Kung Fu Ballet Series: Origin Story
Clown Shoes
- From:
- Clown Shoes
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
Ranked #2,062 - ABV:
- 9.75%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #15,861 - Avg:
- 4.02 | pDev: 6.72%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 8
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 22, 2022
- Added:
- Feb 26, 2021
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
No description / notes.
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Reviewed by Darkmagus82 from Texas
4.22/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a can into a snifter
Appearance – The beer pours a hazed orange-golden color with a one finger head of off-white foam. The head has a good level of retention, fading slowly over time to leave a light level of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is strong of a dank herbal and earthy hop smell mixed with a good showing of pine and a very carmal and bready malt backbone. Along with these smells comes a good showing of a nice woody bourbon smell mixed with a
Taste – The taste starts out with a big bready malt flavor mixed with a caramel and toffee sweetness and a bit of doughy malt. At the same time there is a grapefruit and herbal hop flavor upfront, both of which get slightly weaker as the taste advances. While the former hop flavors fade a bit, they are replaced by some herbal and earthy hop flavors as well as a little bit more malt mixed with some dark fruit of plum and cherry. At the same time the bourbon and wood that were in the nose meet the tongue, and with the other flavor transitions, one is left with a malty, lightly boozed, and moderately hopped, somewhat more American barleywine like taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is thick and chewy with a carbonation level that is rather average. For the American barleywine like character of this IPA, the feel is good and makes for a nice slow sipper.
Overall – A rather nice and tasty brew with big flavor and a nice overall drinkability.
Mar 08, 2022Appearance – The beer pours a hazed orange-golden color with a one finger head of off-white foam. The head has a good level of retention, fading slowly over time to leave a light level of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is strong of a dank herbal and earthy hop smell mixed with a good showing of pine and a very carmal and bready malt backbone. Along with these smells comes a good showing of a nice woody bourbon smell mixed with a
Taste – The taste starts out with a big bready malt flavor mixed with a caramel and toffee sweetness and a bit of doughy malt. At the same time there is a grapefruit and herbal hop flavor upfront, both of which get slightly weaker as the taste advances. While the former hop flavors fade a bit, they are replaced by some herbal and earthy hop flavors as well as a little bit more malt mixed with some dark fruit of plum and cherry. At the same time the bourbon and wood that were in the nose meet the tongue, and with the other flavor transitions, one is left with a malty, lightly boozed, and moderately hopped, somewhat more American barleywine like taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is thick and chewy with a carbonation level that is rather average. For the American barleywine like character of this IPA, the feel is good and makes for a nice slow sipper.
Overall – A rather nice and tasty brew with big flavor and a nice overall drinkability.
Reviewed by Thankin_Hank from Texas
4.61/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.61/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
A Stovepipe can dated 01/25/21. Couldn't pass it up as it's the first Bourbon Barrel-Aged IPA I believe I've found and it's CLOWN SHOES. Pours a Golden orange amber red color with a big foamy head. It smells fantastic. Mostly of sweet malt. Taste is sweet malt and surprising lighter than expected. No bitterness and no hoppiness nor alcohol is noticed. Very smooth beer. Thick creamy mouthfeel is really good. Overall, it almost reminds me of a Belgian Tripel. Won't pass it up when I find it.
May 24, 2021
Reviewed by ScruffySouthpaw from New York
3.68/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Served in an over sized wine glass from the can.
Appearance: Slight hazy Amber with medium bubbles to the body.
Smell: Light whiskey aroma accompanied with light hops. Nothing crazy, could be a bit more potent.
Taste: Light whiskey with heavy malts. Touch sweet, i want to really love this beer but there can more room for improvement.
Mouth: Semi sticky which leaves the tongue quickly. Medium carbonation.
Overall: Descent. I have had much much better bourbon barrel aged IIPAs in my life, bought it without hesitation but honestly I'll leave it on the shelf next time I see it. Salud!
May 15, 2021Appearance: Slight hazy Amber with medium bubbles to the body.
Smell: Light whiskey aroma accompanied with light hops. Nothing crazy, could be a bit more potent.
Taste: Light whiskey with heavy malts. Touch sweet, i want to really love this beer but there can more room for improvement.
Mouth: Semi sticky which leaves the tongue quickly. Medium carbonation.
Overall: Descent. I have had much much better bourbon barrel aged IIPAs in my life, bought it without hesitation but honestly I'll leave it on the shelf next time I see it. Salud!
Reviewed by Greywulfken from New York
3.88/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Actually had this on April 10th, 2021, but never put the review in...
Amber ale with a slight haze under a couple of fingers of tan foam in a nonic pint... When I see BBA DIPA, I flash back to Doom from Founders and then to Curiuex, a BBA tripel from Allagash... This is a bit thick and heavy for me - decent, don't get me wrong, but it lacks subtlety... Pale fruit pulps with a bourbon glaze - rich and sweet, little bitter of bitter fruit skin and some chewiness and malt round it out - I liked it, but would not return...
May 15, 2021Amber ale with a slight haze under a couple of fingers of tan foam in a nonic pint... When I see BBA DIPA, I flash back to Doom from Founders and then to Curiuex, a BBA tripel from Allagash... This is a bit thick and heavy for me - decent, don't get me wrong, but it lacks subtlety... Pale fruit pulps with a bourbon glaze - rich and sweet, little bitter of bitter fruit skin and some chewiness and malt round it out - I liked it, but would not return...
Rated by Captain69 from Illinois
3.38/5 rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
nice ipa hoppy with great smooth hop taste - beer with a story on the label is always enjoyable
May 10, 2021
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas
3.78/5 rDev -6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev -6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours an effervescent amber with a thumb+ of sand colored head. Some lacing & head retention
S: Cakeyness & Bourbon, dark fruits
T: Cakeyness, figs, dates & leafy hops, plus a boozey edge up front. Barrel dryness, toffee sweetness, & leafy hops as this warms> Finishes dry with figs, oakyness & a little Bourbon bite& leafy hops
MF: Chewy, slight carbonation, decent balance
Didn't quite pull together, good flavor and decent drinkability, but nothing special, I don't really perceive this an IPA
MF:
Apr 08, 2021S: Cakeyness & Bourbon, dark fruits
T: Cakeyness, figs, dates & leafy hops, plus a boozey edge up front. Barrel dryness, toffee sweetness, & leafy hops as this warms> Finishes dry with figs, oakyness & a little Bourbon bite& leafy hops
MF: Chewy, slight carbonation, decent balance
Didn't quite pull together, good flavor and decent drinkability, but nothing special, I don't really perceive this an IPA
MF:
Reviewed by JacobusFavier23 from Texas
4.17/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L-Dark amber like mahogany brown tint with a lacy, yet full head. Solid bubble amount present.
S-Malty sweet upfront with a buttery yam and caramelized brown sugar aroma right after. Sweet warm bourbon aroma is there as well. Some booze.
T- Sweet stone fruit with a buttery brown sugar finish. Lots of apricot and prune, some apple juice is there as well. A nice bitter presence follows the flavors up front. Sweet oaky bourbon in the finish, minus the burn.
F-Medium-light bodied with a dry finish. The bubbles are more subtle than expected. Easy to drink for sure.
O-This beer had the characteristic of every imperial IPA I've had before, but more. Easy to drink, yet strong in flavor. A punch of sweetness with very strong flavors of stone fruit, buttery yams and brown sugar, all in a sweet yet warm bourbon flavor. Very nice and rewarding beer to drink. Loved every sip.
Apr 04, 2021S-Malty sweet upfront with a buttery yam and caramelized brown sugar aroma right after. Sweet warm bourbon aroma is there as well. Some booze.
T- Sweet stone fruit with a buttery brown sugar finish. Lots of apricot and prune, some apple juice is there as well. A nice bitter presence follows the flavors up front. Sweet oaky bourbon in the finish, minus the burn.
F-Medium-light bodied with a dry finish. The bubbles are more subtle than expected. Easy to drink for sure.
O-This beer had the characteristic of every imperial IPA I've had before, but more. Easy to drink, yet strong in flavor. A punch of sweetness with very strong flavors of stone fruit, buttery yams and brown sugar, all in a sweet yet warm bourbon flavor. Very nice and rewarding beer to drink. Loved every sip.
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts
4.08/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Giant can, 2021/01/25
Pours a med frothy 1 finger head with med retention, nice soapy lacing, semi hazy mostly clear amber to a rosy-tan color
Nose fair hops up front, spicy and citrusy, some sweet candy malt, good balance, light toasted vanilla oak character, hops getting a bit floral grassy spicy like, little caramelized toasted reddish malt
Taste brings more sweet malts up front, candy-like malt with some caramel and toffee notes, as well as toasted malts, then hops, floral a bit grassy, a bit of citrus and fruity flavors, even some tropical and pineapple, light smooth oak behind all that, a hint of whiskey but not much, like a sweet bourbon candy, and flash of nougat candy, nice balance with a med-lighter bitterness, sticky sweet finish, a touch of alcohol warmth late, med bitterness, good balance
Mouth is med to fuller bod, med frothy carb, a touch of warming alcohol
Overall this was pretty nice, def wish the bourbon and barrel came through more, but otherwise a nicely balanced old-school East Coast DIPA with flashes of barrel
Mar 22, 2021Pours a med frothy 1 finger head with med retention, nice soapy lacing, semi hazy mostly clear amber to a rosy-tan color
Nose fair hops up front, spicy and citrusy, some sweet candy malt, good balance, light toasted vanilla oak character, hops getting a bit floral grassy spicy like, little caramelized toasted reddish malt
Taste brings more sweet malts up front, candy-like malt with some caramel and toffee notes, as well as toasted malts, then hops, floral a bit grassy, a bit of citrus and fruity flavors, even some tropical and pineapple, light smooth oak behind all that, a hint of whiskey but not much, like a sweet bourbon candy, and flash of nougat candy, nice balance with a med-lighter bitterness, sticky sweet finish, a touch of alcohol warmth late, med bitterness, good balance
Mouth is med to fuller bod, med frothy carb, a touch of warming alcohol
Overall this was pretty nice, def wish the bourbon and barrel came through more, but otherwise a nicely balanced old-school East Coast DIPA with flashes of barrel
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota
3.73/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.73/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
After a long night of drinking & a searing 7AM headache, here we are again. Some people never learn. 19.2 oz. man-can.
The pour is dark for an IPA, clear, with a red tint that harks to a barleywine. The nose is malt, oak, bourbon, with a flat, rusty hoppiness that reminds me of an amber ale. Huh.
Origin Story isn’t going for depth, complexity or subtlety. The bourbon & bitter hops & oak are all right up front under the spotlight. Other than a heated argument of booze that’s it. Oak dries this out. Not sure I’ll be able to get through the baby bomber can.
Simple, straightforward, very good.
Mar 07, 2021The pour is dark for an IPA, clear, with a red tint that harks to a barleywine. The nose is malt, oak, bourbon, with a flat, rusty hoppiness that reminds me of an amber ale. Huh.
Origin Story isn’t going for depth, complexity or subtlety. The bourbon & bitter hops & oak are all right up front under the spotlight. Other than a heated argument of booze that’s it. Oak dries this out. Not sure I’ll be able to get through the baby bomber can.
Simple, straightforward, very good.
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