Vampire Slayer - Clown Shoes

ksimons

New York

4.47/5  rDev +8%
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 +7.5%
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

jsh420

Illinois

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

pours dark dark brown with a 1+ finger tan head that left spotted lacing

smells of smokey roasted chocolate malt

taste is just like the nose but the this stout has a little milk flavor along with the roasted smokey chocolate malt plus some dark fruit flavors

mouthfeel is a medium heavy body that is velvety smooth and creamy

overall - this stout rocks and one i would not age - these smoked stouts do not age well imo - very impressed and if i get the chance i will pick another bottle up to drink before winter is over

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 07:01:38 | More by jsh420

beerenjoyer1

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

New arrival at our local beer store.

A - Beer pours black and has slight foam which dissapates in short order. When the beer is swirled in the glass it leaves a thick layer along the glass.

S - Definite smell of coffee, malts, and smoky aromas.

T - Very nice, malts, slight hops, but somewhat thick taste and a malt/hop aftertaste with the smoky flavor lingering.

M - Again, very nice. A medium imperial stout mouthfeel, not as heavy as some imperial stouts.

O - I really like this beer. I consider all the attributes to be a definite re-purchase for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 03:13:32 | More by beerenjoyer1

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a 16 oz. snifter.

A- Pours black with a 2 finger tan head. Excellent lacing remains on the glass.

S- Roasted malts, bitter chocolate, and slight smokiness.

T- Smoked roasted malts, bitter chocolate, and some bitter pine hops at the finish.

M- Medium body, nice creaminess to the beer which makes it very drinkable at 10%.

O- Another great beer by Clown Shoes. Great roasted malt and chocolate notes along with the creaminess make this a great imperial stout I could drink regularly.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 04:01:41 | More by kawilliams81

TenHornsProud

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a solid black with a big tan head that lingers.

Smells big of chocolate...like a chocolate milkshake, with coffee notes, some citrus hop character. Really big nose actually, can smell it from across the table. Nice.

Taste is up front caramel, chocolate, chalky, that fades into a slightly smoky/roasted character, and ends on a hop bitter and roasted note. Lingering flavors of coffee, and chocolate...must be heavy on the black patent or similar grain. The astringent roasted character is present but not too out of balance.

Medium to heavy body with medium to lower carbonation. Alcohol is well balanced but present...feels a bit thin in the finish.

A nice imperial stout that is big on the chocolate and roasted flavors. It is lacking something to make it truly exceptional, but is still worth drinking.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 23:48:49 | More by TenHornsProud

NEhophead

Massachusetts

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

22 fl oz brown bottle served in a snifter.

Syrupy chocolate in color beneath a creamy, porous light brown head that recedes inside out. Very nice thin and condensed lacing.

Dark chocolate with a bitter nose. Notes of oak with a light smokey quality. A whiskey type of alcohol quality compliments the woody aspect.

Milk and dark chocolate with a very hefty bitter quality from beginning to end. The oak and wooden quality is reinforced at all turns: stiff floral hops, almonds/peanuts, scotch, etc. The alcohol presence is apparent, but not overpowering. Dry and bitter in the finish, with a nutty aftertaste.

Full bodied; predominantly dry on the palate.

An atypical Double Stout, but no less exciting. Unique and definitely one that I would return. Watch out for the 10% ABV, the dry, nutty, bitter flavors really mask it.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 01:55:33 | More by NEhophead

angusblackheart

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottled December, 2011

Black. No light shines through. Big milk chocolate head. Tons of lace!

Smells of chocolate, roast, and smoke.

The taste is an amazing combo of sweet milk chocolate, dark chocolate, balancing bitterness, and the hickory smoke shines through.

Thick and creamy.

I have enjoyed all I have tried from Clown Shoes so far. This might be the best one yet!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 16:11:18 | More by angusblackheart

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Watching some 40oz Crew vids on YouTube and rockin' a new smoked stout. Good times. This stuff pours a straight onyx topped by over a finger of dark tan foam. ...Maybe it's light sienna... Anyway, the nose comprises heavy chocolate syrup with a twinge of smokey peppers in the distance. Simple, but damn enjoyable! The taste holds notes of dark chocolate/cocoa, mild mesquite smoke, roasted malts, light char, and a nice vein of molasses. Nice. The body is a strong medium/light hefty, with a light moderate carbonation and a lightly syrupy/lightly chewy feel. Overall, a very nice stout, one whose smokey components are subdued without being fully subservient (humble, perhaps, is a better word) and the whole thing coming together tastily. Good times, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 03:33:07 | More by TMoney2591

silentjay

Massachusetts

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

pours a dark brown that settles to black with a sizable big-bubbled head thats a darker mocha color, sticks around a bit and laces well.

heavily roasted malts bring on a cacao powder scent. a bit of char and smoke and some woody and earthy hops bring memories of a campfire deep in the woods. smoke takes a back seat which is good as I'm not a fan of overly smokey beers. some coffee and caramel and burnt grains.

a very powdery cacao flavor starts things out very nicely. gets sweetened up by some caramel and molasses flavors, goes a bit bitter with coffee and chocolate. the earthy and woody hops get an herbal kick as well. Finishes dry and charred, but not smokey (at least not in the bacon-y way that I despise).

not the thickest stout I've had (must be the holy water) with a subtle carbonation that suits the style well.

Another excellent beer from Clown Shoes. I prefer the blaecorn unidragon better, but this one is tasty in its own right.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 05:27:58 | More by silentjay

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought this yesterday at Harringtons, the 22oz bottle costing me $8.95 (though the net was only $5.60 after my bottle-return refund was factored in!). Digging in today while watching some NFL playoff action.

Poured into a small tulip, the bier color was an opaque black, dense and dark, and the head was a creamy layer of mocha-hued foam. The topping ebbed to leave some mousse-like wisps here and there, mostly at the edges, with some solid lacing left behind. The aroma is lovely, with enticing roasty notes mixed up with some dark choco. Mouthfeel was quite good, with a medium-plus body and a silky smoothness on the tongue. I do wish it had more heft to the body, though.

The flavor kicks-off like a chocolate shake infused with mocha. There's a touch of bitter coffee action, but the sweetness prevails in the end. A very subtle smidge of smokiness is detected if you look for it. I might not have noticed had the label not mentioned its presence. The hopping found here is quite floral, with a pronounced hop bitterness lingering long on the palate. And, about three-quarters through the bottle, I am having a hard time finding the 10% ABV listed here. Whoa!

This 2nd Anniversary Clown Shoes offering is pretty damn tasty, though I wish it were a touch cheaper (I'll take Smutty RIS at $3 less per bottle!). Prosit!!

4.35/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1430

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 20:07:02 | More by Bierman9

pwsoldier

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pitch black with a modest tan head. Lacing is plentiful.

S - Smokey with undertones of vanilla, dark chocolate, and freshly-cut wood.

T - Very smokey up front with bitter dark chocolate and espresso coming through in the finish. Complexity is enhanced by notes of anise and a touch of vanilla throughout. Some spicy wood notes come through as it warms, complimenting the smoke nicely.

M - Full-bodied and rich with a lingering smokey aftertaste.

O - A very well-done smoked impy stout. It's a shame that this is a one-time release. I'll definitely be buying more of this stuff while it's around.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 02:25:09 | More by pwsoldier

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks for sharing, John. Poured into NB globe...

A- Beautiful black liquid sitting with a large brown dense head. Laces nicely and coats the glass. Quite impressive glass appeal.

S- Very balanced aroma- charred roast, caramel, slight fig, popcorn, hints of diacetyl. Has some hidden grassy, dank "cousin" aroma as well.

T/M- Solid Clown Shoes offering here. More ethanol in the flavor that wasn't detected by the nose. Burnt toast edges roastiness, crackers, even raisins and some sweet Rollo additions. Finishes with a lingering bitterness, hops and roast alike. Great body, full and slick. Coats the mouth and really pushes through the flavor on the palate.

O- I can see why this is best beer from Clown Shoes. Balanced and full of flavor. One of the better available imperial stouts that isn't some crazy -bal or special release version. Really makes me eager to try a Blaecorn which should be on it's way! Really wish I could give a 4.25... Also, holy water? Really?? Ok, Brewdog...

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 00:57:30 | More by TheGordianKnot

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Opaque black with a coffee ice cream head. Bubbly like a cauldron.

Smells roasty, dark and acrid with sugary edges. More burnt wood than smoke. Tastes like roast malt chocolate frozen yogurt. Char in back gets to be a bit much. Not bad but I can think of 20 imperial stouts available at my local beer store that are better than this.

There's a big hubbub over the use of holy water in this beer. I don't know that it's any different than a kosher Hebrew beer but my girlfriends Catholic and says it is.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 01:42:45 | More by donkeyrunner

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a darker colored rich creamy 1/2 finger head that fades very slowly with some lacing, over pretty much pitch black beer, I don't really see light getting through.

Nose comes with plenty of dark malts, roasted malts first with a definite roasted barely aroma, light coffee grinds, a hint of smoke, and some chocolate with darker chocolate. I think I even get some black patent, and a light creamy baker's chocolate, as well as hints of earthy hops.

Taste brings more dark malts, roast and smoke mainly. Roasted barley brings some bitterness, a bit of coffee, very light briny burnt salty roast flavor. Then some smoke with hints of smoked meat and campfire, also bringing a bit of bitterness and briny taste. Also some black patent malt brings the darkness. That is all followed by a light nougat flavor and chocolate, with hints of caramel remind me of a Milky Way candy bar. It's got a big fluffy rich malty feel with the nougat, and a bit of milk chocolate, some oats, and a light earthy hop kick. A light powdered cocoa rounds off the beer as it finishes drier but sticky and mouth coating, plenty more dark malts roasty and little smoke, little caramel on the finish. Then the hops and bitterness kick in again, a strong spicy hop and briny bitterness from the roast and smoked malts linger for a long time, which seem to sink into the mouth as it just sits there coating every surface.

Mouth is huge, big full rich bodied, mouth coating, think, fluffy nougat and almost syrupy but not quite, a hint of booze is there somewhere but most drowned out by all the malts and bitterness, and decent carb.

Overall pretty good, lots of dark malts blended well, light smoke, plenty of roast, chocolate, caramel, then earthy spicy hops, all help to down out the alcohol as it's 10% but doesn't drink like it. The only downfall is the briny light burnt bitterness from all the roasted malts in it, but this is much better than most at that. I think a few of these in the cellar will be nice. This reminds me a lot of Goose Island Night Stalker.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 20:45:41 | More by jlindros

rab53

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +7%
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

tzieser

Arizona

4.55/5  rDev +9.9%
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

Dope

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A very dark brown pour, almost pure black. Beautiful dense bubbly chocolate milk colored head. Good lacing. Excellent retention.

S: Very smoky up front but not unpleasant. Smells like hickory, not old cigars like too many other smoky beers. Followed by some strong roasted malt. Coffee notes and a little bit of chocolate. Great combination - a treat to smell.

T: As in the smell, lots of hickory smoke. Nice roasted malt and bitter coffee and chocolate to round it out. The hickory is a bit over the top unfortunately, the smoke is trying to overpower the other delicious flavors.

M: Smooth, clean, creamy. Not as heavy as I would expect from a 10% beer to be honest.

O: Good, but I'm not a fan of smoky beers. I tried to be objective at not mark it down too badly. If you like big stouts and smoke, this beer is for you. Could easily be all 4.5s/5s for a smoke lover.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 06:29:29 | More by Dope

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.47/5  rDev +8%
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

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +8%
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

Gushue3

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +6.3%
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

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