Snow On The Maple Tree
Clown Shoes

Snow On The Maple TreeSnow On The Maple Tree
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Clown Shoes
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #791
ABV:
11.25%
Score:
94
Ranked #2,133
Avg:
4.26 | pDev: 6.81%
Reviews:
58
Ratings:
147
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 23, 2024
Added:
Nov 16, 2017
Wants:
  6
Gots:
  11
Inspiration guides us here at Clown Shoes. When I tried this Imperial Stout, a quiet, serene feeling spread through me. A vision of a Japanese maple tree weathering a snow storm presented itself. Looking closer, I saw frolicking Manchurian cranes in Clown Shoes. Weird, Yes! But nice! Aged in Bourbon Barrels that had premium maple syrup aged in them as well, this beer is a beautiful compliment for a winter night.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by LeRose:
Photo of LeRose
Reviewed by LeRose from Massachusetts

4.04/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours pretty darn black with a massive but fortunately short-lived khaki head. The foam leaves a layer on top that looks a little oily - bigger bubbles dotting a mat of foam. Clings a bit to the Spiegelau, but nothing spectacular.

The smell just about attacks from the can. The kitchen is full of a great maple syrup aroma and boozy bourbon. Maybe pancakes were in order for dinner rather than chili? Maple dominates followed by the bourbon, but there's roast malt underneath reminding me of CS other big stouts.

The taste opens with maple syrup - Grade A awesome maple syrup. Bourbon notes follow, a touch of vanilla added. The stout becomes obvious - there's char and a faint smokiness that emerges more as the beer warms. There are coffee and chocolate flavors bouncing around and there is absolutely no hint of the big ABV - no heat at all. The initial big maple taste sort of fades on repeated sips and to me this becomes more "stouty" and less barrel-driven. It's still there, but less prevalent. There's a nutty quality as well and I'm not sure where that comes from, but it fits.

It's almost but not quite heavy on the body, fairly smooth and creamy. There is a little malt bitterness on the end, and while I find the enjoyable maple flavor to be diminishing some, the sticky sweet sensation does linger. The finish is fairly dry and slightly astringent.

The beer is a very nice sipper. It is well made and the stout is not covered up by the barrel treatment. It is pretty restrained, all things considered.
May 02, 2022
More User Ratings:
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Picked up a 12 oz single can from the Appalachian Vintner in Asheville 2-21-23 for $7.42. Canned 10-10-22; received at AV 12-27-22; consumed 1-23-24. 11.0% ABV.

Beer poured black with a beautiful long-lasting tan head.

Nose is roasted malts with a faint trace of bourbon barrels.

Taste is spot on for what i am looking for in an impy stout. Big roasted malt base gave a slight initial note of licorice that quickly gave way to a nice subtle maple adjunct. Finishes perfectly balanced between a good dose of hops and a deft touch of the barrel that compliments nicely.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.

Overall a really tasty brew that i did not expect from Clown Shoes. Have to say this is the tastiest of the stouts i have had over the years!
Jan 23, 2024
 
Rated: 4.74 by DentedArthur from Vermont

Dec 31, 2023
Photo of Year2ofthedawg
Reviewed by Year2ofthedawg

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Brilliant- one of my favorites. Have enjoyed Clown Shoes IPAs in the past, but this was my first of their stouts.

Dark color, well-balanced sweetness and booze. I usually can only drink 1 dessert stout before the sweetness gets to be too much, but this one was the exception. Maple finish was terrific. And the feel was about medium for a stout- which is my personal preference.

Drove back to my local package store and picked up the last four-pack they had. Hope to find more.
Dec 26, 2023
Photo of wiggibow
Reviewed by wiggibow from Nebraska

4.83/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Wow... surprised how much I'm loving this one! Taste starts as a fairly standard thick, creamy, and bitter barrel aged imperial stout that, over the course of each sip, slowly reveals some serious sweetness and a brilliant natural maple syrup flavor on the aftertaste. Hints of bourbon, coffee, and chocolate as one would expect from a typical bourbon barrel aged stout, and this one is easily up there with the best I've tried.

I notice I'm struggling to pace myself with the 11% ABV, as I just keep wanting to chase that maple syrup kick. This is also one of the thickest stouts I've ever had, it's practically the consistency of chocolate milk, yet it manages to impart that "real" maple syrup flavor while deftly avoiding coming off as sickly sweet or a gimmicky "pastry" stout. Perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness, never spoiling you with too much of either. I am beyond impressed with this beer, my only regret is that I only bought one! Here's hoping my local shop has a couple left the next time I visit..
Dec 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4.13 by QuintusHorace from California

Nov 13, 2023
Photo of Beejay
Reviewed by Beejay from Virginia

3.88/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: dark black in color witha large and fluffy tan head.

S: malty and sweet with hints of maple and oak.

T: brown sugar, Carmel, with vanilla and oak and a maple syrup finish.

M: medium thick with a smooth texture and low carbonation.

O: overall a sweet, malty, dark brew. I ditd it
May 15, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

May 12, 2023
Photo of SpaceCamp
Reviewed by SpaceCamp from Virginia

4.29/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours a rich, cola brown that forms a thick khaki head, lots of foam. Dissipates very slowly, which a healthy cloak of retention on top and plenty of silky lacing on the edges of the snifter. Held to the light, this beer is an impenetrable umber hue.

S: Decadent, very sweet. Maple syrup, molasses, and hints of bourbon percolate. Brown sugar, roasted malts, and baker's chocolate follow, with a faint whiff of char in the end.

T: Roasted malts, bourbon barrel (plenty of booze in the aftertaste), bitter dark chocolate, and maple syrup. Burnt sugar, char, and a smoky finish. Whereas the aromas are mostly sweet, the flavor leans bitter. However, the different tastes mesh together quite well, and this is probably one of the stronger entries from Clown Shoes in the stout category.

F: Smooth, silky, creamy mouthfeel, completely coats the mouth. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation.

O: This is a very strong imperial stout, although I struggle with whether to call this a dessert/pastry stout or just another BBA AIS. It certainly has sweet aromas and plenty of maple and sugar, but it is not cloying in the slightest and the finish has some heat and plenty of bitterness. Altogether it's well worth trying, I found myself really preferring this to some of Clown Shoes' more bitter stouts.
Apr 10, 2023
Photo of tradershmulie
Reviewed by tradershmulie from Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beautiful dark almost pitch black pour. Very nice clingy head.

Would have like to smell more (maple? bourbon?) but nothing really.

Very pleasant to drink. Smooth tasting, very slight hints of maple in the nose while drinking. ABV completely hidden.

Very good solid beer.
Feb 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.1 by Jonathan-Morgan from Florida

Feb 02, 2023
Photo of hman43
Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina

4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Look: I pours very dark brown with a brown head. Head retention is good.

Smell: Strong roast with chocolate brownie batter in the aromas up front. There are moderate maple syrup notes with bourbon.

Taste: It has strong roast with maple syrup. There are bourbon notes with chocolate in the background. There are also vanilla notes.

Feel: It has a full body with alcohol warming and a harsh, roasted bitter finish.

Overall, a good tasting beer, but the bitter finish is a bit harsh in my opinion.
Dec 27, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by AGoodStout from Kansas

Dec 25, 2022
 
Rated: 4.21 by StoutAtTheDevil from Alabama

Nov 22, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by heysuz from Indiana

Aug 17, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Aug 17, 2022
 
Rated: 3.81 by Table_Smashing_Type_Beat from Texas

Jul 17, 2022
 
Rated: 4.24 by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

Jul 11, 2022
Photo of TreyIsWilson
Reviewed by TreyIsWilson from Michigan

4.29/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A - Pours pitch black with a thin tan head. Good amount of sticky lacing.

S - Aroma is heavy maple, dark chocolate and coffee.

T - The taste is maple, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and some light bourbon heat.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a soft dry finish.

O - Solid. Not as sweet as I expected. The maple adds a nice sweetness to the base stout. Pretty easy drinking at 11.25%.
May 22, 2022
Photo of dd53grif
Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dark brown color with a bubbly head that disappears quickly. Aroma of chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. Taste is dark chocolate, alcohol and maple syrup. Not a sweet stout. Thick and creamy.
May 08, 2022
Snow On The Maple Tree from Clown Shoes
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 147 ratings