Clown Shoes Blaecorn Unidragon

Today I'm drinking Clown Shoes Blaecorn Unidragon brewed by Mercury Brewing Company in Ipswich, Massachusetts. So these guys have a reputation for crazy names for beers. This time they couldn't decide on Black Unicorn or Soul Dragon for this Russian Imperial Stout, so they just combined both and made up two new words. They really outdid themselves when they illustrated the Blaecorn Unidragon on the label too--very cool unicorn-dragon combo. And it's pissed off too. Clown Shoes is the only brewery I've ever seen use the word "imbued" too--probably a bunch of literature nerds when not brewing? Finally, this beer was "designed to improve with age".

Smells fabulous! Rich chocolate, nice roast, coffee, nutty, just a perfect aroma. Rich chocolate flavors up front, with a body that totally coats the mouth. Thick, a meal in itself. Some coffee and a light roast add a touch of bitterness toward the beginning as well. Hello 12.5% alcohol with your warmth and faint burn--nice to meet you. The alcohol is noticeable but only as an enhancer to the other flavors, surprisingly well-incorporated for the content level.

After a few sips from Big 22, some smokey and ashy flavors sneak into the scene. At that point the beer tastes a little drier. Sipping and enjoying this bottle, I tried to pick out a few more nuances. Burnt sugar and licorice came to mind and palate. Definitely a complex beer.

This was a monster in disguise. Well-balanced, with sweet and hoppy flavors intermingled--lightly bitter overall. Great body, moderate carbonation was spot on. The chocolaty coffee flavors linger long after each sip. And some additional heat tingles in the chest at the end too. Big 22 was probably a little too much to drink solo, and considering I have no friends, I am challenging Clown Shoes to bottle this in 12's. Regardless, you have my permission to use your One Bomber Pass of the month to grab this beer. Don't let me catch you buying two!