Clown Shoes Pecan Pie Porter Review
Pecan Pie Porter, we were hooked based on name alone. We're always excited when a new beer from Clown Shoes comes out. Their last release Eagle Claw Fist was our favorite yet so we were eager to give this a go. We're going to jump right in with one big disclaimer, this beer is a dessert beer in our minds. The rest of the clown shoes line is very drinkable and we'd have no problem putting back a whole bomber ourselves but this beer is meant to be shared.
The beer pours a deep rich dark brown with a thick dark tan head. The aroma is what really stands out though. The smell of pecans is surprisingly intense, though not in a fake way at all. There's just a very earthy nutty base to the beer followed byt nice dark malts and some sweetness.
The beer drinks much like the aroma. Smooth roasted malts are backed by a nice smooth sweetness that's rounded out with a pecan finish. There are many beers that are sweeter than this, for example Southern Tier Pumking, but this is still a bit on the heavier side which is why it feels more like a dessert beer to us. We found it paired fantastically with some pumpkin cake one of our friends brought over.
This beer makes a fantastic unique addition to dessert, and just in time for the holidays. We've also heard they may be working on a version of this Porter without the Pecan in it which we'd be very interested to try.
Add a commentWachusett Brewing Milk Stout Review
A recent addition to Wachusett Brewing's lineup, the Milk Stout is the darkest brew they've ever put out. At 5.8% abv it's not too big of a beer, but the lactose sugar (which is what makes it a milk stout) gives it some good body and richness. They've been adding some really great beer to their lineup as of late, between RYDE and Larry, so we can't wait to try this one. Let's get to it!
Appearance: First of all, a big chocolate milk head forms on this beer... I mean, we’re talking 5-6 fingers... but it quickly recedes to a more reasonable (and photographable) 2 1/2 fingers. The brew itself is pretty much black with some dark red hints at the edges. It looks delicious and, to be honest, the cow and the monochrome label are pretty awesome!
Smell: Yum! Sweet, smooth chocolate is the main aroma... it’s like chocolate milk with alcohol in it!
Taste: Yup, as good as it smells, it tastes phenomenal! Smooth and mildly sweet from the lactose sugar, the dark malt is chocolatey without bitterness. There’s some dark fruit at the very end of the sip that sticks around until your next. While the brew starts sweet and smooth, it ends dry with a pleasant powderyness on the back of the tongue. The sweetness is balanced, the finish is nice, the chocolate is great... this is a delicious and pleasant beer to drink! We’re glad this beer comes in 22oz bottles, because we wouldn’t want any less!
Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale Review
In Sierra Nevada's 30 years of brewing, they've brewed a lot of beers. Most of them, though, have been focused on the hoppy stylings of the West Coast craft beer scene. This is a bit of a change up for them, though, with a malty brown ale for their Autumn seasonal.
When you think of Autumn craft beers, you normally look for either an Oktoberfest Märzen style beer or a Pumpkin Ale. In 2010, though, Tumbler is just one of a few non-typical fall seasonal ales. So let's disperse with the talk and get to the drink!
Appearance: A fairly light head, given the beer which is a brownish ruby and crystal clear. The head is large at first and dissipates to a thick, craggy foam on top.
Smell: Mild malt sweetness leads on this one. Almost a hint of brown sugar and a clean finish.
Taste: Just like the smell, mild malt leads on your tongue. The beer is far from sweet, even finishing quite dry, but feels full and coats your mouth; the effect is aided by light carbonation. The only issue with this beer is a bit of mustiness on the end of the taste, but this goes away as the beer warms and a little more fruity, sweet chocolate comes through. If you like Oktoberfests, check this one out... it’s got a bit more toastyness and cocoa and the yeast character is a bit stronger, but we think it’s a good progression.
How to Open a Bottle of Beer With a Piece of Paper
Want to learn how to open a bottle with a piece of paper? Well we have a video to show you how. One evening I could not find a bottle opening and had to MacGyver a solution. I've used lighters, spoons and other things in a pinch but paper seemed like it would work so I gave it a go. I filmed my first attempt and it worked. I've tried it since and have yet to have it not work.
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Clown Shoes Eagle Claw Fist Beer Review
Appearance: Eagle Claw Fist pours clear brown with amber hues when held up to the light. Eagle Claw Fist throws up a great creamy tan head of about two fingers that lingers like a bruise from a punch of a kung-fu master.
Smell: Eagle Claw Fist has a fairly mellow aroma, like a kung-fu master is subtle and sneaky. A little bit of hops and some smooth malt, but that’s it. It’s subdued...
Taste: Whoa! Eagle Claw Fist drinks so smooth you’d never know it’s an 8% abv beer. It drinks like it’s 6%. Eagle Claw Fist goes down so easy (insert your own joke here). There is a great hop bitterness up front, but it’s smoothly followed by a luscious malt profile and finally some piney, slightly citrusy hop flavors. Clown Shoes nailed this one! The hops and malt go together great! This is an 8% hoppy, malty beer... it’s over 80 degrees outside and we still are digging it. Well done to the Clown Shoes Crew.
So if you haven’t noticed, we like the name Eagle Claw Fist. It sounds like the beer Rambo David Carradine would drink. Clown Shoes is four for four in our books!
