Clown Shoes Beer Chocolate Sombrero American Double/Imperial Stout at 9% ABV ($11.39 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650ml, 28-Apr-2014)
Pours near-solid black with faint ruby brown around the margins, two fingers of fluffy beige head diminishing gradually to a thick cap, moderate to heavy lacing (4/5). Nose is dark roasty malts, chile, dark chocolate, faint vanilla and spices (8/10). Taste is moderate sweetness and moderate bitter, building chile spice (7/10). Medium to full body, slightly syrupy and oily, low carbonation, lingering bitter spicy finish (4/5).
Not bad. I’ve had other chile spice beers in the past that were sufficiently bad that I concluded I must have had a bad bottle, sink poured and didn’t rate. This one is actually quite palatable, with only a very mild hint of chile heat playing nicely with the chocolate malt – almost reminiscent of chile chocolate bars. The high ABV is integrated well and doesn’t contribute any harshness. Not sure I’d rush out and buy another, but I’m not unhappy I tried it. (16/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
