Vampire Slayer - Clown Shoes

BWHD

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clown Shoes Vampire Slayer

Poured into a large brandy snifter at cellar temp.

A: Opaque, clean, and deep dark brown. Some brown/orange light peeks through at its edges. Decent lacing but below average retention. Around a finger and a half of cappuccino colored head appears at the pour, and it settles into about a centimeter’s worth of head that floats on the surface. Very lively and responsive in the glass, but it looks rather light in body; not thick or imposing in appearance. Swirling leaves some soapy, spotty specks around the inside of the glass. Good, but not great.

S: First impression of the nose is a light and roasty effervescence. Some hoppy bitterness is detectable too with some dark fruit (fig and raisin) and faint chocolate. The nose anticipates a light but complex stout. Nice. It’s a nice change of pace to detect some hops in a stout.

T: Initial taste is warm, comforting, and roasty chocolate. Good balance between sweet and a dark chocolate bitterness. The dark fruit from the nose does not play a huge role in the taste, but it is there. Some nice (almost piney) bitterness from the hops is detectable in the finish. Complex yet very well balanced. The combination of semi-sweet chocolate and the slight hop bitterness is delightful. Perhaps a very faint smoke comes through as this brew warms up.

M: Medium in body, but surprisingly not as light as the appearance and nose would have you believe. This beer is almost dense and thick at first, but it gives way quickly. It is not oily and doesn’t really coat the mouth or tongue, but leaves you with a nice bitter dryness instead. Great PH balance on the attack and midpalate that leads to a slightly acidic and dry finish. Great example of how the style should be.

O: Very complex while remaining balanced and very drinkable… in fact, I just realized now that this is also a 10% ABV. You would never know it was given this brew’s appearance, nose, or taste. The alcohol is well hidden within this multifaceted beer. As I mentioned above, the bitterness from the hops is a great changeup for a beer of this style; it’s not always quite as detectable. This is a very well crafted beer, indeed. Wonderful stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 03:52:55 | More by BWHD

beepill

California

3.99/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - Dark, dark brown, as close to black as possible without being black. Solid tan head that started about 2 fingers high, but dissipating quickly to almost no head at all.

S - Coffee, raisins, whiskey, dark chocolate, licorice, vanilla, and campfire (in the best way possible).

T - Roasty, smokey malt and strong alcohol presence hits at first. Suddenly, sweet maltiness, dark chocolate, roasted espresso beans. Bitter and sweet on the back end. Quite sweet on the lips as well.

M - Thick, syrupy with light carbonation. Alcohol and sweet aftertaste lingers in your mouth.

O - Very good. I would buy again when in the mood for a strong imperial stout. That sais, I think it would be a good idea to sit on this one for a while. I have another one in the cellar that I will pop open sometime in the future. I'm thinking this one will probably age well.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 05:35:24 | More by beepill

InfragilisBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-18-2013 05:38:31 | More by InfragilisBrew

srandycarter

California

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - Pretty close to black, not much head, some spotty lace. Tan small ring.

S - Nice. Cocoa. Coffee. Baked goods along the lines of brownies and cc cookies.

T - Taste pretty much emulates smell.

M - Medium to heavy, good carb, pretty good balance.

O - Was hoping for a bit more, but it's pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 04:58:20 | More by srandycarter

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

06-16-2013 16:47:37 | More by jaxon53

ambruns1979

California

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

06-16-2013 06:49:00 | More by ambruns1979

dbkdev

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-16-2013 02:35:08 | More by dbkdev

Neptune

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

06-15-2013 20:07:02 | More by Neptune

Drucifer

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +9%

06-15-2013 18:21:25 | More by Drucifer

hopsputin

California

4.14/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

a: pitch black, slick looking. 2.5 finger solid beige head

s: roasted toasted malts, dark chocolate, some sweet dark fruit - fig, raisin, plum. dark toffee and sweet malt.

t: roasty toasty malt hit you right away. they fade into the sweet malt, fig, dark chocolate, and alcohol. there is a bitterness on the backend that comes from the toasted malts. the alcohol is pretty noticeable - i think this may need some time to cool off

m: heavy, almost syrup-like that coats your mouth.

o: i think this needs some time to let the alcohol mellow. its still an easy drinker, but the alcohol could be a little better harmonized. its not a bad imperial stout, but there are better ones out there

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 05:34:42 | More by hopsputin

MarkJBurch

New York

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-15-2013 03:47:24 | More by MarkJBurch

bmwats

Louisiana

3.91/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a mini snifter.

A: Very dark brown. Pours a half finger, bubbly, brown-white head. Dissipates quickly leaving a pocket of bubbles and a ring. Spotty lacing.

S: Syrupy malt, dark chocolate, coffee, oak, black licorice, and an indistinct floral sweetness.

T: Bitter and pungent roasted coffee malt. Licorice is prominent, gin or vodka also. Pecan shell.

M: Thick and hearty. The liquor infiltrates the nasal cavity and kind of lingers around. Bitter and dry finish.

D: Sip and savor. The liquor feel will dictate it.

Atmosphere is pretty good. Fair head and minute lacing. Nose is complex combination of roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, licorice and something floral...I think. Pungent malt, roasted coffee, and a harsh liquor character. Overall, this is a good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 02:53:56 | More by bmwats

VictorWisc

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +9%

06-14-2013 07:30:06 | More by VictorWisc

sparx1100

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%

06-14-2013 03:51:16 | More by sparx1100

emottram

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-13-2013 21:40:42 | More by emottram

NickBeery

Maine

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-13-2013 01:29:00 | More by NickBeery

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-12-2013 18:20:41 | More by InspectorBob

dbossman

Nebraska

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark brown with a slight reddish tint and not much of a head; decent lacing

S: Roasty and slightly smoky malts; some slight booze in the finish

T: Slightly smoked up front with roasted coffee malts; the smoke grows along with the booze; some lingering dark fruits--really nicely done

F: Medium body-- a touch thin on the finish

O: This is a nice, big, smokey beer--I like it quite a bit

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 18:53:04 | More by dbossman

dmorgan310

Panama

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%

06-11-2013 04:10:46 | More by dmorgan310

litheum94

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-10-2013 00:39:39 | More by litheum94

pin

Australia

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-09-2013 21:34:05 | More by pin

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.7/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one at The Bierkoning in Amsterdam.

From a bomber into a snifter
2nd Anniversary Ale

APPEARANCE: A black, semi-transparent pour yields a 1+ finger, looser, tan head with good retention. Black body with medium levels of carbonation evident. Head fades to a foamy cap, though only a ring remains until the end leaving no lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Roasted notes, dark chocolate, some sweet cream and some smoky notes. Light hints of smoked meat.

TASTE: Roasted and caramel notes, up front with smoked flavors and sweet cream at the swallow. Bold and lingering finish is smoky with smoked meats, roasted and slightly burnt flavors, and some dark, bitter chocolate as balance. Very good and quite well balanced as well. Enjoyable.

PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Creamy on the palate, goes down fine and finishes slightly sticky. Solid here.

OVERALL: Really good stuff. I've enjoyed the handful of stouts I've had from Clown Shoes. This one was complex and well balanced, with a good combination of roasted and burnt malts and smoky flavors. Good stuff all around. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 20:34:47 | More by Jeffo

dominic4beer

California

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-09-2013 07:00:12 | More by dominic4beer

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.21/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 ounce bottle. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like dark fruit, chocolate, burnt/charred malt, and a bit of coffee. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some molasses, smoked malt and vanilla. Has a good sweet and burnt/roasty flavor overall. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit creamy and slick with moderate carbonation. I think it's an enjoyable brew, I'd buy it again. $10.49 a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 22:31:32 | More by bluejacket74

HowlingTurkey

Louisiana

4/5  rDev -3.1%

06-08-2013 20:18:08 | More by HowlingTurkey