WILK Friday BeerBuzz – Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet 1.5 w/Matt Smith

Beer is all about fun…it’s a social beverage and a drink that brings people together.  While we all can appreciate the time and effort brewers put into their beer, and while I know it is very serious business, sometimes it’s nice to just have fun with beer.

Enter Clown Shoes Beer and the fun will begin immediately.  Coming to us from Ipswich, MA, Clown Shoes beer has been on the scene since 2009 and in a very short period of time they have found a following.  Before you dismiss the beers as all marketing or form over function, stop and drink a few.  It’s no accident or marketing trickery that has put Clown Shoes in over 28 states, with more to come, and it’s no accident that they have 20+ different beers covering every standard beer style as well as a few of their own.

Today we welcomed Matt Smith from Clown Shoes beer on to the show to talk beer (and Clown Shoes).  Before we go too much further, we should point out that Matt will be at AuRants on March 26th to pour some Clown Shoes beers so be sure to go check out the beers AND say hi to Matt.  It was a lot of fun talk beer with Matt, and really interesting to see how Clown Shoes got it’s start and it’s name.  Yes we had to ask Matt about their latest beer coming in April…Galactica DIPA…and of course we sampled beer too.

With so many choices out there in the Clown Shoes lineup, it was hard to taste just one…so we didn’t.  Up first was a new version of the beer that started it all for Clown Shoes….Hoppy Feet 1.5,  This Double Black IPA was brewed as part of the 1st anniversary for Clown Shoes and it is loaded with Amarillo & Columbus hops.  Maybe it’s the double dry hopping or maybe it’s the malty balance, but either way you’re going to love this double black IPA.

A story about Clown Shoes would not be complete without addressing a bit of controversy.  As you can see, some of their labels drew some fire and criticism as being sexist or offensive.  One such label, Tramp Stamp ignited the fire…but much of the “sexist-fire” was doused when people realized the artist was actually a woman, Stacey George.  Check out her response here.

As a tribute to Stacey we decided to also sample Tramp Stamp today.  This beer is a big Belgian IPA that is loaded with yeasty and citrus flavors thanks in part to the sweet orange peel and centennial hops.  It’s flavor is bold and complex and it finishes clean so it’s real easy to drink. 

Be sure to get out and try Clown Shoes beers…whether it’s at AuRants or otherwise, you will not be disappointed.  And be sure to stop and enjoy the label art and say thank you to Stacey George.

Thank you to Matt Smith from Clown Shoes Beer, Nancy, John & Joe for yet another

fun Friday.

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together.As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.
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