by Ratman197

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out as a hazy yellow color with a pretty decent looking white head on top that sticks to the glass fairly well. The smell of the beer has some citrusy aromas along with the wheat softness coming though too. The taste of the beer doesn't have too much of a fruit flavor like I thought it might. The mouthfeel of the beer is light and refreshing. Overall this brew is a good summer beer for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 19:07:18 | More by Knapp85

Zorro

California

3.29/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Cloudy golden colored beer with a medium sized white head.

Smells spicy with a lots of clove and coriander scent. Chalky yeast aroma. Slightly medicinal in scent.

Starts out dry with a mineral water taste up front. Wheat cracker malt and herbal hop. Little bit of clove in the flavor but not a lot smells stronger than it tastes.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall just an OK beer, can't say this is any better than a Blue Moon.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 01:38:50 | More by Zorro

alpinebryant

Connecticut

3.3/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Received in a trade from Fluke828

Pours a strong white head of tiny bubbles, clear yellow marigold color in the body.

Aroma of belgian yeast, coriander, white wheat pale malt aroma. dough, orange peel

Taste is of mostly belgian yeast, wheat malt , strong coriander and strong belgian yeast flavors. The body is nice and light and probably on the thicker side for the witbier style. Orange peel flavors, only a bit more bittersweet and intense like one would expect of a beer named Clementine. Good bready yeast flavors. The aftertaste is slightly cloying, this is one of the main reasons I cannot give it high scores.

Overall a nice witbier. luckily there seem to be others around that I like but I would probably pick this up from time to time if it were available in CT.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 22:33:44 | More by alpinebryant

smakawhat

Maryland

3.3/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a large bomber bottle into a shaker pint glass.

A nice looking glowing orange to yellow orb with an opaque consistency. Head is soapy and white but doesn't seem to have much staying power. No lacing at all.

Bouquet is small orange, but also a wet sense. Smells slightly adjunct like and not particularly spicy for a witbier.

Taste is orange spritzy, even kind of saison bretty. Yeast punch and saison like quality. Texture and feel is very carbonated and gaseous. Mild orange notes on the finish but barely detectable.

Overall this is pretty ordinary for a witbier and hardly tastes like one either, but it does get better as it warms up that I will admit.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 20:34:10 | More by smakawhat

GregSVT

Texas

3.35/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber into a snifter - bottled 9/11

A: Pours a hazy yellow with a white head that fades to a ring and leaves some lacing on the glass.

S: The nose is a bit muted at first but I can detect notes of lemon zest, orange peel, and bready malt. As it sits it opens up a bit more.

T: The taste is a bit muted as well. I'm getting flavors of lemon zest, orange, and a lot of bread/malt.

M: The feel is a bit overcarbonated.

O: I wasn't too impressed with this one. The flavors and the mouthfeel aren't exactly what they should be for a witbier.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 06:45:09 | More by GregSVT

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass. Bottled March 2011. Big thanks to Hojaminbag for hooking me up with this.

3.5 A: Lightly hazed golden yellow color. Two fingers of white lightly frothed head with average retention and no lacing.

4.0 S: Smells like a mix between a saison and a witbier. Orange peel and corriander stands out with clementine not far behind. Hops are grassy and herbal with light citrusy notes. The saison part is a light funkiness in the form barnyard essence.

3.0 T: The taste disappoints after the nose. Actually, it's like a muted nose. The orange peel is there again and combines with the hops to offer a slightly higher than average bitterness for the style. The corriander is weaker than I'd like as is the clementine. This also isn't as malty I'd like. I can't really taste much neutral or bready malt flavor. Again grassy hops.

4.0 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation. This has a nice creaminess to it and it goes down easy.

3.5 D: Aside from the taste (which is mediocre), this is a pretty good beer. Of course, the taste is most important, so take that however you want.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 23:31:53 | More by DavoleBomb

mdcrouser

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled March 2011 in the 22 oz. bottle.

Beautiful deep golden-orange and rapidly bubbling carbonation, adding to a fluffy white head.

Fruity, with the clementines providing a huge kick of citrus right up front, hiding behind it the yeastiness and hoppiness. It's there but reserved on the nose.

General characteristics of a white with bits of hops and yeast, while the title ingredient remains dominant. Bitter and drying but still sweet citrus, almost like it's the rind that is incorporated, rather than anything having to do with the juice. the hoppiness then is far removed, sitting way back on the palette. It does though carry the citrus through here, playing more of a supporting role.

Unique in that not many breweries can pull off incorporating big citrus into a beer that traditionally only features moderate citrus. But I think this would be a good white ale without the citrus - just add some lemongrass and it might be more enjoyable. It adds something - I'm just not sure it lives up to the hype.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:06:41 | More by mdcrouser

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Second Clown Shoe offering of the evening. This one's definitely no Tramp Stamp. Heffeweizen wheat type beer with the orange already in it. This poured a nice orange tint into a pint glass, with a fairly voluminous head. Strong Belgian strain yeast scent, with some floral and citrus notes. Taste follows the nose. Strong on the Belgian yeast with some nice mellow citrus. Moutfeel is decent enough, although a bit thin. Overall, a nice summer beer. Not something I'd make a habit of getting, but I could revisit this on a moments notice without any reservations.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 01:24:32 | More by Retail1LO

jman892

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours straw yellow with a sudsy head. Somewhat hazy

S - Smells strongly of belgian yeast, some clove is noticeable, and maybe some orange peel as well

T - Spicy taste, cloves upfront, mixing in with a very mild citrus flavor, and a mild amount of funkiness

M - Crisp mouthfeel with a good amount of carbonation

O - Decent beer, my first from this brewery, a good summer beer, it is not outstanding but pretty solid

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 00:15:37 | More by jman892

womencantsail

California

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks for this one, Jeff.

A: The beer pours a hazy golden color with a rather large white head.

S: Smells a bit plain. A lot of straw and grass but not much in the usual aromas of bread, malt, spice, or citrus. There is a little bit of citrus peel. Not much coriander, though.

T: A nice citrus flavor with lemon and orange peel. Like with the aroma, there really isn't much spice or malt flavor. Some sweetness, but it's more candy/sugar-like.

M: Light in body with medium carbonation.

O: Not really much witbier character to this. Wasn't a big fan.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 04:39:12 | More by womencantsail