7

Super velvet smooth.

8.4

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Pitch black, fully opaque body with a deep oily glow and a strong dark purple tint, all with the faintest sliver of a light brown head on top, perhaps half a centimetre, but probably not even that. Strong anise, licorice, roasted malt, pitted fruit, fig, raisin and especially molasses scents that make this very deep with a bunch of earthy malt, some specialty grains (I suppose rye?) with a lot of alcohol warmth throughout. Full-bodied; Strong rich anise and licorice flavours start at first with a little bit of tobacco and lightly smoked notes that then show a ton of sweetness, mainly from the molasses, but also from the pitted fruits, raisins and pure caster sugar sweetness. Aftertaste shows some light lactose, a heavy hand of earthy and rich malts with a lot of spice components showing anise and canella with a bunch of sweetness from the vanilla, caster sugar, caramelised sugars and an insane amount of molasses. Overall, a very strong, super smooth and incredibly sweet beer with bunches of flavours and robust qualities, yet somehow easy-to-drink, perhaps given the time that I aged it, but another two or three years would only help more. I sampled this 65 cL bottle purchased from Total Wine in Manassas, Virginia on 31-January-2018 for US$11,49 sampled at my house here in Washington, almost exactly two years later on 01-February-2020. 2017 Vintage // Purchased: 31-January-2018 // Sampled: 01-February-2020

7.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 9

Black beer, small beige head, aroma is malt, roast, rye, whisky, chocolate, taste is the same, smooth creamy, chocolate, very nice

8.6

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Anytime I spot an untasted Clown Shoes imperial stout, I buy it. They consistently deliver the goods. I acquired this 22 oz bottle at the local HEB supermarket early in the winter and have cooled it in the fridge to try it now. Using my New Belgium .47 liter globe glass, I make the pour. It arrives a thick, tuxedo black with a decent, light tan head, nice carbonation continuously. The nose is swell, I find dark chocolate and something herbal. The taste, jeez, mighty fine. Here there is a dense chocolate shake effect, molasses, toasted bread, a bit of caramel. A boozy background, that must be the rye barrel. Well done.

8

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

2017 bottle poured, enjoyed as part of the home run derby cellar beer elimination night. Clown Shoes, aka Harper, wins this year. Really nice rye barrel impressions here. It seems strong, but doesn't have a boozy flavor really. Has a definite sweet side. Rich caramel, chocolate, brown sugar, and smooth whiskey. As it warms, the chocolate really stands out in front, and the whiskey tones are unique. Really good imperial here. A memorable brew.

7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Poured from bottle dated 5/19/17 coffee black brown with a nice creamy mocha head. Aroma is oatmeal rye whiskey coffee chocolate. Taste is nice chewy creamy mouth feel not too sweet chocolate milk whiskey rye booze is really well hidden.

6.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Sampled from the tap at ABR 2017. Pours black with a very dark chestnut brown head that dissipates to the edges. Aroma has notes of soy sauce, dark grains and roasted malts with a bit of rye barrel backing. Flavor has dark grains, roasted malts, dark grains and chocolate with a bit of barrel and a touch of soy sauce backing.

8.1

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Sample at Bob's Bar during the "Actual Peanut Butter Fat Julian Cask!" event on 12/01/2017. Brown-black color with a medium beige head that recedes steadily to a film. Patchy lacing. Aroma of roast malt, spice and vanilla. Full-bodied with flavors of rye malt, chocolate, spices and oaky vanilla. The finish is chocolatey with a mildly spicy rye aftertaste. Good beer overall.

8.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

On tap at Pita Kabob in Visalia as part of their Black Friday. Opaque with beautiful, full, dark brown head. Tremendously complex with vanilla and bourbon from the barrel. Very smooth with the alcohol well hidden.

8.2

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

Bomber from Belmont Station. Pours dark brown with a tan head. Aroma of smoky chocolate and rye. And dark treacle. Full bodied. Smoke is mild, but chocolate rye is good, and the treacle is complementary. Goes extremely well with Godiva dark chocolate truffle. This is amazingly flavored and delicious ale. Much better than the character in "It". :)