Clown Shoes Beer - Ipswich, Massachusetts USA
Imperial Stout (ABV 9%)

[Suggested Glassware: Snifter]

Rating: 3.9/5.0

Aroma: 7/10
Appearance: 4/5
Taste: 8/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 16/20

The pour was a very dark muddy brown with an average (1-2 finger) tan creamy head that had great retention, reducing slightly to a small cap and possessed excellent sheeting of lacing that coated the entire glass.

The aroma was of a burnt chocolate malt, light resin hops and an earthy yeast with notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, vanilla, chili peppers, a hint of smoke and a moderate alcohol presence.

The taste was good and roasty with a nice malty-sweetness and a touch of chocolate throughout, progressing slightly with a mild bitter charred flavor with notes of coffee, a spicy chili bite and a hint of cinnamon ate the end. The flavor lasted an average time following the swallow, with a spicy alcohol warming sensation and a nice roastiness left behind.

Mouthfeel was almost full in body with a creamy, oily texture and a somewhat medium carbonation.

Overall this was a brew with a very nice complexity derived from all the flavors converging upon one another, which as it turned out created a really tasty and well balanced Stout with a superb drinkability...

Sampled: 12/29/2012
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