Clown Shoes, an Ipswich Massachusetts brewery pouring at the 3rd Annual Local Craft Brewfest on Oct 5th, all started with a Beer Advocate naming competition. But the story’s a little different than you’d expect. The group’s name didn’t make the top five. Still, the group started to wonder, why not just create a beer anyway? What started as an idea became a full-fledged project to brew a real Clown Shoes beer all its own. Once the beer started pouring, people started drinking, and Clown Shoes kept on brewing. The name Clown Shoes represents this whimsical founding, the humble “to produce beer without pretension” while still retaining a bit of that crazy starting spirit.
Now you’ve most likely come across their beers pouring in Massachusetts, New England, and beyond–the Clementine Witbier is one my favorite choices when it’s on tap at Deep Ellum in Allston, MA–as well noticed their unique illustrated labels lining the shelf at local stores. The brewery is part of a growing and varied local beer scene that they see as crazier and exciting than ever before, with new breweries emerging almost every day adding to their desire in participating in the Brewfest. It’s the perfect time to swap brewing war stories. But they’re not just a part of the local scene, they’re also using local ingredients in crafting their styles. The Imperial Stout, Vampire Slayer, uses local malts and is smoked at a Western Mass smoke house over beechwood (and vampire stakes).
At this year’s Local Craft Brewfest you’ll be able to sample one of their many brews. Clown Shoes always keep their on tap events stocked with diverse lineup of styles so everyone can find something to taste and enjoy. This year’s lineup will be determined the week before and by October they should have over 15 styles to try. The team is also excited about the Brewfest because they love Boston and “the local push that has been happening over the last few years.” mentioning that the festival’s location “is in a perfect place” given the exciting food and drink scene popping up on the waterfront.
So come check out Clown Shoes (and others) at the 3rd Annual Local Craft Brewfest on the Harbor Park at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse on Oct. 5th 2013. The event is a prelude to this year’s Boston Local Food Festival following on Oct. 7th. The participation of local breweries like Clown Shoes and many more are sure to make it a great kick-off to celebrating Boston’s local food scene this year.
This post was written by Lindsey Frances Jones of Made By Francis, go check her out!