Clown Shoes Clementine White Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 4-29-2011
This week's Beer O'Clock Selection came as a recommendation. I've seen it on the shelf a few weeks back and made a note to try it, when "The Beer Guy" at my favorite local provider convinced me it's worth a try. I liked their Eagle Claw Fist Imperial Amber, and with the recommendation, I expect this to be a decent brew as well. What am I talking about, you ask? It's Clown Shoes Seasonal Clementine White Ale (Witbier).
ABV: 6%
Appearance: This brew poured from it's bottle into a pint glass with a light golden ochre color with forming a deep white and frothy head at about two fingers. It's a bit cloudy but provides enough visibility to catch the active carbonation. The head gives out after a bit and leaves a dense film on the surface with a thick collar around the edge.
Aroma: First up front is a bready malts and wheat aroma with floral and coriander notes. A little deeper and I get some orange and clove as well.
Taste: In front I definitely pick up the wheat malts but moving into the middle the orange rind/peel take over and mingle with some hop bitterness and coriander to the end where things linger with bitter orange peel and coriander. There's a lot of bite in the flavor and some might bite a bit too hard for my taste. At the same time it makes for an interesting blend that starts to grow on you.
Feel: Crisp and light with a mild body and medium wetness through out. Finishes on the drier side and carbonation is a bit abrasive.
Drinkability: If the conditions are right [hot summer day] this might be a decent brew to break out, but I didn't find this one to live up to it's expectations.
Overall, I had higher hopes for this. I loved the introduction, but the orange peel flavor and bitter combination make it a bit awkward for me. Orange peel could be brought down a peg or two, in my opinion. I've got another bottle of this and will save it for the hotter days of summer which it seems more appropriate for. Maybe I'm just missing something in this one.
Thats my version! Whats yours?
