The Ballad Of Minnie Quay
Clown Shoes

The Ballad Of Minnie QuayThe Ballad Of Minnie Quay
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Clown Shoes
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Old Ale
ABV:
11%
Score:
94
Avg:
4.27 | pDev: 6.32%
Reviews:
28
Ratings:
76
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 22, 2023
Added:
Jan 14, 2015
Wants:
  27
Gots:
  25
Aged in Port and Whiskey Barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ThickNStout:
Photo of ThickNStout
Reviewed by ThickNStout from Georgia

4.34/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22oz bottle from IAmJacksHopTongue (thanks for feeding my Clown Shoes addiction!). Bottled 2/18/15. Served in a Clown Shoes snifter.

Pours a hazy, opaque burgundy with a little more than a finger ecrue head. The bubbles quickly recede to a tiny halo, leaving very little in the way of lacing.

Sweet nose of port, whiskey, caramel, honey, oak, vague wet hay and a hint of berries.

This showcases a good bit of barrel flavor right up front. Rye whiskey, port, raspberries, burnt caramel, toffee, dark fruits, simple syrup, vanilla, honey, faint apples, traces of hay-like grain and a healthy dollop of booze. The port and whiskey blend reminds me of brandy. The base beer seems to have difficulty shining through those barrels but the end result is delicious nonetheless.

Body is a semi-oily, medium full with soft carbonation. The aftertaste of spirit-doused berries, caramel and oak lingers on the palate.

Clown Shoes really knows how to do these small batch, state-specific releases. I really enjoyed the interplay between the port and whiskey barrels. Quite glad I had the opportunity to try this.
May 18, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.03 by Humanusfermentum from Virginia

Aug 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.1 by Jonathan-Morgan from Florida

Feb 19, 2022
 
Rated: 4.11 by MykeJ from Minnesota

Feb 25, 2021
Photo of Treyliff
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a snifter
Bottled 2/18/15

A- pours a clear deep amber color with a one-finger foamy off- white head that reduces to leave nothing behind

S- plenty of port barrel on the nose gives aromas of dark grape, black cherries, even some raspberry jam and blueberry. Undertones of brown sugar, leather, caramel apple and oaky bourbon that adds a hint of vanilla

T- jammy fruit notes follow the nose up front with flavors of raspberry, dark grape and blackberry. Mid-palate brings out malty sweet notes of brown sugar and caramel. The finish continues with the jammy notes before giving way to a hint of oaky bourbon

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that finishes warming and slightly creamy

O- the port barrel takes center stage on this one, with tons of dark fruits throughout
Oct 20, 2020
 
Rated: 4.88 by BadgerNCarolina from North Carolina

Jul 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4.34 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts

Jun 13, 2020
 
Rated: 4.29 by Tcsox from Massachusetts

Jun 13, 2020
Photo of stortore
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
22 ounce bottle into a snifter. Bottled 3/23/19, had 2/8/20. The 2019 version was aged in brandy barrels.

Pours a mostly clear orange, with only a brief flash of a head and some foamy lacing. Aromas of brandy, grapes, malt, some oak, light plums and toffee, a hint of orange. Has a spicy aroma. The flavor follows the nose- brandy, grapes, malt, light plums and caramel, light oak, a spicy taste. Some alcohol warming. Mostly smooth, a good medium body, well carbonated.

The brandy barrels are very good, the base is pretty solid, but nothing about this really stands out. A lighter take on the style, but it works. Enjoyable.
Apr 07, 2020
 
Rated: 4.17 by Mickt465 from New Hampshire

Dec 26, 2019
Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a lighter but semi thick fizzy bubbly head with medium retention, decent lacing, hazy but semi clear copper iced-tea like color

Nose mildly sweet brown ale like, a bit of toasted sweet brown malts, no caramel or toffee, mild soft aged malt like character, with a hint of dark fruits, plenty of barrel, some mild vanilla and toasted oak, some candied apple-plum like wine fruit characters, and a little liquor note, as it warms more fig and nutty notes like a good old ale

Taste fair sweet toasted like candy malt, a little biscuity toffee, mild caramel, toasted like malts, with a fair amount of candy sugar like sweetness, mild soft aged malt like character and maybe a touch of oxidation, not super sweet and very light alcohol, a bit of barrel with toasted oak and vanilla notes, with more mild fruits, a little candied apple-plum wine again, touch of liquor, fair vanilla, fig jam and a little nutty as well, more caramel flavor with mild sweetness, and a touch of hop bitterness, drier finish but a little sticky, a touch of alcohol warmth

Mouth is medium to a bit fuller bod, carb on the lighter side, lower but mild alcohol

Overall not bad, pretty good, not incredible but nice base old ale, decent barrel characters with decent oak, mild brandy, wish the barrel and aged effect was a bit more
Oct 07, 2019
Photo of LifesAnesthesia
Reviewed by LifesAnesthesia from Virginia

4.41/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L - Copper/amber with a decent amount of clarity and a light tan head that dissipates quickly leaving behind no real lacing to speak of.
S - Sweet brandy, some oak, and sweet, rich malt, but otherwise the nose is somewhat mellow.
T - Follows the nose: sweet malt and brandy up front and throughout, hints of oak and wood, raisin, dark fruits, vanilla, some caramel, honey, brown sugar, some piney hops in the background - but very faint.
F - Medium bodied with a moderate to high amount of carbonation. Crisp, somewhat sticky.
O - A really complex, but wonderful old ale.
Aug 24, 2019
 
Rated: 4.46 by Salinesnake from Louisiana

Jun 09, 2019
 
Rated: 4.42 by petewheeler from Maryland

Jun 02, 2019
Photo of teromous
Reviewed by teromous from Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The front label says "2019"
On the neck in yellow print: "PKG 088 03/35/19 11: 18"
From the neckerchief: "Alc. 10.5% by Volume"

Appearance: The beer has a tea appearance with various shades of brown and gold in a slightly hazy glass. The head is short and white which fades quickly to a thin frothy ring.

Aroma: There is a note of buttery caramel along with a woody aroma of bourbon and raw alcohol.

Taste: Caramel lathers the tongue and pinches it with this cherry-like flavor mixed with wet wood and plum. It tastes just like the flavor that surrounds the pit of a plum. It is very hard to describe why this flavor is so perfect but it is perfect. It has this outer corona of sweet caramel flavor and this rich fruity interior. It is perfect.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium-full body with a buttery finish. It feels very luxurious on the palate. There is a bit of heat and a slightly high carbonation but otherwise it feels great. Neither of these two things detract from the beer overall.

Overall: This is one of those beers you really want to keep on your radar if you enjoy a good quality English Ale; especially a higher ABV one that might cross over into either the Old Ale or Barleywine realm. This has an overabundance of flavor. It is highly enjoyable and I highly recommend it. I would love to enjoy this again.
Jun 01, 2019
Photo of russpowell
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas

3.92/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2018 Bottle aged in Brany Barrels, pours a murky ice tea color with a sliver of tan head. Zero head retention & lacing

S: Faint jammyness, a little boozeyness when warmer

T: Follows the nose, dryness, a little leafy hop & vanilla up front. Honey notes mix with, figs & pear, plus dryness& some orange slice as this warms. Finishes dry with figs, honey, plus woody & leafy hops, plus some leather notes

MF: Medium body, near still carbonation

A nice offering, not great which is more what I expect from these guys barrel aged offerings. Drinkable enough
Jan 20, 2019
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the 22 oz bomber and enjoyed in a snifter. This might fine old ale
pours a rugged brown tinged amber peach color with a nice head of
off white khaki foam that settles to a thick ring, thin subtle layer,
and showcases some nice sudsy lacing. Nose of grapes, bourbon,
candy sugars, hints of leather, raisins, and touches of orchard fruits
with herbal and floral hop notes. Flavors nail it out of the park. Golden
raisins dance with mulled peaches and bask in fortified grape laden oak with
hints of mild sweet bourbon coming to the middle of the taste with oaken
notes and mild vanilla. A moderately strong herbal and piney hop blast
give balance to the sweetness with a subtle lingering hop that finally
gives up the ghost to the sweet but not cloying onslaught. Excellent mouth
feel with low carbonation, medium body, and a lightly coating and moderately
warming boozy finish.

An outlandishly delicious old ale that is worthy of the Clown Shoes moniker.

Excellent-----barley wine and strong ale lovers----take note.

This one ROCKS!
Jun 15, 2018
Photo of TreyIsWilson
Reviewed by TreyIsWilson from Michigan

4.36/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A - Pours a murky copper with a thin off white head. Light soapy lacing.

S - Aroma is red wine, raisins, candied sugar and whiskey barrel.

T - The taste is cherry, apple, raisin, brown sugar, caramel malts, red wine with a nice whiskey bite in the finish.

M - Full bodied with low carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a sticky dry finish.

O - This is an excellent barrel aged old ale. The flavors are on the sweet side and leave wanting another drink.
Dec 31, 2016
Photo of Casey3236
Reviewed by Casey3236 from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The Ballad of Minnie Quay. Surprised by the color. Looks like a barleywine with nice reddish hues. I get caramel apple on the nose. Taste is apple cider and whiskey. Finishes with a little leather and wood.
Dec 07, 2016
Photo of darktronica
Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Here goes, another state-specific Clown Shoes release that's exceptional and shamefully limited in its original distribution. From February 2015, The Ballad of Minnie Quay pours on the ruby side of copper, with half a finger of head that leaves a light ring around the rim of my swagtastic Clown Shoes snifter. There's a bit of oxidation on the nose, in the form of blood orange, plum, tannins, and fruitcake. Lots of classic old ale notes here, on the acidic end of the range, thanks to the port barrel tannins and age--strong malt on the finish, preceded by black cherry, dark plums, and suggestions of orange and clove, reminiscent of a hot spiced cider.

The port takes center stage; I'm not getting much whiskey at all. That said, there isn't a ton of barrel character in any case. The mouthfeel is full and smooth. I didn't have an opportunity to try this when it was fresh, but in comparison to Clown Shoes' typical adventures in Boozy Barrel Land, this must have either spent less time in the whiskey barrels than usual or it's calmed down considerably in the bottle.
Nov 23, 2016
The Ballad Of Minnie Quay from Clown Shoes
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 76 ratings