Vampire Slayer - Clown Shoes

gueuzeonhigh

Maine

4.6/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a bible black heavy libation cascaded into the glass.
Slight let-down short lived head-- laced the glass, collapsed leaving a ring at the perimeter and that's about it.
Nose is of toasted malt, a hale of hops, with what I might call sweetness.

But the flavor-- ah the flavor! But it's not just the flavor it's how this beer behaves on the palate.. Perhaps one of the finest RIS's I've sampled. Everything in perfect proportion-- hops, malt, alcohol, density, effervescence, finish.

Mouthfeel- is an alive blanket of licorice, raisins, hops, malt, toasted malt and a finish that glides and soars. Ok I'm under the influence of the 10% ABV!

Overall-- I rarely or never award a 5.0!

If you're ready for an RIS, this is one to try-- walk a mile for it!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 23:47:10 | More by gueuzeonhigh

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber pours black with no highlighting. Awesome dense head and lacing is excellent. Damn near perfect looking brew.

Nose is dark, un-sweetened chocolate with a pretty hefty load of citrusy hops. Not generic smelling per say, but certainly not unique.

Ooooh...wow. For a 10%'er, this is freaking fantastic! Very smooth and chocolaty with very little bite or astringency. Very nice Clown Shoes. I liked the Unidragon well enough to buy a couple for the cellar, and was skeptical of this one at first trying to separate itself...but hot damn! This one is tasty and smooth, the ABV is absolutely nowhere to be seen (though I am sure I will feel it soon). Hops still play a factor on the flavor and finish, which adds a nice dimension to it. Yeast is clean and the sweetness is just about perfect. Mouthfeel is nice and creamy with just enough carbonation. It reminds of a fresh (and good batch) of Buried Hatchet with a little bump in alcohol. Just so smooth and tasty. I have not been this surprised by a beer in quite some time. Dont think this would age well though, it is not overly complex. I'll be buying a few more of these for sure, although I would buy alot more if these bastards would put it in six or four-packs at a decent price.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 03:00:14 | More by twiggamortis420

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears jet black, as expected. The 22 oz bottle was split/shared into 2 big snifters. It was poured slowly to get even split so it was hard to get a read on the head. Snifters were almost too big. But what little head I got was tan in color.

Aroma is big on vanilla and hickory smoke, with some espresso and faint baker's chocolate.

I tasted big roasted, charred grains up front with a touch of bitterness and booze. This was followed by notes of hickory, oak, peet moss, and a touch of brown sugar in the finish once the beer came to room temperature.

Mouthfeel was moderate in weight. Not too syrupy - actually a tad on the dry side.

I really liked this brew. The sweetness is refined and subtle. It mixes with the woodsy notes VERY well. I just bought the one bottle a few months ago, and now I wish i bought a bunch :(

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 00:59:31 | More by jbertsch

beechner224

Florida

4.56/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a large pint glass. Pours rich black with just enough head. Looks like a large stout should. On smell I get chocolate, caramel, and coffee - very nice.

On first sip it is really good. I still get the chocolate and coffee. It is nicely balanced and mouthfeel is lighter than you would expect. There are several light flavors in there: vanilla, hint of booze, and very smooth.

Starting to really like clown shoes - several of there latest samplings have been great.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 22:27:28 | More by beechner224

tzieser

Arizona

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured from a 22oz bomber into a st. feuillien goblet.

a: pitch black in color (completely opaque) with a fluffy coca power colored head that quickly subsides into a thin lacing around the glass.

s: lots of roasted malt and smoke. notes of burnt biscuit and hickory. interesting.

t: lots of sweet chocolate syrup-like malt flavor quickly followed by wave after way of smokey roasted malt goodness. nice and complex. this tends to lean towards the sweet and smokey side. low bitterness and the alcohol is very well hidden. i love it.

s: great mouthfeel.

i did not expect to enjoy this beer as much as i did. one of the most unique and memorable stouts i've had in a while. recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 02:32:56 | More by tzieser

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint.

A – Black as black can be with a nice two-finger light brown head of sea foam consistency. Lacing coats every inch of the glass.

S – Moderately strong aroma of chocolate, burnt coffee, and a bit of wood. Smells inviting.

T – Chocolate, roasted malt, and dark fruit. Also strong overtones of graham cracker, smoke, and marsh mellow. Very rich. Kind of like drinking a campfire S’more. Sweet, but nicely balanced with some bitter esters from the charred grains. Hint of anise, but JUST a hint. Sweet milk chocolate aftertaste lingers. 10% abv CRAZY hidden. Delicious. Dangerous.

M – It is here where this beer truly is a marvel, as it is full bodied, but has a very creamy, smooth feel which keeps it from being overbearing or syrupy. All this is managed with very low carbonation (although maybe a little more than other 10% abv Imperial Stouts) Too bad this category doesn’t go to “six”.

O – If you like Imperial Stouts on the sweet side with a lot of chocolate character, pick this up immediately! I can’t get over how much this actually tastes like a S’more. Obviously couldn’t drink more than one, but that’s like saying you couldn’t eat more than one chocolate cake; it’s that rich. Overall, an exceptional effort. This will now be my dessert beer of choice. Kudos to Clown Shoes.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 05:44:53 | More by TempeBeerMan

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
10% ABV, Bottled on 10/18/12 printed on shoulder.

A - Despite the higher level of alcohol within this beer, a tall mocha head rises up and remains coating the sinister-looking black beer for quite some time. Dots of lace remain clutching the glass while legs of alcohol dribble around them.

S - Lush and dark, the aroma of Vampire Slayer starts with smooth milk chocolate and gooey melted caramel before opening up to light smoke notes which waft out ever so slowly. Sticky molasses and dark chocolate-covered espresso bean follow through creating a deep and intense aroma within Vampire Slayer.

T - Thick and rich like the aroma foreshadowed, this beer's ash-y smoke notes which underscore the bold roasted malt flavor elevate the smoothness of the milk chocolate presence and lingering flavor of a good old cup 'o joe.

M - Vampire Slayer's silky and seductive entry leads to a deep, dense feel that's thick and viscous in presence while not too sweet, nor bitter on the finish. It's balanced wonderfully, lingering with a trail of faint smokiness.

O - Congratulations on the excellent Second Anniversary, Clown Shoes. This beer is a dark and voluptuous treat with deep malt character and chocolatey nuances for a thoughtful, involved drinking experience that will pair well with most any dessert.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:28:45 | More by BeerFMAndy

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

4.5/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled July 2012:

Into a nonic:

A: pitch black colored body that leaves a three finger tan foamy head that gently dies into a film over the top of the body. No carbonation is seen rising due to the pitch black body and minimal lacing is left behind.

S: heavy roasted malt, cocoa and coffee combined close to perfect. No alcohol is smelled even as the beer warms.

T: the same with more of a well-liked smokiness/roastiness added

M: medium with nothing harsh on the tongue. I would say this is mostly drinkable. I thought it would be more of a sipper due to the high ABV, no worries because its not

O: this is a great double stout that I would come back to, as the alcohol is well hidden throughout, but perhaps I could've waited on this a bit longer.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 18:28:03 | More by kangarooAdam59

Wasatch

Utah

4.48/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to Hojaminbag for this brew.

22oz. Bomber
Bottled: 2/2012

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, nice carbonation, with a nice little fizzy/creamy light tan head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is very nice, malty, with some very nice chocolate/toffee notes, nice vanilla scent, roasty, nutty. The taste is exceptional, malty, very nice vanilla note, chocolaty, toffy, with some coffee notes. Medium body, kinda chewy, ABV hidden very well. Love these Clown Shoes brews, thanks Ben.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 18:39:07 | More by Wasatch

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.48/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in an Olde Hickory shaped glass.

2nd Anniversary Ale!

A: Black as night and with a 1/8 finger head. It looked totally dangerous!

S: Fresh coffee grounds for sure, along with bittersweet chocolate. It has a bit of an ash-like quality that I personally thought was awesome.

T: A bit sweet and dark fruit, tempered by bittersweet cocoa. The balance was astounding here: Malt, bitter elements, and a tinge of hops totally made this one great for me!

M: A tinge of bitterness at the end, but overall the chocolate compound was fresh, intense, and quite good! The lacing was mild overall.

O: I actually dug this one more that their RIS and I think it will be much more acceptable to people.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 00:29:58 | More by Chaney

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 2/2012. Poured in to Founders tulip.

A - Black with half a finger of medium brown head that reduced to a ring around the glass.

S - Big roasted malt aroma up front. Smoke, semi-sweet chocolate and coffee round out a really inviting nose.

T - Big roasted malt profile up front that is complimented by big sweet molasses, chocolate, brown sugar and a touch of coffee. Smoke is present but doesn't dominate ... the perfect proportion. The finish is dry and bitter.

M - Medium body. Creamy. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 01:44:55 | More by TheSevenDuffs

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.48/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle served in a snifter.

L - black with a tan head that left a nice bit of lacing.

S - roasted coffee beans and chocolate.

T - rich and roasty all the way through with tastes of licorice, chocolate and bitter espresso coffee.

F - medium/full bodied, smooth and creamy.

O - very nice!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 01:37:32 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Second Anniversary Ale

A - Black with a light brown head. Not as viscous as I expected. Bubbly head that builds and hangs around at first with some good lace but also builds and fades quickly with no head retention as the beer breathes and warms toward room temperature.

S - Tons of roasted malt and some coffee. Earthy, smoky, sweet.

T - Fantastic stout flavors. Dark, roasted, sweet, malt. Fresg-roasted coffee, dark fruits, caramelized sugar, currants, sweetened condensed milk.. A bit of alcohol in the finish but it's very complementary to all the flavors hitting your palate.

M - No carbonation. Smooth, roasted, malty, delicious beer. Huge fan of this Imperial American Stout. At room temperature it really shines. There's a white/tan sediment layer at the bottom of the glass of which I've never seen in a stout but it's no bother.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 08:28:55 | More by Gatch

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Bomber bottle picked up last week and enjoyed extremely fresh. Poured from the bottle into my Portsmouth Brewery tulip and enjoyed at cellar temperature.

Appearance: Pitch black in color with a one finger, creamy light brown head. Recedes into a nice thin lacing on top.

Aroma: Lots of smokey ash notes, hints of milk chocolate, and coffee beans upfront. The smoke notes are definitely big, but the underlying sweetness balance it out well.

Taste: The smoke notes again dominate. Milk chocolate and roasted coffee notes balance out everything nicely. Nice slightly roasted finish. Balanced and tasty.

Mouthfeel: Really smooth and creamy. Medium to full bodied with lower than average carbonation, but not flat at all.

Overall, a nicely balanced stout with a great smoke character and great balance. The idea behind the holy water might be a bit gimmicky, but the beer delivers. The ABV is really hidden well. I will definitely seek this out again. Probably best fresh based on how smooth it is.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 01:46:26 | More by Gosox8787

ksimons

New York

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-almost black with no visible highlights and a medium tan head that sticks around and coats the glass

S-rich roasted malts, coffee, chocolate, and a nice oaky finish

T-the taste is also very good, rich roasted malts, a light bitter coffee, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, some smoked malts, and again an oaky woodsy flavor. Very nice

M-medium to full body, dry finish, light carbonation, smooth and creamy

Overall I really like this beer. A little more roasted and smokey than other imperial stouts. I will have this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 00:32:32 | More by ksimons

zander4dawin

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours jet black with a light mocha head. Smells very toasty, with roasted malt aromas. Taste is rich and heavy, toffee and chocolate notes with a dry hickery smoke finish. The hops are toned down allowing the richness and smokey flavors to come out. More of an export stout then a true imperial stout, at least in my eyes. Overall this is a wonderful smoked stout worthy of a try.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 23:56:51 | More by zander4dawin

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pouring a thick, dark black, Vampire Slayer opens with a nose that perfectly fits the style and the brew's color, being heavy with coffee grounds, tobacco, and ash, balanced beautifully with heavy cream, and light finishing touches of caramel, vanilla, and anise. The heavy cream aromas are more present here than in many Imperial Stouts, and when combined with the coffees and alcoholic vapors, make this beer reminiscent of a Bailey's/Kahlua combo shot. There are a few hops in the nose, adding some pine textures, and it says much of the quantity of hops added that they're even detectable over the malt onslaught. As a whole, the nose is beautiful and enticing, suffering only slightly from an excess of cream and sweetness.

On the tongue, the beer opens dark, black, and ashy, rushing over the tastebuds in waves of black coffee, tobacco, and ash, enhanced with a black pepper and anise spice that emphasizes the burnt and bitter qualities. The sugars are somewhat less present here than in the nose, but there are still good rivers of cream and toffee running through the black meadows, giving the beer in some ways the same flavor profile as a shot of extra-strong espresso with whipping-grade heavy cream. Some flavors are lost in subsequent sips, the tastebuds perhaps simply overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the onslaught. Still, in subsequent sips the hops do make a larger appearance, bringing pine sap and bitterness. The ashy notes get stronger as the beer is held on the tongue and the sugars die off, and the aftertaste is heavily ash-based, lingering for a very long time. Mouthfeel is medium (though based on the flavors it feels like it should have more viscosity, which is somewhat surprising), and carbonation is medium-light to medium.

Overall, this is excellent Imperial Stout fare, though anyone not already a fan of big, black, ash-laden stouts will likely gag at the flavors. The beer really is like a cup of strong black coffee and a cigarette, as well as a small caramel candy held under the tongue. Personally, the combination is a huge success, and while I admit that the beer does perhaps suffer from what is perhaps an overabundance of ash (especially in the aftertaste, which becomes overwhelming at times), it still earns Clown Shoes a place of respect in my books.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 23:11:34 | More by jondeelee

beesy

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from. 22oz bomber with a bottle date f 12-2011

A - pours a deep brown, almost black with a 2 finger mdium btown had. Some lacing.

S - malty, roasty, lots of chocolate, small note of a nutty aroma.

T - awesome. Thr booze is not apparent at all for 10% abv. Creamy, sweet caramel malts wth some toast and maybe a touch of smoke mixed in. The malt and sweet caramels and roast are tund almost perfectly. No hops really detected anywhere.

M - creamy. A little thick but it does well with the abv.

D - way easier to drink than it should be. Sneaky.

Overall, I love this stout. Easy to drink and full flavored
Just wish I wish had bought another bottle to cellar a bit. I wish it had eithet a bit more hop bitternss or roasty bitterness, but its a damn fine beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 01:04:16 | More by beesy

StroppyMare

California

4.45/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought a bottle at Total Wine, poured into a nonic pint glass.

A: Nice, dark rich color. Slight tan head which left behind a nice bit of lacing.

S: Dark fruit dominated for me. Some malt and a bit of caramel. Not powerful, but promising.

T: Follows the nose. Sweet and sticky like prunes, raisins, currants. Malt, just the slightest coffee, a nice warming finish.

M: Probably this beer's lowest quality, though that doesn't mean bad. The carbonation started prickly but mellowed with warming. Not as oily as Stone's IRS, which might be my standard for these Imperial Stouts.

O: Very nice take on the style. A warm, happy sip.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 03:04:09 | More by StroppyMare

rab53

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep dark brown, almost black, with moderate mocha head. Smells of roasted malt and faint smoke. Head fades away after a few minutes. Taste is a blend of equal parts roasted/bitter malts, chocolate and smoke. Warming alcohol is felt but not tasted. Lightly carbonated leaving a smooth almost creamy mouthfeel. Pleasantly surprised with this one, will recommend.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 02:33:20 | More by rab53

eandersen

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours pitch black, can't really see through this one at all anywhere in the glass. Nice fluffy tan head that dissipates quickly and leaves some pretty nice lacing.

S- Lots of smoky malts, a bit of an espresso after smell but definitely a very strong smoke flavor. Very slight hint of alcohol suggesting the 10% ABV.

T- Definitely a smoky quality on the tongue also, but the taste is certainly sweeter than I expected from the smell. Maybe something to do with the lactose they add? Almost a black licorice quality. Very nice surprise. As the beer warms the smokiness starts to show itself more and begin to overtake the sweetness. While you certainly notice that the 10% is there it is by no means overwhelming, it mostly comes through as a warming sensation.

M- Very smooth, not too highly carbonated so its nice and thick, just like an imperial stout should be.

O- Very nice brew. I had an expectation of a purely smokey beer, but the depth of this one was a great surprise. Definitely recommending this one to some buddies.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 02:42:11 | More by eandersen

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

$9.50 bomber from Abe's.

Body is total blackness, topped by lighter than expected tan head, four fingers tall and level. Pleasing scattered lacing.

Aroma of roast coffee wrapped with whiffs of smoke. Inviting and assertive though not overly aggressive.

Taste has the coffee and also a major hit of intense chocolate syrup running through it. Taste of smoke follows. Nice hop bite at the swallow. Another dollop of chocolate leads the aftertaste.

Good thick rich mouthfeel, if not quite classic level.

A highly enjoyable double stout, and the mld smokiness is a nice touch. Worth trying. But if you're really looking to slay vampires, it needs garlic.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 04:20:10 | More by RonfromJersey

UCLABrewN84

California

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Jnorton00 for sending me this one!

Pours an opaque black with a 1 inch foamy dark khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Thin foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, coffee beans, and some slight smoke aromas. There is also a cinnamon aroma that comes out as the beer warms. Taste is of dark roasted malt, smoked malt, and coffee bean flavors. The alcohol comes out more as the beer warms. There is a nice roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a slight crispness with a medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good stout that rises above its gimmicky description for a really tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 02:08:55 | More by UCLABrewN84

JMad

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a pitch black with a huge foamy coffee colored head that left a lot of lacing and you could float a bottle cap on. The smell has lots of coffee and milk chocolate with an herbal hoppy background. It tastes of sweet molasses and bitter dark chocolate with coffee grinds and a slight citrusy bitterness. It's thick with low carbonation and a dry finish. This is an awesome beer, up there with the best imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 02:56:30 | More by JMad

Gushue3

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A. Pours dark brown and sits black in the glass. 2 finger light brown head forms and has nice retention. Lots of frothy lacing left around the glass and this looks pretty good.

S. Dark roast and sweet malts come through. Sweet bitterness takes the forefront but scent Isnt too strong

T. Nice dark malts come out upfront with milk chocolate and coffee bean roast. Bittersweet bakers chocolate toward the end and a nice light bitter finish. Pretty tasty

M. Higher side of medium feel that's surprisingly smooth and velvety. Light light carbonation and this is a great feel

O. Good imperial stout. flavor is great, cant wait to try some i a year or two

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 04:03:55 | More by Gushue3