December 20th, 2024 - 25 to Life for the Bin Chicken

 

Happy Friday hellions, rockers, and craft brew lovers!  Your pal the Meista is here getting the weekend off the right way with a pairing of the tasty and crushable Bin Chicken Aussie Mid Ale from Offset Bier Company and rocking out to "25 To Life", a killer live album by the mighty Australian hard rock outfit Rose Tattoo!  Hell yeah!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Rose Tattoo
• Title: "25 To Life"
• Recorded: 1999 at the Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival in Wacken, Germany
  Release date: 2000 (1st live album by Rose Tattoo)
• Record company: SPV GmbH 
• Production: Rainer Hänsel
• Album cover art: ? 
• Personnel: Angry Anderson (lead vocals), Paul Demarco (drums), Steve King (bass and backing vocals), Rob Riley (guitar and backing vocals), and Pete Wells (slide guitar and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy blues rock, heavy metal 
• Sound: What I've always loved about this band since I first discovered them when I was a junior high school-aged kid is the straight-up, hard-core, old-school hard rockin' sound defined by Angry Anderson's broken glass and gravel vocals and the late, great Pete Wells' KILLER slide guitar work!  A 17-track double disc, "25 To Life" covers the entire career of the band (up to 2000 that is) and includes my all-time favorite of theirs, a 9+ minute version of "Nice Boys (Don't Play Rock 'N' Roll), one of the greatest hard rock songs ever recorded in my opinion... a Meista-defining song!!  Damn straight!  Other classic RT tunes include "Bad Boy For Love," "Butcher And Fast Eddie," "Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw," "Scarred For Life," "Remedy," "Juice On The Loose," and "Suicide City"!  This is definitely a "must own" album for any true rocker!!
• Major themes: Rebellion, rock and roll, fast living, violence, pain, aggression, wanderlust, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Outta This Place"
2. "Bad Boy For Love"
3. "Assault And Battery"
4. "Tramp"
5. "Butcher And Fast Eddie"
6. "Rock 'N' Roll Is King"
7. "Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw"
8. "We Can't Be Beaten"
9. "Astra Wally"
10. "Scarred For Life"
11. "Remedy"
12. "Juice On The Loose"
13. "Who's Got The Cash"
14. "One Of The Boys"
15. "Nice Boys (Don't Play Rock And Roll)"
16. "Manzil Madness"
17. "Suicide City"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Offset Bier Company (Park City, Utah)
• Website: https://offsetbier.com/
• Brew: Bin Chicken Aussie Mid Ale
• Style: Australia Lager / English Ordinary Bitter
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 3.8%
• Ingredients: Anchovy hops and Golden Promise malts
• Pour: The Bin Chicken Aussie Mid Ale pours a clear, golden-amber hue with a frothy, bright white, 1+ finger head with great retention and lots of sudsy, sticky lacing. 
• Nose: The nose is malty, grassy, floral, and grainy.  There are aromas of summer grass, wildflowers, hay, light lemon zest, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste is like the nose: crackery, malty, grainy, grassy, and slightly hoppy.  There are notes of floral hops, lemon zest, a hint of raspberry, crackery biscuit, minerals, and light caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with good carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Bin Chicken Aussie Mid Ale is very crisp and dry, yet smooth with a clean, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Offset Bin Chicken Aussie Mid Ale is a very good offering of the style... a great, low ABV, crushable brew to pair with the aggressive, bluesy kick of Rose Tattoo!  Those grassy notes go great with the darker vibe, while the crushable maltiness is great for the overall rock and roll attack!  

Cheers and hails!!

December 19th, 2024 - The Healing of Life Through a Rauchmead

 

Hello and happy Thursday!  Here's something a little different for you.  The Meista here today pairing "Lifa" by folk/chant project Heilung and a unique and flavorful Rauchmead Braggot from my buddy Dwight at Gossorino Brewing for ya!  Oh, yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Heilung
• Title: "Lifa"
• Recorded: 2017 at Castlefest at Castle Keukenhof in Lisse, the Netherlands
• Release date: April 20th, 2018 (live album by Heilung)
• Record company: Seasons Of Mist
• Production: Christopher Juul
• Album cover art: Kees Stravers (photography)
• Personnel: Kai Uwe Faust (vocals), Maria Franz (vocals), and Christopher Juul (music) with musicians Jonas Lorentzen Jacob Lund, Alex Opazo, and Juan Pino
• Warrior performers: Pan Bartkowiak, Jens de Vries, Faber Horbach, Eigen Leon Remie, Marijn Sies, Ruben Terlouw, and Gwydion Zomer
• Musical style: Experimental Scandanavian and German folk music, neofolk, Viking chants
• Sound: Wonderfully rhythmic, primitive, and mesmerizing, the live sound on "Lifa" is a powerful, yet inviting ritualistic enchantment!  The primitive drum rhythms coupled with the emotive chants are nothing short of phenomenal!
• Major themes: Nature, life, peace, pagan ritual, Viking lore and history, mythology, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Opening Ceremony"
2. "In Maidjan"
3. "Alfadhirhaiti"
4. "Carpathian Forest"
5. "Krigsgaldr"
6. "Hakkerskaldyr"
7. "Fylgija Ear / Futhorck"
8. "Othan"
9. "Hamrer Hippyer"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Gossorino Brewing (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://gossorinobrewing.com/
• Brew: Rauchmead
• Style: Braggot
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 10.0%
• IBUs: 17
• Ingredients: Base braggot brewed with Cox Mountain Honey, beechwood smoked malt, Vienna, Munich, acid, and honey malts. Hopped with Mittelfruh then fermented with SafLager W-34/70 and Lalvin EC-1118
• Pour: The Rauchmead pours a clear, bronze-amber hue with a thin, off-white head that quickly dissipates to the thin ring with very light lancing.
• Nose: The nose is a blend of sweet, smokey, and boozy notes.  There are aromas of wild honey, charred wood, liquid smoke, rich herbs, light apple, a hint of vanilla bean, and caramelly rum.
• Taste: Like the nose, the Rauchmead tastes sweet, smokey, boozy, woody, and earthy.  There are notes of rich and earthy honey, spicy herbs, smoked grains, bready malts, light apple, and rich bourbon or rum.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and with low carbonation, the mouthfeel of the is Rauchmead is silky and smooth with a dry, boozy finish with lots of lingering sweet honey notes.

Overall pairing: The compelling and unique nature of the from Gossorino Brewing is perfect for the tribal and ritualistic brilliance of Heilung's "Lifa"!  There are simplicities and complexities in both the brew and the album that are very difficult to pin down... true originals, but with a deep essence of ancient and magical things that came before... brilliant!

Skal!!

December 15th, 2024 - Rigor Mortis X 2

 

Happy Sunday and hails headbangers and craft brew fiends!  The Meista here with another great pairing for ya... the killer "Rigo Mortis" compilation album by thrash metal band Truce and a tasty Rigor Mortis Amber Ale from Vernal Brewing Company!   Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Truce 
• Title: "Rigor Mortis"
• Recorded: 1988 through 1991 at Ken's World's Best Studio
• Release date: October 27th, 2023 (compilation album by Truce)
• Record company: Metallic Blue Records
• Production: Nyk Fry, Dan Naylor, and Truce 
• Album cover art: Romolo Tavani
• Personnel: Brent Barker (guitars), Steve Busch (guitars), Paul Gilbert (drums), Paul Griffin (drums), Jim Miller (guitars), Dallen Singleton (drums), Tracy "Rooster" Sweetring (bass), and Sean Young (lead vocals)
• Musical style: Thrash metal with elements of death metal
• Sound: Aggressive, high-energy, and brutal as hell, Truce is the definitive Utah thrash metal band!  This no holds bar band has been wrecking necks since 1984 and gets heavier and better with age!  The guitar work is fiery, fierce, and soars like a fucking jet fighter!  Rooster lays down a thunderous rhythm that will split your head open!  And the vocals are wonderfully honest and brutal! 
• Major themes: Violence, aggression, murder, booze, heavy metal, insanity, power, death, etc.
• "Rigor Mortis" collects songs from the "Nictophobic" demo (1988), the "Truce" album (1989), and the "Systematic Slaves" demo (1991).
• Tracks: 

1. "Nightmare"
2. "UGG"
3. "Pyscho Bitch"
4. "A.L.P.F."
5. "Nictophobic"
6. "License To Kill"
7. "Sunshine Of Your Love" (Cream cover)
8. "Innocence Of Wrath"
9. "Everybody Must Get Stoned" (Bob Dylan cover)
10. "Rigor Mortis"
11. "Euthanasia"
12. "UGG" (1989 version)
13. "Systematic Slaves"
14. "Pray To The Porcelain God"
15. "Be All That You Can Be"
16. "Necropolis City"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Vernal Brewing Company (Vernal, Utah)
• Website: http://www.vernalbrewingco.com/home-1.html
• Brew: Rigor Mortis Amber Ale
• Style: Amber Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Rigor Mortis pours an opaque, dark copper-orange with a 2+ finger, frothy and creamy off-white head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is malty, grainy, sweet, and slightly hoppy.  There are aromas of freshly baked multi-grain bread, caramel, dark fruit, honey, summer grass, and hints of pine.
• Taste: An incredibly well-balanced beer, the taste of the Rigor Mortis Amber is a blend of sweet and hearty malts with floral hops.  There are notes of toasty and roasty malts, fresh bread, hearty grains, sweet toffee, clover honey, dank and floral hops, and herbs.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is smooth, slightly chewy, and hearty with a clean, somewhat dry finish.

Overall pairing: The hearty malt flavor of the Rigor Mortis Amber Ale from Vernal Brewing Company is great for the intense metal complexities and aggression of the mighty Truce!  And those sweeter, caramel/toffee notes are perfect for the wonderful guitar solos!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Horns up!!

December 14th, 2024 - Damp Sexual Carnage

 

Hello and hails metal maniacs and hop heads!  Happy Saturday!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here today rocking the hell out to "Sexual Carnage", the kick-ass debut album by Brazilian death metal band Sextrash and a hoppy and delicious Damp 24.05 Fresh Hop Pale Ale from the fine folks at Offset Bier Company!  Hell yeah!! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Sextrash
• Title: "Sexual Carnage"
• Recorded: September 1990 at J.G. Estudios in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  Release date: September 1990 (1st full-length studio album by Sextrash) 
• Record company: Cogumelo Records
• Production: Gauguin and Sextrash
• Album cover art: Borges (photography)
• Personnel: Damned Sentry (guitars), D.D. Crazy (drums), Freddy Krueger (bass), and Pussy Ripper (vocals)
• Musical style: Death metal, thrash metal
• Sound: With influence from bands like Sarcofago and Sepultura, the sound on "Sexual Carnage" is raw, heavy as hell, and fiery fast!
• Major themes: Death, hedonism, sex, blasphemy, evil, seduction, booze, insanity, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Intro"
2. "Psychoneurosis"
3. "Delirium Tremens"
4. "The Insatiable Pleasure Of Delight"
5. "Seduced By Evil"
6. "Alcoholic Mosh"
7. "Obscene Symphony"
8. "Black Church"
9. "Night Pigs"
10. "Genital Tumor"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Offset Bier Company (Park City, Utah)
• Website: https://offsetbier.com/
• Brew: Damp 24.05
• Style: Fresh Hop Pale Ale
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Buzz malt, wet Mosaic, freshly kilned Citra, and HBC 1019 hops
• Pour: The Damp 24.05 pours a very hazy, pale golden-yellow hue with a frothy, bright white, half finger head with good sustain and lots of sticky lacing. 
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, and slightly malty.  There are aromas of tangerine, grapefruit rind, stone fruit (peach and apricot), cantaloupe, fresh, green hops, pine resin, and light, crackery biscuit.
• Taste: The taste is like the nose: fruity, citrusy, hoppy, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice, honeydew melon, fresh peaches, light mango, dank pine, grassy, green hops, and soft, sweet toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Damp 24.05 is very crisp, yet soft and smooth with a dry, clean, and slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and aggressive, yet fruity and complex flavors and aromas of Damp 24.05 Fresh Hop Pale Ale from Offset Bier Company are perfect for the of Sextrash!  Those big, bright, and hoppy citrus notes are great for the fierce guitar work, while the sweeter tropical and malt notes are great for the overt sexuality!

Saúde and hails!!

December 13th, 2024 - The Haze Between Uncertain Hours

 

Hello and happy Friday metal maniacs and hopheads!  The Meista here raising a pint and rocking the hell out to a pairing of a delicious and juicy The Haze Between (Deadhead IPA Series) from DESTIHL Brewery and "The Uncertain Hour", the brilliant 3rd album by the mighty Graveshadow!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Graveshadow
• Title: "The Uncertain Hour"
• Recorded: 2022 at Pus Cavern in Sacramento, California
• Release date: July 15th, 2022 (3rd full-length studio album by Graveshadow)
• Record company: M-Theory Audio
• Production: Justin Aufdemkampe
• Album cover art: Roman Ismaylov
• Personnel: Bones Padilla (drums), Rachl "Raxx" Quinn (lead vocals), Luci Rae (bass), Aaron Robitsch (guitars, vocals, and keyboards), and William Lloyd Walker (guitars)
• Guest musician: Chelsea Murphy (vocals on "The Swordsman")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal with elements of progressive metal, death metal, and symphonic metal
• Sound: A very solid and powerful musical journey, the tracks on "The Uncertain Hour" provide wonderfully crafted and executed songcraft.  Riff-driven, each song is its own little sonic journey with a nod to classic metal while exploring new territory.
• Major themes: With songs steeped in fantasy, folklore, and anime, the album explores themes of good vs. evil, sword play, valor, life and death, war, violence, hope, etc.
• Tracks:

1. "Soldier Of 34"
2. "Gwynnbleidd"
3. "Sea Of Apparitions"
4. "The Swordsman"
5. "Vengeance Of Envy"
6. "Beautiful End"
7. "The Betrayer"
8. "Shadow Battles"
9. "The Two Lived"
10. "Damsel's Finesse"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: DESTIHL Brewery (Normal, Illinois)
• Website: https://www.destihl.com/
• Brew: The Haze Between (Deadhead IPA Series)
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.7%
• Ingredient: 2-row barley malt, flaked oats, and wheat combined with Citra, Simcoe, El Dorado®, and Idaho 7™ hops
• Pour: The Haze Between pours a very hazy, pale golden-yellow with a frothy, bright white, 1+ finger head with good retention and lots of sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy, tropical, floral, dank, and herbal.  There are aromas of tangerine, zesty orange peel, lemon zest, grapefruit rind, pineapple, mango, wildflowers, bold pine resin, herbal tea, crackery biscuit, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: Like the nose, the taste of The Haze Between is citrusy, tropical, slightly acidic, earthy, and herbal.  Hop-forward, there are notes of tangerine, pink grapefruit juice, orange juice, mango, grassy hops, orange tea, pine, and sweet toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, juicy, and smooth with a dry, bitter, slightly boozy finish.

Overall pairing: Those punchy and juicy hop flavors of the DESTIHL The Haze Between are dangerously crushable and work great with the overall explosive power that is Graveshadow!  The sweeter, tropical notes go great with the powerful vocals and soaring guitars while the piney bite goes great with the more aggressive elements of the band!  'Nuff said!

Make sure to check out my interview with Graveshadow lead vocalist Rachl "Raxx" Quinn here: https://youtu.be/TDRuMEcy9qk

Cheers and hails!!

December 12th, 2024 - The Prophetic & the Odd

 

Good evening!  Here's something a little different for you.  The Meista here tonight pairing "The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vols. 1 & 2" by Herbie Nichols and a unique and flavorful Odd Brewin' from my buddy Dwight at Gossorino Brewing for ya!  This pairing goes out to my friend Jared, who shared this wonderful album with me, as shared this wonderful brew with him!  Cheers brother!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Herbie Nichols
• Title: "The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vols. 1 & 2"
• Recorded: May 6th and 13th, 1955 at Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey
• Release date: 1955 (1st and 2nd studio albums by Herbie Nichols)
• Record company: Blue Note
• Production: Alfred Lion
• Album cover art: Martin Craig
• Personnel: Herbie Nichols (piano) with Art Blakey (drums) and Al McKibbon (bass)
• Musical style: Jazz
• Sound: Wonderfully original, timeless, and ground-breaking, the tracks on "The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vols. 1 & 2" are everything you want and need in jazz piano!  Nichols blends old school jazz with more modern be-bop and swing.  And boy does he swing!
• Major themes: As these are all instrumental jazz compositions, themes are open to interpretation, though the song titles may give some clues to their meanings.  I leave that to each listener.
• Note: Obscure at his time, Herbie Nichols is now heralded by listeners and critics as a phenomenon.  Sadly, Nichols died in 1963 of leukemia at the age of 44.
• Tracks: 

1. "Dance Line"
2. "Step Tempest"
3. "The Third World"
4. "Blue Chopsticks"
5. "Double Exposure"
6. "Cro-Magnon Nights"
7. Amoeba's Dance"
8. "Crisp Day"
9. "2300 Skiddoo"
10. "It Didn't Happen"
11. "Shuffle Montgomery"
12. "Brass Rings"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Gossorino Brewing (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://gossorinobrewing.com/
• Brew: Odd Brewin'
• Style: Flanders Oud Bruin
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 7.0%
• Pour: The Odd Brewin' pours a with lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a wicked blend of tartness, wild yeast, fruit ester, and earthy funk.  There are aromas of vinous grapes, cherry juice, horse blanket, aged leather, cocoa, light lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and oak.
• Taste: Like the nose, the Odd Brewin' tastes vinous, tart, sweet, slightly boozy, woody, earthy, and funky.  There are notes of Pinot Noir, tart cherry and lemon juice, Tootsie Rolls, oak, wild yeast, plum, and leather.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Odd Brewin' is tart, sharp, funky, and woody with a dry finish with lots of lingering sour notes.

Overall pairing: The compelling nature of the Odd Brewin' from Gossorino Brewing is perfect for the uniquely compelling and mesmerizing sound of Herbie Nichols' keys on his amazing "The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vols. 1 & 2" albums!  There are complexities in both the brew and the album that are very difficult to pin down... true originals, but with an essence of things that came before... brilliant!

Cheers!!

December 8th, 2024 - Gato Grande Diabolicca

 

Hello and happy Sunday my rocking, rolling, and beer lovin' friends!  The Meister here today pairing "Diabolicca", the sophomore album by the mighty Spanish metal band Ángeles del Infierno and a tasty, robust, yet easy-drinking Gato Grande Mexican Dark Lager from the fine folks at Iron Horse Brewery!  Oh, yeah!!  Special thanks to my friend Brad Davis for giving me this tasty brew... thanks brother!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Ángeles del Infierno
• Title: "Diabolicca"
• Recorded: February 1985 at Mediterráneo Studios in Ibiza, Spain
• Release date: March 1st, 1985 (2nd studio album by Ángeles del Infierno)
• Record company: WEA / Warner Music Spain
• Production: Ángeles del Infierno
• Album cover art: Rufino Vigil
• Personnel: Robert Alvarez (guitars), Juan Gallardo (lead vocals), Manu Garcia (guitars), Iñaki Munita (drums), and Santi Rubio (bass)
• Musical style: Traditional heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: With heavy influence from bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, Ángeles del Infierno sophomore album, "Diabolicca" continues the metal assault laid down on their first album and is another powerful testament to the talent of this band, their songcraft, and delivery! 
• Major themes: Rock and roll, rebellion, crime, darkness, evil, damnation, desire, addiction, lust, death, power, captivity, etc. 
• Tracks:  
1. "Fuera De La Ley"
2. "Con Las Botas Puestas"
3. "Dame Amor"
4. "Junkie"
5. "Al Otro Lado Del Silencio"
6. "Héroes Del Poder"
7. "Vivo O Muerto"
   
8. "Prisionero"
9. "No Pares"
10. "Diabolicca"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Iron Horse Brewery (Washington)
• Website: https://www.ironhorsebrewery.com/
• Brew: Gato Grande Mexican Dark Lager
• Style: Dark Mexican Lager
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 4.7%
• Pour: The Gato Grande pours a deep, mahogany red with a 2+ finger, off-white, light and frothy head with great retention and lots of soapy, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a characterized by malty, crackery, grainy, slightly fruity, and herbal aromas.  There are aromas of cracked wheat, toasted bread, grainy maze, a hint of lemon zest, a splash of apple, light herbal hops, and soft caramel.
• Taste: Well-balanced, the Gato Grande has a nice blend of bready, grainy, malty, sweet, and herbal flavors.  There are notes of toasted bread, bread crust, corn chips, a hint of lemon zest, light honey, soft caramel/toffee, and herbal hops.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet very smooth with a dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing: The Iron Horse Gato Grande is a very crisp, delicious, and crushable brew... a great companion to the metal might of Ángeles del Infierno's killer "Diabolicca" album!  'Nuff said!

Salud!!  Hails!!