Chocolate Sombrero - Clown Shoes

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz. bottle shared by Dave Guay. Pours slightly darker than cola with a creamy, half inch, tan-colored head. Nose expresses cocoa, lactose, cinnamon and a hint of spice. Taste consistent with nose; however, there is also slight vanilla presence and the chile flavors are also revealed, albeit somewhat subdued and in the background. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a lively carbonation and just a slight, residual heat from the chiles. I have to say that I like this beer more than I though I would. The flavors coalesce nicely without any aspects really over asserting. All and all a pretty nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 01:09:02 | More by Jwale73

Dhamma73

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-19-2013 19:11:08 | More by Dhamma73

afrokaze

California

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-18-2013 22:16:41 | More by afrokaze

Kreko7

California

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-18-2013 07:33:17 | More by Kreko7

megamass

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-18-2013 04:28:56 | More by megamass

pin

Australia

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-16-2013 19:45:13 | More by pin

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.89/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at Firkin.

This seems like a good companion to my spicy pork sandwich... It pours a straight onyx topped by a finger of tan foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, cocoa, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla bean. The taste brings in more of the same, though here the spices take a back seat to the stronger contingents of cocoa and roast. There ain't any peppers to be seen, though... The body is a hefty-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, a very nice spiced stout, but the lack of any chile character leaves me wanting a bit. Still, good times.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 16:01:20 | More by TMoney2591

crobinso

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-15-2013 01:28:54 | More by crobinso

beersvh23

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-13-2013 02:21:56 | More by beersvh23

Arsenal0328

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-13-2013 01:04:02 | More by Arsenal0328

mobrockman

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-12-2013 21:09:43 | More by mobrockman

2GOOFY

California

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-12-2013 14:49:04 | More by 2GOOFY

William85

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Based on the other reviews and the beer's marketing, I was expecting an unusual flavor profile with a strong finish (from the ancho chiles). However, I was a bit surprised by the subtlety of the flavors. The chiles were detectable, but their contribution was fairly minor; and I found the chocolate notes to be only slightly more prevalent than I would expect in any given American stout.

Overall, this is a very drinkable imperial stout which I would certainly recommend to anyone who likes the style; but its flavors weren't nearly as unusual/interesting as I had hoped they would be.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 20:20:49 | More by William85

Musineer

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-11-2013 00:47:20 | More by Musineer

JamesStreet

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-10-2013 18:49:50 | More by JamesStreet

PatGreer

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-09-2013 04:41:29 | More by PatGreer

ksimons

New York

4.29/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-almost black with no highlights and a fingers worth of dark tan head that leaves some lace on the glass

S-rich malt, lots of chocolate, and spicy cinnamon

T-chocolate malt, dark and milk chocolate, light roasted coffee, bit of vanilla sweetness, and chile spiciness to give it a bit of a kick at the finish

M-medium to full body, moderate carbonation, dry roasted mouthfeel

Overall I think Clown Shoes does some great beers and this is another one. Really love the chiles in this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 21:30:17 | More by ksimons

Hallertau

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-06-2013 03:46:04 | More by Hallertau

Halluxone

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-06-2013 01:30:19 | More by Halluxone

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-05-2013 00:27:27 | More by jayhunter357

shehateme

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-05-2013 00:18:04 | More by shehateme

In_Control_Mike

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-05-2013 00:17:30 | More by In_Control_Mike

BigJim5021

Indiana

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-04-2013 08:22:53 | More by BigJim5021

Jasonrm72

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-02-2013 19:51:04 | More by Jasonrm72

take_it_sleazy

Vermont

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from pint bottle into hill farmstead pint glass.

A: deep deep coffee color, almost black. pretty lively head that mellows out as soon as its poured. No real carbonation visible.

S: mild smokiness and not much else. Similar smell to otter creek's smokehouse porter, maybe not quite as strong.

T: a lot more pungent than the nose on this puppy. After an initial hit of chocolate, malty goodness, the chiles and vanilla make an appearance a bit later and mix extremely well with the malt to finish it off. Dont really get too much cinnamon coming through in this one. Overall, the flavor isn't too overpowering. A bit boozy at the end, which doesn't hurt.

M: pretty standard, but still great. Characteristic stout taste lingers on the tounge for a while, and isn't too thick. Very enjoyable and suprisigly drinkable stout at nearly 10 percent.

O: would recommend if it's available. Picked her up at a local beverage warehouse for 3 bucks and change. A nice, rich stout when enjoyed at an appropriate age. The rich cocoa is really the feature of this beer while chiles and vanilla sing in the background.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:01:24 | More by take_it_sleazy