Blaecorn Unidragon - Clown Shoes

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle, stamp on bottle says bottled on 09/25/12. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with a half inch tan head that stayed around for a long time. There's also a good amount of lacing. The brew smells like roasted and burnt/charred malt, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, licorice, molasses, and some herbal hops. Taste is mostly like the aroma, it tastes like roasted and burnt/charred malt, bittersweet chocolate, licorice, piney hops, coffee, and a bit of dark fruit and toffee. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's creamy and has moderate carbonation. It's very easy to drink for a beer that's 12.5% ABV. I liked this brew, it's definitely worth trying if you come across it.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 23:25:23 | More by bluejacket74

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My first Clown Shoes, sent courtesy of Aaron (thanks man!) poured into a a pint shaker.

A: Pours deep red & brown but is actually opaque and nearly black in the glass, with tan lacing and head.

S: Really pleasant RIS nose - Big roasted malt, dark caramel sweetness, licorice, and earthy hops with an herbal edge. Coffee as well, with the lightest hint of smoke.

T: With strong flavors of roast, coffee, malt, herbal hop, smoke, and licorice, the palate is right in line with the nose. Full of flavor, and unique in the way the moderate hopping, hints of smoke, and light discernible licorice mesh together.

MF: Medium to full mouthfeel - creamy body, with a light tought of alcohol bite, and medium carbonation.

O: On taste alone, I'm surprised that this one is 12.5% honestly, though I felt it a few minutes after finishing the first 11 or so ounces. Alcohol is hid really well, with some great RIS flavors. Really quality stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 14:05:39 | More by Scotchboy

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Splitting a cellar temp bottle with Stopper. Poured the beer into snifters with a jet black pour and minimal beige head that fades to an edge layer quickly after the pour.
The aroma is dark chocolate and coffee bean, with deep hits of booze and bits of burnt cigar. Definitely seems like this is going to be a sipper of a beer.
The first sip reveals an average body with very fine carbonation that has a bit of sticky texture on my palate after each mouthful.
Flavor is as expected from the nose with big hits of malt and booze.
Lots of molasses, dark chocolate and coffee grinds, the finish is warm booze that heats up my belly after each swallow. I dont really find any hops and enjoy this beer slowly as it is fairly hot. WHile I enjoy the beer and its profile I wonder if it would be better in a couple years with a bit of mellowing under its cap.
It is an aggressive beer that can be enjoyed now, but I will get another bottle and sit on it for 3 years to see what happens.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 03:21:21 | More by sulldaddy

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

No freshness dating.

A= Pours a thick black color with a nice thick creamy brown head on it that holds excellent retention and lacing on the side of the glass.

S= It smells aggresivly hopped for a RIS. Big hop character as well as a huge roast character to it. Not much alcohol comes through. Smells fabulous.

T= The taste matches the smell pretty well. A big hop character starts up front with a nice roast to it. The roast and hops play a nice bittering role with a sort of peanut butter middle to the beer. It tastes pretty unique to me for a RIS.

M= Smooth and creamy. Very pleasurable.

O= This is a quality RIS. I don't know how easy it is to aquire for a guy but I picked mine up from the store no prob. If that's the case this might be my "go to" RIS this winter. It fits the bill perfectly and tastes great. Check this out for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 04:45:07 | More by jjanega08

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap, poured into a 6oz. taster, hope this is legit. At 12.5% ABV it better be. Thin tan head recedes quickly, but leaves sweet soapy lacing. Absolutely completely black, with small hints of ruby on the very edge, emphasis on SMALL. Otherwise very black. Aroma is rather subdued, unfortunately. Taste is filled with roasted/toasted molasses malt coffee oat, and TOBACCO, very chewy with some hops/bitterness. Mouthfeel is smooth but severe. I do like it. Overall probably too much booze for my liking but still very good. Glad I did a 6oz. So far I'm impressed with Clown Shoes. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 21:18:25 | More by rodlavers

rebelthrower

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle

A - Black with the slightest hint of brown when held near the light. The head was almost 2 thumbs of thick a thick mocha. Left a thick lacing down the entire glass.

S - Lots of malts, mostly a dark chocolate and coffee.

T - Roasted malts, a bit of chocolate and tiny bit of vanilla.

M - Medium carbonation and very chewy. Creamy and smooth.

D - Not over bearing with alcohol, which happens with imperial stouts. Very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 05:40:44 | More by rebelthrower

KKB

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A – Really just a black oily looking goo with just the slightest hints of opacity surrounding the edges, but I may just be imagining that. The head is a slightly burnt wheat toast that is rather meager probably owing to the humongous ABV, looks good overall though.

S – Huge nose, you get a burnt malt right up in the forefront that smells of the darkest and strongest of coffee battling with a bittersweet dark chocolate. Definitely some hops in the nose as well, serving as an undercurrent to the dominating malt.

T – Hops! Wow. Did not see that coming…at all actually. The hops really don’t register too large in the nose but they are the first thing I noticed when I took a sip. Not really because they are the dominant flavor so much as I just truly did not anticipate such a boisterous hoppy presence. The burnt/toasted malt is really the dominant flavor here and it is infused with wondrous coffee and chocolate, and tempered by a brown-sugar like sweetness that serves to even the keel of this beverage. Also, I really like the role of the hops in this beer and the balance they are able to strike by hanging out in the background. Really very nice overall.

M – FULL bodied, limited carbonation as a Russian Imperial stout should be, has a creamy mouthfeel to it and the finish is dryer and a little more bitter than I would have expected as well—not at all unpleasant though. However, I feel like they could have upped the carbonation just a touch. Overall a very good mouthfeel though.

O – Overall, this is a titanic Russian Imperial Stout. Just totally arrogant, in your face, bold as all hell. I mean, the name says it all: Blaecorn Unidragon—a confluence of mythical beasts that surely no beer could live up to! And yet this just kinda does. Flavor is way over the top and perhaps a tiny bit overly ambitious, but hell, I just love beer. One truth that absolutely pertains to me is that I look for the best in all things, and I tend to find it and enjoy. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think that it is just lovely--producing an effect that is greater than the sum of its parts. Will definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 06:12:09 | More by KKB

morimech

Minnesota

3.55/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark black brew with two fingers of head that had excellant retention before settling to a thick cap. Plenty of lacing is left down the glass.

Rather weak aroma for such a big stout. A little roasted and chocolate malt. Also herbal and medicinal.

Nothing really exciting about the flavor. A bit astrigent. Aggresively hopped and overly so. The malt flavor is chocolaty and mildly roasted. Herbacous and earthy hop flavor. The alcohol is well hidden.

The body does not feel as big as I think it should be with this ABV, but it feels properly carbonated and pleasantly textured. Just not big and chewy.

A letdown. Nothing wrong with the beer but not really getting into this highly hopped stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:02:04 | More by morimech

wesdorris

California

3.58/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours solid pitch black with a frothy head that subdues to a thin light brown ring around the sides of my tulip glass. Slight swirl of filmy head lingers on the surface.

S: Sticky sweet biscuit, lots of herbal non-floral working hops, Roast and coffee, slight medicinal (Non-Band Aid) aroma.

T: Slightly cloying, A little dryness to counter the sweet, alcohol, over hopped in an unbalanced way IMO. Slight medicinal taste. Roast and coffee, slight licorice linger.

M: Oily and middle of the road for an IRS.

O: Great beer, just spoiled by the bounty in San Diego County.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 00:08:14 | More by wesdorris

DaveAnderson

Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Strong pour from a bomber into a Duvel glass. Opened at about 40°, and re-sampled until it reached about 60°.

A: Milky, dark beer that develops a moderate tan head, which recedes quickly, and leaves very little lacing.

S: Not the greatest RIS I have ever smelled. There are some chocolate notes, but also some off aromas, like cardboard and glue. Slight hoppiness discernable after it warms.

T: Slightly astringent, sight chocolate finish. A little bitterness, and a tiny amount of sweetness. The alcohol is well-masked. I can't say I'm hating this, but I wouldn't call it a favorite.

M: It's very rich and creamy. This is easily its best attribute.

O: I just don't understand why Clown Shoes released this beer. I have had plenty of Imperial Stouts, and generally like the style. But this one is one of my biggest RIS disappointments. There just isn't the complexity or harmony that I expect from a RIS. Too bad.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 05:49:58 | More by DaveAnderson

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at BBC Cedarville--served into a tulip glass.

Appearance: black in color, 1/4inch head, opaque, minimal carbonation

Smell: roasted malt, dark chocolate, and alcohol

Taste: roasted malt, dark chocolate, creamy vanilla and alcohol--especially on the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: heavy bodied, moderate carbonation, sweet with roasty bitterness and alcohol burn at the end

Overall: An above average chocolate treat. I think the booziness in this one is a bit too overwhelming and dominates some of the other flavors. That separates it from others that I like more in the style. Not a bad beer, but there are others that I would go to first in the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 16:46:56 | More by tigg924

silverking

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours pitch black with a khaki/tan head. lacing is short lived, but it cascades beautifully down the glass. Intense and earthy aromas of vanilla, pine, licorice and alcohol dominate the nose. It has a perfect mothfeel, creamy with low carbonation. The tast carries oasted malt up front that fades slowly and elegantly into a dark chocolate and bitter hop finish. There is definately a warming sensation to be had from drinking this brew, although the alcohol is surprisingly undetectable on the palate. Overall, I wish that there was a more intense flavor profile. Compared to the smell and appearance of this beer the taste felt somewhat muted. The bottle states that it improves with age, I'll have to cellar a few and see what happens. Definately recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 00:42:43 | More by silverking

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'm still very much amused by the art style on Clown Shoes' bottle labels.

It's black, all right. Three fingers of fluffy khaki foam caps a finger of inverted bubble rushing movement for about three minutes, but leaves behind only minimal lacing patterns on the glass interior. Rich, deep body with a nice silky smoothness but perhaps about 15% undercarbonated for my taste.

There is a very distinctive stab of licorice aroma on the nose, overlaying the char, ash, coffee, and an additional welcome garnish of pine resin. The flavor, at first, resembles as though somebody had made charcoal briquettes out of carbonized raisins. As it warms up, the flavor gains elements of pithy bittering, smokey ash, and bitter cocoa powder. The ABV is hard to detect, so I advise taking it slowly with this one. This is a pretty good RIS that distinctively leans hard on the char side of the balance spectrum with framing accent notes of licorice aroma and resinous flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 20:58:05 | More by WastingFreetime

Gobzilla

California

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured an opaque dark as night black in color with a thin head that left a little bubbly lacing sticking to the glass.

S: Had a very nice dark chocolatey aroma upfront in the nose with plenty of malty sweetness, hints of toffee, coffee, a hoppy presence, slightly earthy and a little vanilla was coming through as well.

T: The flavor had some good roastiness alongside that sweet dark chocolate that the aroma suggested but with a good coffee kick, sweet toffee, hints of earthiness, hoppy accents and a touch of underlying vanilla.

M: the brew was medium to full in body with a moderate amount of carbonation which had a sweet, roasty, chocolatey, slightly hoppy, mildly bitter and silky finish.

O: was a solid RIS which was better than I thought it was going to be and the hop character was well balanced and not over done.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 14:25:40 | More by Gobzilla

KajII

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

[Suggested Glassware: Snifter]

The pour was a deep dark jet black with an average (1-2 finger) medium brown dense creamy head that reduced to a thin film with a small collar and had excellent sheeting of sticky lacing.

The aroma was very robust with a burnt chocolate malt, light resin hops and a sweaty leathery yeast, with notes of dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee, vanilla and a bit of smoke.

The taste was extremely malty and lightly sweet with a hint of chocolate for the first few seconds, and then became moderately bitter with a big coffee note, a hint of smoke and an almost overwhelming alcohol presence towards the finish. The flavor stuck around for an average duration after the swallow, with an alcohol infused espresso mocha taste left to settle in on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was full in body with an oily, dry texture and a very soft carbonation.

Overall this was a very impressive brew, one which possessed a ton of flavor and a smooth easy drinkability. I believe I will buy another just to age, a brew like this can only get better and better...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 21:03:30 | More by KajII

socon67

New York

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Black pour. Very slick with a noticeable thickness to the liquid. Brown head settled very fast. Minimal foam retention. Lacing was moderate at best.

S - Nice scent of dark malt, chocolate, brown sugar, and licorice. A nicely complex and rich smell.

T - Rich flavors of cocoa powder, hearty malts, sugary sweet candy, and licorice. Finish has a slight smoky quality.

M - Rich flavored big stout that is easily enjoyed by sipping. Has an oily feel on the tongue. Heavy bodied stout that is all that you expect.

O - I'd get this again. This is a high quality russian stout that has plenty of complexity. I found this a nice break from the bourbon barrel aged stouts, maple syrup infused stouts, and other trendy picks. This is just a solid RIS with plenty to offer.

Serving type: growler

11-13-2012 01:05:00 | More by socon67

larryi86

Delaware

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle about a year old

A- Black with a two finger tan head.

S- Roasted malts, some coffee, dark chocolate, some piney hops, licorice.

T- Roasted coffee, dark chocolate, pine, woody, licorice, touch of alcohol.

M- Full body, smooth, creamy.

O- A tasty beer worth trying. I would like to try a fresh bottle. Nice complexity with a good bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 01:58:44 | More by larryi86

cvm4

Mississippi

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours thick & black. Thin tan head. Not much lacing.

S - Hoppy for a RIS. Loads of black licorice and semi-sweet chocolate.

T - A roasted stout with heavy flavor coffee and dark chocolate. Malts abound with a hop presence that is noticeable.

M - Heavy on the palette and medium carbonation.

O - Very enjoyable for a hoppier stout. Hits all the right notes that one looks for in an RIS.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 20:35:28 | More by cvm4

DonDirkA

Arizona

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours pure black with a slightly brown/off-white head that settles around one finger. The nose is pretty hoppy for something so burly. Some pine, grapefruit, a bit of chocolate, some roasted malts, coffee and some raisin and prune notes. There's some spice in there too like cinnamon and clove. The taste is more roasty than the nose but hops are definitely prevalent. Grapefruit, roasted malts, char, pine, coffee, smoke, a hint of dark chocolate, a bit of spice and some zesty citrus way in the back. Its full bodied, medium mouthfeel, lighter than expected but it works very well. It has weird flavors for a stout, I don't remember so much hops the last time I had it but that may have been an older batch. This one was bottled 9/25/12 so its pretty fresh. I'd love to grab another and set it aside for about a year to see where it goes when the hops fall off.

As it warms up the hops fall off and the smoke and char become more intense.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 08:28:03 | More by DonDirkA

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle opened on 10.31.12.

A - Pours a motor oil brown, wich looks black in the glass. It has a one inch brown foamy head and solid retention.

S - Chocolate, roasted malts, some hop presence.

T - Grass, hopped up stout with some chocolate and roasted malts.

D - Good carbonation and a heavy body.

O - Chocolate, roasted and hoppy.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 05:31:47 | More by HuskyinPDX

bmwats

Louisiana

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a footed tulip.

A: Dark brown to black. Pours a slight, brown, bubbly head. Dissipates quickly and completely leaving a slight beer ring. Slight lacing.

S: Roasted espresso, dark chocolate, butterscotch, with a bit of a woody tone. All lightly applied and balanced.

T: Coffee, black licorice, and vodka.

M: High alcohol profile. Full, hearty, and robust. Bitter start which lingers on the palette throughout. Dry finish.

D: The character of this dictates a slow plodding process.

Atmosphere is good. Dark and intimidating with a slight head and lacing. Nose is full and powerful combination of lightly applied sweet, roasted, woody components. Well-balanced. Dark roasted coffee and sambuca highlights this thick, full-bodied alcohol-heavy brew. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 03:18:43 | More by bmwats

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle dates 02/2012 poured in to tulip.

A - Poured ink black. One finger of espresso coloured head.

S - Huge roast aroma up front that gives way to semi-sweet chocolate, molasses and a fairly prominent hop presence.

T - Massive roast and char flavours up front. The mid-palate adds some bitter dark chocolate and hints of anise and smoke. The alcohol is warming but fairly well hidden. A big hop presence is still evident in the background, especially in the finish.

M -Medium to full body. Somewhat viscous. Light carbonation.

O - A very good example of the style. As the label suggested, this would be really interesting to age.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 18:58:02 | More by TheSevenDuffs

arizcards

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a single from Total Wine in early January for $8.99. Bottled in October 2011.

Beer poured black as night with a solid brown head that is hanging around pretty well.

Nose is coffee and chocolate.

Taste is coffee and chocolate as well balanced by a fair amount of hops so that it is not too sweet.

Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied and very smooth.

Overall this is a very solid beer, the abv is well hidden in the taste. Another nice brew from Clown Shoes!

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 23:11:37 | More by arizcards

slickyrb

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Found this gem on a shelf after being bottle in Sept 2011.
Have the feeling it came from someone's collection and re sold .
Pours well with a med head , pitch black in color with enchanting aroma . The smell of chocolate or dark fudge .there is a slight smokey flavor hiding in the after taste . This Russian imperial stout really hides the high avb of 12.5 . I really enjoyed this stout. Next one will be enjoyed around a fire to bring out even more of the flavor . If. You have one or come across one I suggest its time to enjoy this beer .

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 22:31:10 | More by slickyrb

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled 1/2012; Consumed 10/11/12

A: Pours a pitch black color with a fingers worth of brown head that lasts for a good while

S: Tons of roasted malts, brownie batter, chocolate, and toffee. Smells like dessert to me

T: Very roasty, with notes of burnt coffee, dark chocolate, toffee, and even some hops in there. Alcohol is slightly solvent-like, but almost unnoticeable. Very impressive for 12.5%

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. I expected this to be thicker with less carbonation, but not so

O: Definitely a beast of a RIS. The alcohol can pack a punch, especially if you don't expect it. I'd say this is almost too easy to drink at 12.5%. It certainly hides it well. Worth the price of admission

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 01:06:01 | More by BEERMILER12