Clown Shoes Eagle Claw Fist Imperial Amber Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 12-10-2010
Alright! Enough clowning around! It's time to get serious about this Beer O'Clock Selection stuff. Really.. I mean it. Forget about what the label on this week's selection says.. this is serious beer.
You still doubt me? Then prepare to feel the Shaolin Master's Clown Shoes Eagle Claw Fist assault. Don't say I didn't warn you!
From the bottle:
At Clown Shoes we do Kung Fu, junior high playground style. One morning a move was busted and a beer was born. This intensely flavored Imperial Amber Ale has a mix of sweet malts balanced by over 100 IBUs of Simcoe, Centinnial, and Citra hops, as well as the grace and power of a Shaolin Monk.
ABV: 8%
Appearance:
This poured with a clear dark amber/brown color forming a thick 3 finger beige colored head with great retention and nice lacing.
Aroma:
A fantastic bouquet of aroma here! Prominent scent of fresh hops, sticky wet pine and citrus fruits with under tones of sweet floral malts and ... wet grass?. I can't put into words what this is like, But it is GOOD!
Taste:
Right up front is the sweet malts, caramel, tropical fruits and something "earthy", like grass freshly pulled from the ground. Then a REALLY nice transition to the bitter hops and piney citrus flavors finishing with dry bitter hops in the end. There is really a nice balance happening here - a shaolin showdown between sweet and bitter. Impressive!
Feel:
Surprisingly smooth across the tongue with a bit of carbonation and bitter bite at the back of the mouth. I expected a little more from the carbonation, but the hops smack down makes up for it. Light to low medium body with a dry, pasty finish.
Drinkability:
A very drinkable brew. One of the better balancing acts I had with great flavor and aromas. Not heavy, and smooth going down.
Overall:
I think this is a pretty impressive beer. I love the HUGE flavors and aroma and the foamy head makes you want to jump right in.. I'd even be tempted to give this a perfect 10 score... BUT.. The finish is very bitter, leaving a lingering dry bitter feel across the lips and tongue, leaving you licking bitter lips for a while after drinking this brew.
However, if super powered hops is your thing.. this is for you..!!
That's my opinion. What do you think?
