Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet
That’s an IPA?
I’m still not sure about this whole Black IPA thing that’s been going on the past couple of years in craft beer. I mean, I like hops and I like a nice roast on some beers, but the combination of them has yet to be delivered in a manner that sits right with me. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some tasty samples of this variety, but the majority of them just feel off.
Clown Shoes Brewing has thrown their large feet into the Black IPA ring with Hoppy Feet, a 7% ABV brew that’s made with “lots of Amarillo and Columbus Hops.” While the beer delivers your standard IPA-like qualities, it also leans fairly heavily the lightly roasted malt that fills the mouth. The end result is one of the better of the style that I’ve had.
Appearance
Hoppy Feet pours a dark brown in color with a ruby edge when held up to a light. The full, rocky head fell to a pretty solid bit of lacing.
Aroma
The nose is pretty steady with elements of light roast coffee, cocoa, grapefruit and pine.
Taste
The beer starts off with a light roasted coffee and chocolate character before quickly giving way to a solid hop presence with pine notes. The lingering hop bite is of moderate intensity and hangs around for a good while after you’ve swallowed. The alcohol is well masked.
Overall
All in all, Hoppy Feet certainly isn’t the hoppiest IPA (Black or otherwise) and it settles in nicely with the combination of chocolate and roast coffee. It’s an easy drinking brew with a fairly well thought out blend of flavors and, from my limited experience with the brewery’s products, is my favorite so far from the company.
Rating: 4/5