Karbach Brewing Co. Rodeo Clown Double IPA

May 17th, 2012 by Scott in Other Beer Reviews

American Craft Beer Week celebrates the small brewery. One of the newest breweries in the Houston area is Karbach Brewing Co. The owners, Chuck Robertson and Ken Goodman, sold their beer distribution business in order to start Karbach. The brewery is housed in the old beer distribution warehouse on Karbach Street in Houston, and they currently brew five different beers.

Rodeo Clown Double IPA is one of their newer brews (well, newer as in it wasn’t one of the three they started with). The QR code on the side of the can takes you to the Rodeo Clown page of the Karbach Brewing Co. website.

I believe this is the first beer review for the site where the beer came from a can. Karbach only distributes its beers in cans and kegs; a four-pack of Rodeo Clown will run you around $10.

From the can:

It’s a job. And a hazardous one at that. Benefits, you ask? I hardly think so. But the show must go on. So, it’s with bravado that the Rodeo Clown takes his place in the arena lights. Whether or not he’s insane is not important right now. It’s with grit and intensity that the Clown steps in the path of almost certain destruction. Our Double IPA is much the same. At 9.5% ABV, Rodeo Clown Double IPA coats the tongue in bitterness and packs a punch that will knock a bull on its ass . Intense and maybe a little insane drink carefully, but drink often. Ladies and Gentlemen, let the show begin.

Rodeo Clown pours a cloudy orange color with about an inch of light tan head. The nose is full of piney hops and citrus scents. The bitter hops take center stage when taking a sip, but it also has a bit of a boozy flavor (probably due to the 9.5% ABV) as well as orange and caramel flavors. Those bitter hops linger on the tongue for a long time. It’s lightly carbonated and fairly full-bodied.

I like this one from Karbach and hope to try more of their beers in the future. At this point Karbach’s distribution is limited to Houston, so you’ll have to come down here if you want to try some. If you’re in the area, I recommend checking them out. They host tours of the brewery (with samples) on Fridays and Saturdays; sounds like a good time!