“In a world full of uncertainty, hardship, and people trying to hold us back, do we need Vampires, too? Clown Shoes says “No! Die, monsters, die!” Our second anniversary ale incorporates signature dark malts, holy water, and malt smoked locally with hickory, ash, and vampire killing stakes.”
Picked this up from a cool little bottle shop in the Hunter Valley Gardens. Served in a tulip glass the opaque black pour produces a fizzy 1 cm brown head that collapsed to a ring around the edge of our glass. Minimal lacing is being left in its wake. Aroma is slightly subdued, after a few big whiffs the subtle and complex wafts of roasted malts, caramel, toffee, nuts and chocolate begin to open up with some subtle and sweet undertones of dark fruits, ash and vanilla hidden deep. The mouth feel was quite smooth and oily with mild-medium carbonation. Medium-full body. Upfront some roasted/smoked characters team up with the chocolate, subtle booze astringency and dark malts. The mid-palate produces some dark fruit sweetness which is rounded off by a lightly roasted, nutty finish. Good duration on the tongue with a hint of lingering charred wood on the back end. 10% ABV, which is evident in flavour but not overpowering. On a night when we tried some average beers, this one shone through. Brilliant stout from this brilliant American brewery. Another cracker to add to their already stellar range of beers.