Vampire Slayer - Clown Shoes

CharlesRamsey

California

3.15/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Like Kim Kardasian, looks are deceiving. A full body apperance, with a trunk full of junk. That is a little too harsh as i know how well reviewed this offering is, but you get my point. Flavor complexities that still need to be worked out, with high points of coffee grinds, burnt chocolate but a thin, syrupy mouthfeel that missed the richness of some others. The dark, thin head stayed, with low carbonation that needed more balance for me to want to try it again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 02:00:37 | More by CharlesRamsey

SweetBrown

California

3.18/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

I don't always drink stout, but when I do, it will most likely not be another Vampire Slayer. The color was a mix of dark raspberry and dark roast coffee beans, with a thin layer of foam, which on looks alone, seemed very promising. However, upon first sip, I found it somewhat syrupy and not as smooth as its looks, with taste notes that was a cross between black licorice and soy sauce. This was not a thirst quencher, but more like a meal. For these same reasons, it's probably a great drink for those who appreciate a good hearty imperial stout. As a fan of True Blood, glad I tried it, but may have been too big of a bite for this IPA-er.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2013 01:45:50 | More by SweetBrown

Halcyondays

California

3.99/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On-tap at Beachwood I,

A: Pours a deep dark black with a medium slightly off-white head, not as dark as Unidragon. Some spotty lace, nice look.

S: 80% dark cocoa count chocolate bar to a T. One-dimensional, but it does it well.

T: More classic on the flavour profile. Roasted malt, some dark bread, notes of dark chocolate with a hint of espresso.

M: Creamy, smooth, medium/full-bodied, easy drinking for its size.

O: Not as interesting as the Unidragon, but a solid effort nonetheless. I enjoyed trying this one from Clown Shoes, don't know why their bombers have to be so expensive.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 23:38:05 | More by Halcyondays

socon67

New York

4.24/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Mugs Alehouse in Brooklyn

A - Jet black pour with a nice brown cola colored foam. Macing was impressive in rings on the glass.

S - smells of licorice, berries, dark fruits, and chocolate hit the nose. Very complex mix of scents, and extremely pleasant.

T - Flavors match the smell. There is many complex notes that just seem to come together well. Sweet blackberries and currants (or figs) combine with milk chocolate and a touch of anise in the finish. Maybe this was a good keg but this was really tasty.

M - Very rich and became more of a sipper over time. While not syrupy thick this was a rich beer that left its mark. One glass shouls be enough unless you have time to kill.

O - I'd buy a bottle of this. And if I did I'd let it sit for a while to see how it mellowed.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 20:40:52 | More by socon67

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass at World of Beer.

A: Darkest brown and totally opaque.

S: Creamy bitter-sweet.

T: Fruity, sweetish, and molasses. Heavy cream; quite rich. Flavor is only moderate and not unexpected.

M: Rich.

O: Good imperial stout, but fairly plain. Wouldn't recommend it, but it's definitely serviceable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2012 02:44:27 | More by AgentMunky

jera1350

Minnesota

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

On tap at The Happy Gnome.

Served in a tulip, solid black, minimal head of dark colored foam. Sweet and mildly roasted malt nose. The flavor has a nice medium sweetness to it. Light chocolate, coffee, roasted malts with a hint of smoked malt. Very smooth and feels lighter than 10%. Surely would not have guessed this to be that high of an abv because the alcohol is not detected at all. Overall a very nice imperial stout that drinks quite easily.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 18:58:51 | More by jera1350

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Cask Republic, served in an oversized snifter.

A: PItch black body with clear crimson highlights around only the very edges when held up to direct light; on top lies a half-inch of dense light-brown head that settles into a thin cap and solid ring, leaving spotty lace. Quite nice.

S: Intense, roasty, and smoky. Lots of wood smoke, dark chocolate, coffee, and molasses. Some earthy hop notes, too. Really well-integrated and impressive.

T: Opens with bitter coffee and smoke, followed by burnt molasses, bakers chocolate, and a relatively bitter finish that combines hoppiness and brownie batter. Some hints of dark fruit dance in the background, but this is mainly about the smoke, roast, and hops. Impressively devoid of booze. I'm really, really enjoying it.

M: No thicker than medium-bodied, but with plenty of creamy mouth-filling carbonation. All right.

O: I've been generally underwhelmed by Clown Shoes offerings since they came into CT, but thought I'd give this a shot given its solid reviews. I wasn't disappointed - it's an extremely good imperial stout.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 21:41:17 | More by woosterbill

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on draft, poured into a narrow tulip. About a finger of tan head recedes after a few minutes leaving pleanty of cling, but nothing else. Looks awesome. Blacker than coffee. I don't really smell anything -- chocolate and maybe some light malt/molasses, but not much (smell increases over time to incorporate warm chocolate and booze). Taste is awesome. Chocolate, coffee, molasses and a bit of smoke and tobacco, yum. Mouthfeel is very nice, smooth with prefect amount of bitterness. Overall this is a great beer, wish it smelled a bit more intense, would love to have this agian. Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2012 21:26:54 | More by rodlavers

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at TJ's the other day.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose prototypical RIS goodness, with considerable dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla and licorice. The licorice is a bit more prominent than usual for a RIS, and that's even more the case on the palate. The beer is a bit on the sweet side, which seemed to bring out all the more the licorice I'm picking up in this beer. Mouthfeel was a bit on the thin side, which surprised me given the abv. in this beer. Otherwise, the finish was long, sweet and licorice filled.

Was excited to try this beer when I saw it on the menu at TJ's. However, I can't say I was exactly bowled over by the beer, though it was decent. Oh well...

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2012 16:34:35 | More by johnmichaelsen

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a deep black color. It had a thin brown colored head on top. The smell of the beer gave off some nice roasted malt aromas along with some interesting chocolate and coffee note. The taste was roasted with a light sweetness up front along with some bitter coffee notes finishing it off. The mouthfeel had a good amount of body to it, there were some light bubbles in there to break up the oily texture just a bit. Overall it's a good beer and I would enjoy having it again some day.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2012 02:33:09 | More by Knapp85

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On Tap at Blue Dog.

Vampire Slayer goes in the glass looking black like a stout. Black as night with a tannish head up above with splotches. Nice retention. Smell is Very roasted malt forward. A pungent scent ala Storm King. Some old world character,dark fruit with some coffee and licorice and bakers chocolate. Tasting this, It's apparent this is a big ass stout. Chocolate, coffee, licorice, cocco nibs, a hint of alcohol. One thing about these clown Shoes beers is that the alcohol is hidden very well in most offerings. Feel is full, carb is there, goes down smooth with a bit of warming. Glad I had it on tap because 22oz's of this would of been a chore.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 06:05:14 | More by onix1agr

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Jacob Wirth's
Pours a solid black color with a creamy white head that shows great retention and lace. Smells of chocolate, coffee, and roast mostly. A modest earthy hop provides little balance. Tastes is roasty and chocolatey as advertised in the aroma. Creamy smooth silky mouthfeel. medium body with a moderate level of carbonation. Nice stout, like a creamy mocha shake, I need to find some bottles of this.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 17:19:39 | More by johnnnniee

cbutova

Massachusetts

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

A- Pitch black pour with a dark mocha head of about a finger in size. Good retention and a nice coat of creamy lace.

S- Dark roast malts and cocoa chocolate chip up front. Slight amount of dark fruit and alcohol.

T- Follows the nose with more of a cherry and spice presence. Nice straight up RIS with chocolate, roast malt and caramel grain notes.

MF- Lower end carbonaton in a creamy moderately thick body. Finishes warm and roast bitter.

Nice drinkable RIS with good cocoa and fruit notes. Not sure about the holy water but its a good beer for sure. Maybe ill spontaneously combust once finished.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2012 23:42:35 | More by cbutova

beechner224

Florida

4.56/5  rDev +10.1%
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

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.45/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip. Pours a deep black, 3/4 inch head, decent lacing. Thick and nice.

Milk chocolate, citrus, caramel, cherry and candy sugar make up most of the smell. This is going to be a sweet stout.

Wow! Tons of flavor. Creamy milk chocolate, slight roasted coffee, vanilla and cumquat at the start. Some earthy hops round the middle, hint of booze with a creamy chocolate finish. Smooth and creamy body. Very, very silky in the mouth.

Another score from Clown Shoes. I can't wait to age some of this goodness!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 05:37:52 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

Oxymoron

Colorado

3.84/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Shared with a few friends. Pours a midnight black color with no visibility to speak of. A velvet darker tan head color with good retention and lacing throughout the tasting.

The aroma is roast forward with some malt backing. Light soy sauce and caramel and bready notes. Some estery notes with plum and raisins and strong rose peddles. A light licorice, nutty and and vanilla extract notes. Some noticeable yeasty notes with a light dirty drains.

The taste is similar. The roast comes out up front but not as dominant as the nose. More chocolate and munich malt notes come out. Some off nutty characters as well. The esters are more expressive with a sweet plum and raisin with a sweet cherry undertone. There is a molasses character as well, that leaves a hint of metallic that lingers. Soy sauce in the finish is a bit of a distraction but the yeast undertones back off.

The body is full with a lingering sweetness. A bit boozy with some lingering heat. Carbonation is light but ok for style. Some metallic and soy sauce in the finish but overall a decent Imp Stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:52:33 | More by Oxymoron

Beaver13

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle. Pours dark brown black with a small tan head that goes to a thin film and laces the glass.

The aroma is roasted chocolate malts, some honey and a little cardboard.

The flavor is sweet chocolate malt with a lot of roast (bitter with some coffee) and a little vinous alcohol. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation.

Overall, a decent imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 06:13:28 | More by Beaver13

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A cold April night calls for something dark before the summer weather starts to roll around.

A: Supreme black body, juxtaposed to the thinner-than-usual texture on the pour (in other words, it doesn’t look like molasses). Small, dark tan head with little lacing.

S: Deep sugars dissipate into the room’s atmosphere as soon I open the bottle: melted baker’s chocolate, syrupy vanilla, and chewy brownie batter, all enticing. As it warms, burnt sugar, charred oak, and raisin appear, rounded off with warm aroma of dark liquor – spiced rum, maybe? At any rate, this thing is dominated by chocolate; a monster of a sugary nose.

T: Built for the sweet tooth within all of us, the palate arrives with a sophisticated crème brulee-type flavor of burnt, syrupy vanilla. From there, a taste of dark chocolate signals a transition, paving the way for a bitter display of leafy hops (tea-like in their astringency), burnt biscuit, and Irish coffee. And with that, the smoke begins to appear: like a traditional rauchbier, there’s a liquid bacon quality all the way through, but the dominant tastes is a sawdusty, metallic smokiness. It’s very well-received by the palate, bouncing off the hops and roasts to keep the sugars from conquering the taste buds. Surprisingly, it finishes like it started, with a sugar buzz; this time, though, it’s like that aftertaste you get with Coca-Cola.

M: This is light for an imperial stout, but medium-heavy overall. There’s just a small amount of fizzy carbonation as it goes down, with an oily texture and no discernible heat.

O: At first sip, this beer was great; the more I started drinking it, though, the rauch tastes really cut into the impact of the roasts and the residual sugars, leaving the whole palate a bit subdued. That said, even at “subdued” levels, this beer does not disappoint, and not only because it’s one of the only stouts like this I’ve tasted – it really is satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 04:05:41 | More by BarryMFBurton

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.81/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Solid, but modest head. Leaves streaks of lace...a bit of webbiness. Near black where no light shines through.

Soft mocha aroma. Relatively mild.

The alcohol comes through in the taste. The body is neutral for the style. The carbonation is similar. Semi-sweet chocolate is the predominant flavor. I do not detect much hop. The alcohol warms the swallow, but the aftertaste is short with a touch of chalkiness.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 23:38:54 | More by smcolw

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

This is the second in the Anniversary Ale series. If I'm not mistaken though, this will be generally available year round. The appearance is nearly perfect, black as night with a pillow of fluffy tan sitting on top, coating the glass with sticky lace all the way through. It smells beautiful, with vanilla extract and dark fruits being subdued by roasted grains and dark chocolate. The aroma does nothing to suggest how smoky this brew really is. As a fan of Rauchbier, this was much to my delight. The initial punch of bittersweet chocolate, caramel and dash of espresso is followed by an even more bitter dryness and charred feel. It's very boozy, I am feeling slightly buzzed already after drinking down this bomber myself. Perhaps I rushed a bit because it's so good! Recommended to share with or a friend or when you are feeling like staying in and enjoying a rich & decadent treat!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 18:42:03 | More by Neorebel

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Pours pure jet black with a medium to large brown head. Retention and lacing are awesome, keeping more than just a thin film on top and leaving a lattice pattern down the side of the glass. Thick and enticing to look at.

S- Lots of dark chocolate hits the nose immediately. Huge semi-sweet scents from the chocolate. Chocolate is so dark that there is definitely a fruity scent going on too. Hints of dark malts at the end of the scent bring back some big stout bitterness.

T- Follows the scent to the tee. Starts with some sweet and semi-sweet chocolate intermingled with dark fruit. Dark fruit flavors meld into some more sweet chocolate flavors before turning darker and bitter with deep malt flavors. Ends with a slight, coffee-like bite.

M- Thick and not terribly creamy for an impy stout. The high level of carbonation makes it feel less heavy and thick. Alcohol is very well hidden.

Overall, a very good imperial stout with big chocolate flavors. Dark fruit flavors made this one a little different and interesting. I couldn't taste the holy water that the label promised.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 23:51:15 | More by boilermakerbrew

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.59/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Portion of a 22 oz bottle into a Hunahpu's snifter (Momar42 to the rescue!) From notes.

A: Pours a very dark brown color. The tan-colored head had no real chance to form given the smallish pour.

S: Notes of soy, chocolate, roasted malt, licorice, and smoke abound. Really a nice aroma in general.

T: A smoky opening turns chocolaty in the midtaste and finishes with licorice and umami qualities. Nothing crazy, but a damn solid smoked IS.

M: It could use a bit more density and creamy smoothness. On the plus side, the alcohol is hidden from the palate quite well.

O: This one is very good, but not great. I prefer Blaecorn Unidragon to this.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 07:30:44 | More by ThisWangsChung

Zorro

California

3.85/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very dark brown ale with a normal sized brown colored head.

Smell is sweet and malty with a strong Kahlua aroma. Booze and patent malt with a trace smoke and char. Quite a bit of ethanol and it does a good job of freeing up aroma. Caramel, coconut and chocolate mix to the point you can smell German Chocolate Cake with a cup of coffee in this.

Starts out mildly sweet and smooth with a bittersweet burnt sugar taste. Thinner than you would think, bakers chocolate and Starbucks coffee. Tastes OK.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Overall an OK beer. Smells better than it tastes.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 00:38:53 | More by Zorro

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.06/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

We've had Clown Shoes around here for awhile, but I never have seen this one on the shelves until very recently. Snagged up a bottle as soon as I saw it as this is one I've wanted to try for awhile. Poured into a snifter.

I let this warm up for about 15 minutes out of the fridge before I poured. Pours hesitantly out of the bottle - a slow glug. A pleasant dark tan head sits on top, but fleets away quickly. Leaves tiny bits of lace stuck to the glass. Sweet aromas of milk chocolate, vanilla cookies, booze, roasted nuts. A nice profile for sure.

This beer is a little disappointing in the mouth. Drinks much thinner than I expected from a big bold beer. Light carbonation, slick finish. Needs more "chew" to this to stand up to the flavors and ABV. This is one of the sweeter Impy Stouts I've had in awhile. Milk chocolate is for sure the main player, sweet from start to finish. Light char flavor melds in well, and finishes with a whisper of boozy aftertaste.

Good beer for sure that I'd revisit as I loved the flavor. But they need to tweak the mouthfeel a bit to give this one just a little more girth.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 13:12:47 | More by Onenote81

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured dark brown-black, translucent around the edges, transient head and no lace. Smells of roasted caramel malt and chocolates. Taste is toasted marshmallows, charred toast, semisweet chocolate, hint of anise, dark roast coffee, dark cherries, interplay of light bitterness and light sweetness. Medium body, velvety mouthfeel, mildly carbonated. Very tasty although the body is a little lighter than I expected. Good one.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 03:30:46 | More by JackieTH