Cosmic Waffle
Clown Shoes

 

 

"Taking a break from contemplating how toasted the perfect waffle board should be for cosmic surfing, we decided to modernize our OG Belgian IPA recipe. Azacca and Cryo Pop hops now take centerstage, dropping in alongside wheat and honey malts and a classic Belgian yeast strain. Back to toasted thoughts…."

7% ABV, 12oz can. Part of the mixed xmas 12 pack from 2023, has been kept in the fridge since purchase fresh.

Pours out to a very cloudy turbid dark golden-light amber, forming a tall meringue like yellow head with excellent retention and solid sticky sheets of lace. Carbonation is medium brisk. The nose right up front smells like Orval yeast with that hint of brett followed by pineapple and a little mango and tangerine. A clean ferment. Mouthfeel is smooth, medium light bodied, a bit chewy, finishing quite dry with medium hop astringency. The taste is a recap of the nose with a medium firm bitterness. The ethanol is pretty strong for a 7% ABV beer and it's quite dry so I suspect it was fermented quite warm and there is still probably some brett action developing in the beer. I would be very surprised if there isn't a little brett in this although it seems other reviewers aren't picking up on this. No off flavors.

An interesting beer. I think it's pretty decent and would drink it again. I've had a few Belgian IPA's and it's often difficult to find a good balance between the yeast esters and the floral/fruity hop character and between the malt and bitterness. I feel that this one strikes a nice balance and is worth a try.

From the can, it pours a hazy amber color with a nice off-white head that slowly reduces. Lacing. The nose gets a dose of spice and fruit, primarily citrus, over malt. The taste follows the nose with a smooth feeling, citrus smacking taste of malt that is lightly sour.

Note: from the 12 Beers of Christmas pack and beyond the "best before" date.

 

Pours cloudy brown orange color with a 2-3 finger thick very frothy tan head that was packed with tiny bubbles that made a crackling sound as it dissipated on the slow side, easing back into the glass and leaving decent lacing. Smells like wheat, orange peel, coriander, bubblegum and lemon zest...not much depth, but it's alright to inhale. The taste has more malt and candied sugar, with earthy notes, light floral notes, a dash of honey and husk in addition to the wheat, orange peel, coriander and lemon zest I got from the nose. Mild carbonation and an average feel, this was a nice add in to the mixed Christmas pack but not something I'd seek out.

 

 

 

12oz can, stange, best by 1/31/23.

Hazy sunset orange with a large cap of yellowish foam. It’s hazy in the way things used to be hazy, like they were unfiltered and maybe had some wheat malt, not intentionally opaque.

Clove, pineapple, pink grapefruit, sweet honeyed malt, and slight alcohol as it warms.

Orange slices and pineapple juice, all very fresh. Phenolic and alcoholic with a medium bitter finish.

Moderate and slick body with moderate carbonation. Nicely balanced and a bit creamy.

I haven’t had a Belgian IPA in awhile, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this example that features a strong tropical hop and yeast aroma.

 

Got this one from the Christmas 12 pack. Poured a deep amber color with some haziness, with an inch and a half head that hung on for a few minutes. Smelled like citrus like I was expecting, and tasted like it as well with a yeast like nature. Actually didn't taste like an IPA per se.

 

 

Cosmic Waffle Clown Shoes IPA - Belgian

Soft amber malt and spicy yeast in the nose. A rather, watery and soft Mouthfeel, where's the crisp, airy feel? Subtle spices with a solid malty balance makes for a very interesting ale, a far cry from a top notch Belgian IPA from let's say... Saison Dupont. It's a nice try, starter level Belgian IPA at best. Malt is sweet and toasty, which is the best aspect. The Belgian yeast falls flat with minimal complexity. Not getting much in the way of hops, I'm tasting the cryo but only in a very subtle way. Overall.. it's just really hard to compete with the most excellent authentic Belgian IPA's.

 

This is from the "12 Beers of Christmas" pack.
From the bottom of the can: "Best By 01/31/23 245 16:37"

Appearance: The body is a medium shade of gold with a medium haze. Fuzzy shadows are visible through the glass. It has a very large fluffy white head. Excellent retention and nice lacing.

Aroma: There is a bit of what smells like orange on the nose. It is very soft so it only barely comes through. As a whole the aroma is barely even there and pretty lackluster.

Taste: There is a light bit of bay leaf up front. Some agave in the middle and a touch of clove on the back end. A light bit of wildflower and pollen in the aftertaste. There is a bit of lemon zest character that started cropping up as the beer warmed a touch.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with good carbonation. Very little perceivable bitterness. A touch of tartness.

Overall: There was some Belgian yeast character to the beer but the overall mix of flavors just seemed a bit off. The aroma was largely absent. The beer isn't bad for a beer in general but is missing a ton of character. It would be like eating a chocolate cake that tastes like vanilla; it just didn't have what it needed and what it does have just isn't that great either.

 

Decent belgian ipa.nice drinkability.simple decent hops and yeast. Good lunch can. I got this from some off the regular way store. That's what I like to do.