Chocolate Sombrero - Clown Shoes

maximum12

Minnesota

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

And....Clown Shoes comes to Minnesota. In a marketplace that's growing more crowded by the nanosecond, I passed on their IPAs because they've already been sitting around for months. But a tasty-sounding stout? I'll try that. 22 ounces split with my wife.

Pour is routine black. routine carbonation: indeed, it looks stoutish. The Sombrero smells really nice, chile, chocolate, sweet malt melded together nicely. No hairs, no sweat. That's good.

Chocolate Sombrero tastes like something I can't quite put my pinky on, but what it reminds me of is what coffee would taste like, if it tasted good. What there is, is a pleasing number of layers to this brew. Surprisingly roasty, given that I could detect no roast in the aroma. The chiles lend a backdrop of spiciness without generating heat. The chocolate that shows is bitter & angry, lashing the mid-palate; the bitterness, either chocolate or light hopping, sticks. Finish is more roast that rolls smooth through the chiles. Advertised vanilla was not noted in this bottle. But I do believe I've finished half my half in about six minutes, so that's, well, good drinking.

One of the better new stouts I've had lately that I'd never even heard of. This concoction works, period, & I'll be out to grab another bottle. Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:12:37 | More by maximum12

langchops

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-20-2013 16:49:11 | More by langchops

potownbill

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-20-2013 13:21:52 | More by potownbill

brycevolk

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-20-2013 12:26:45 | More by brycevolk

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