Tag: Clown Shoes Beer

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Review – Clown Shoes Galactica

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Yes, I am deeply afraid of clowns.  But I am growing fonder thanks to the beers of Clown Shoes from Massachusetts. The Sci-Fi heroine on the label points to a hoppy concoction from the hop staff she wields.  Galactica pours a bright orange color. Thin head on this one, a quick dissipation of bubbles. A bit of caramel on the nose with some slight citrus behind it. My initial taste is of grape and grape juice. And that taste doesn’t fade as it warms up.  It is almost like a grape barley wine. Good little sparkle to it as well so it doesn’t get too cloying.  I would like to see this in an XPA version to get a little more of the hop character.  As is, it is more an East Coast big malt bill that leads the way.

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The Terrible Real Estate Photos blog is my new favorite site (after mine of course).  Photo after photo of some really bad home shots that shouldn’t have seen the light of day.  Hit the delete button people!  Or better yet, don’t.  I love reading the pithy little comments below each one.

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Review – Hoppy Feet from Clown Shoes

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Clown Shoes got off on the wrong foot (pun intended) with me.  Some of their names seemed chosen for shock value and attention.  Plus ever since Stephen King’s “It”, clowns and I don’t mix.  Even when my dad started donning clown make-up to entertain at his church, I was still spooked.  But now, since some of their beers are wending their way to Los Angeles, I had to put the maxim of “It’s the beer” first and forget the backstory.  So on to Hoppy Feet….

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For me, a good black IPA has an equal balance between roast and hops. Not many get that. But happily Hoppy Feet does. Good citrus bitter notes intermingle with the the medium (not milk-not dark) chocolate notes. And it packs a punch of bubbles and hops that melts into a caramel taste at the very end.  But the balance remains from the first sip to the last.

Oh and in my new tradition, here is what I am doing outside of craft beer.  Reading The Capital of the World about the race to be the city to host the United Nations.  South Dakota had a moment where it might have been the place instead of New York.  Crazy.  And I am still raving about Much Ado About Nothing.  It may not be playing anymore since it is the silly blockbuster season and the White House has to be saved by Channing Tatum but when it comes out on video/streaming, watch it.  Funny stuff and a classic story.

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Review – Clown Shoes Clementine White Ale

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Three things right off the bat before I review Clown Shoes Beer’s Clementine:

1. I do not like clowns.  Ever since Stephen King’s IT.  So, the name scares me off.

2. Not a fan of some of their beer names.  Tramp Stamp, Muffin Top, Lubrication and Flight of the Pimp seem more attention grabbing than anything.  On the other hand, I like Hoppy Feet.

3. The label art seems to feed into the attention grabbing and talk about me on Facebook good AND bad mode that says to me, that the beer can’t sell itself.

But, with that being said.  I am clearing my mind and pouring this beer with a good name and nice-simple label into a glass.

Lot’s of bubbles here.  Color is tinting towards orange though primarily yellow.  Good amount of foam here.  Aroma gives off a candied orange peel note of medium strength.  The taste is straight up spicy.  Lots of coriander going on here.  But the orange taste sticks.  Almost to the point of creamsicle orange before it pulls back.  Those two competing flavor notes work well together in this effort.  One of the better and punchier white ales that I have had in a while.  I’m glad Sunset Beer Co. had started getting these beers in so that I can take stock of the beer inside.

And here is the info from the Clown Shoes website…..

“Light-bodied and crisp, this is a terrific White Ale with plenty of zest! Hazy in appearance and healthily carbonated, it utilizes Chambly yeast to energetically shape its wheat malt base. Incorporated in the brewing process is Clementine, sweet orange peel, a hint of Coriander, and Summit hops.”

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Clown Shoes at LAX

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This Friday, April 12 at 6:30 pm. Another Epic Tasting hosted by Larry James will take place at the Four Points Sheraton aka The Beer Hotel “including three of the best Hoppy Session Beers, a Mystery Beer (you be the judge!) and Clown Shoes Beer – seven wicked good beers from Ipswich, Mass.”
You will only need to RSVP and pay $30 which includes all tastes and parking!

Three of the best hoppy session beers you’ll ever taste.

plus…

a Mystery Beer – put your beer judge hat on. What is it and where did it come from?

plus…

Clown Shoes Brewing
– Clementine
– Tramp Stamp
– Brash Item 9
– Muffin Top
– Chocolate Sombrero
– Vampire Slayer
– Porcine Unidragon

If you haven’t tried the Four Points yet, this unique tasting would be an ideal introduction to their hospitality.