So there I was at my desk, scrolling through my favorite beer group, Honest Craft Beer Reviews, when I saw a post about Clown Shoes Snow on the Maple Tree Imperial Stout Aged in Maple Bourbon Barrels that someone was enjoying. Hadn’t I had that beer, I thought? I was fairly sure that I had. I hopped on over to my website and pulled up my Clown Shoes page, but alas, no listing for Snow on the Maple Tree there. My Excel spreadsheet, though, had it listed, and a quick search of Honest Craft Beer Reviews revealed a post from me on March 7^th of 2019. Ironic, that, because my last trip to Taco Mac was on March 5th of 2020, just before Covid hit hard.

I was at Taco Mac enjoying a glass that night, and as I usually do when I am there, I had included tasting notes. As I type, it is December of 2020, and thanks to Covid, I have not been to Taco Mac since March. It’s nice to reminisce on one I enjoyed there in the past, though, and look forward to that day coming soon (thanks to the vaccine) when I can go there again.

Clown Shoes says:

A fresh sheet of snow clings to the limbs of the great Maple Tree. The ancient maple provides this frigid winter’s day with a touch of majesty as it glimmers in the afternoon sun. We take our Undead Party Crasher American Imperial Stout and age it in bourbon barrels that aged premium maple syrup to create Snow on the Maple Tree. A strong and sweet taste of maple flows throughout, with dark malts providing a rich and full-bodied flavor.

They list the following ingredients:

Ingredients: Chocolate malts, oats, lactose, aged in maple bourbon barrels

Maple Tree Imperial Stout Aged in Maple Bourbon Barrels has an alcohol content of 11.2% by volume, and I paid $11 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac. Total Wine sells it for $11.99 for a 19.2 ounce can or $14.99 for a bomber bottle. I have never seen it sold in Georgia.

Clown Shoes Snow on the Maple Tree Imperial Stout Aged in Maple Bourbon Barrels pours to a jet-black color with a thin creamy tan head and roasty espresso and maple syrup in the nose. Taking a sip, the beer is full bodied with a thick rich mouthfeel, bold maple syrup, espresso, licorice, cocoa powder, and rich roasty and warming with alcohol in the finish.

Clown Shoes Snow on the Maple Tree is pricey at a buck an ounce on tap, but this beer can back it up.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, Canned

(D)=Draft