Year of New Beer: Hammer of the Lion, Clown Shoes (MA)

Written By: Snobby Beer Bitches on 08/20/2019

Two of my favorite beer styles, imperial stout and wee heavy, are blended and subsequently aged in rum, bourbon, and brandy barrels. It's a safe bet I'm going to like it. The aroma opens with hints of chocolate, followed quickly by notes of caramel and bourbon. Warmth opens up dark fruits and a bit of a peppery bite. On the tongue, the sweet malts of the wee heavy seem to tone down any of the earthy bitterness that the stout may have imparted. Chocolate isn't as strong as it was in the nose. Plums, raisins, and dark berries fill the mid-palate, slowly melting under the weight of the barrels, each of which is distinct. Bourbon provides caramel and a bit of heat, rum offers up the slightest spice, and brandy brings all of the delicious fruits. As usual, Clown Shoes knows how to do big, barrel aged goodness.