January 8th, 2012 - A Little Local (Utah) Color (Black!)

Well kids, it is your lucky day!  Bonus round!!  (It is Sunday afternoon after all...) 

I thought I would highlight some local talent today from here in Salt Lake... on the darker side!!  I've chosen to pair Bohemian Brewery's Cherny Bock (a favorite and staple of mine) and black/death metal act extraordinaire, Arsenic Addiction and their second album, "An Undertaker's Lament"... not for the faint at heart... on either count! 

Taken from their website at http://www.bohemianbrewery.com/:  "The word Cherny litteraly means ‘black‘ in Czech referring to the color of the rather surprising dark Schwartzbeir with gentle bitterness to appeal your palette.  A true gem to be discovered by specialty beer lovers."  Ain't that the truth!  And Arsenic Addiction's "An Undertaker's Lament" is also a dark and true gem for metal lovers.  With the richness in color coupled by the richness in flavor, these two make a perfect pair on a cold, January afternoon.

Now then... lets start at the beginning.  "An Undertaker's Lament" opens with the short and melodic instrumental, "Invocation" leading into the "Lady Death" intro, which transitions abruptly into a searing, explosive and powerful verse that shoots you right between the eyes!  Similarly, the Cherny Bock's color and nose as you pour into your glass invoke a beautiful melody, but a depth you find with stouts and porters.  A thin foam of head sits gently aloft a blackness fit for "Lady Death" herself.  The initial taste is rich, slightly smoky, and powerful.... and this from a 4 point Schwartzbeir!  And yet it is very drinkable.

Like the infusion of singer, Lady Arsenic's soaring and haunting melodies and her almost "demonic" howling growls and screams, Bohemian blends a smoky, coffee-like flavor with a nutty, medium body.  The intense and brilliant guitar work of Ripper and Plague coupled with The Professor's (drums) and Butcher's (bass) pounding beats on "The Black Lullaby" is the perfect tune for the richness of the Cherny Bock while "Dearly Beloved," "Scream of the Banshee," and "Benediction" appeal to the "menace and melody" of the "gentle bitterness" of the beer.  I think those two phrases combined really sum up the pairing of this wonderful beer and this wondeful album... a gentle and melodic menacing bitterness!  Black truly is beautiful!

Make sure you check out Bohemian's Cherny Bock and their other fine beers at http://www.bohemianbrewery.com/ and learn more about the darker sounds of Arsenic Addiction at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/DoseOfArsenic?sk=info!  “Have you had your daily dose of Arsenic?”