Clown Shoes Beer- Eagle Claw Fist: Chicagoland Rejoice…Clown Shoes Is Here!!

So a few months back I saw a post on Facebook about a beer company called Clown Shoes Beer.  I had to do a double take because I thought to myself, “That is a bad-ass name.”  Not only that but I believe that it was a post about the release of a new brew from Clown Shoes called Tramp Stamp, a Belgian IPA and again, killer name.  I am a sucker for great and creative names and this company has me hook, line and sinker and I haven’t even had a sip yet.  After seeing the post, I lowered my standards and for the first time ever, I actually solicited a brewery for samples.  I don’t really believe in doing that because as a supporter of the Craft Beer industry I believe that it is money well spent.  So I emailed Clown Shoes and was told that it would be no problem to send me some samples.  I learned two days later that they were going to be distributing to the Chicagoland area in a month and I quickly email Sean and told him that I would wait till it came to market and pick some up.  That day came a few days ago as I picked up a couple of bombers (one of which was Eagle Claw Fist) and I could not be more stoked.  What kills me is that calling someone “Clown Shoes” means that they are a total joke but I really love the name for a brewery.  Will I be made the fool or with this brew kill as I am hoping.  Eagle Claw Fist Imperial Amber Ale is poured and ready.

Clown Shoes Beer classifies this brew as an Imperial Amber Ale and their website describes Eagle Claw Fist as, “Eagle Claw Fist utilizes the same Chico yeast that shaped Hoppy Feet and Brown Angel. Canadian Two Row, English Crystal, and a little English Black Patent malt provide a sweet, balanced backbone. Simcoe, Centennial, and Citra work together to create a unique hop assault, with an intense bitterness that manages to leave your palate in one piece and is harmonized by the flavors of tropical fruits and flowers. The finish is dry.

To quote Suzanne Schalow, of Cambridge Common, “This is your best beer.” Kate Baker, her coworker, said, “I think I might be in love.””  What’s even cooler is the description on the label which reads, “At Clown Shoes we do Kung Fu, junior high playground style.  One morning a move was busted and a beer was born.  We bittered with Columbus hops, then used equal amounts of Centennial and Citra to finish and dry hop.  Over 100 IBUs deliver an aggressive hop fix with the grace and power of a Shaolin Monk.”  To additionally note, it states that it was bottle the last week of January, toady is February 22^nd.

Eagle Claw Fist pours a deep amber/caramel color with a fat 2” cream colored head.  The aroma hits you with scents of floral hops, sweet malts and citrus.

First sip…holy fuck!!  Eagle Claw Fist is in one word, “AMAZING!”  This brew is even better than its name, which is hard to believe with such a bad-ass name.  Eagle Claw Fist punches you with a one-two combo of hop bite and malty sweetness with ninja like balance.  I am damn near speechless.  Eagle Claw Fist starts out with a malty sweetness that quickly transitions to a citrusy hop bite and finishes clean and crisp.  Clown Shoes Beer is no joke, more so Eagle Claw Fist will whoop your taste buds into a state of Craft Beer nirvana.  It may only be February but I feel that this brew will be a serious contender in my picks for Greatest Craft Beers of 2011.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Clown Shoes for choosing Chicagoland as your next market to invade…it won’t be long before the people pour into the streets cheering, “Clown Shoes! Clown Shoes! Clown Shoes!”

ABV:  8.0%

Consumed: Trinity Brewing Company Glass

Verdict: Buy A Keg (Hell Buy a Truckload!!)