March 30th, 2013 - In A Westvleteren Daze Here!

Hello there rockers, boozers, and rebels!  The Meista here with a pairing of rarities, artistry, and craftsmanship for you today.  We are going with a highly coveted and not easily obtained Westvleteren 8 this evening for our drinking pleasure.  And I couldn't think of anything better to go with an authentic Trappist Belgian brew than the 1970s doom metal power that is Pentagram!  This pairing is fondly and sincerely dedicated to my pals Justin Meads and Laura McAnanay!  And my dear friends, Chad and Stephanie!  Cheers!

Heavily influenced by the likes of Blue Cheer, Captain Beyond, UFO, Uriah Heep, and especially Black Sabbath, the original Pentagram was a somewhat short-lived, yet highly influential American doom metal band from the early 1970s.  Prolific in the underground scene in the DC area, Pentagram only released demos and singles and did not release a full-length studio album until a reformed band was put together in the 1980s by vocalist/founding member Bobby Liebling (the only constant member and owner to the rights of the name.)  "First Daze Here" is a compilation of the original, "classic" lineup of Liebling, Vincent McAllister on guitar, Greg Mayne on bass, and Geof O’Keefe on drums.  Along with bands like Wino's Saint Vitus and Witchfinder General, Pentagram were one of the first true doom metal bands, influenced by Black Sabbath and would influence bands like Candlemass, Cathedral, and Trouble.   Characterized by down-tuned guitars, thunderously heavy drumming, and Liebling's Rod Evans-like voice, Pentagram is a powerhouse of sound.  Complex, richly layered, and fantastically executed,  the collected work on "First Daze Here" is engaging, powerful, and at once, fully encompassing.  Every song on this compilation is amazing.  From opening track, "Forever My Queen" to the final explosive notes of "Last Days Here," this album by this band is a wonderful experience of true heavy and masterful doom metal.  Sadly, Liebling's continual drug abuse would lead to collapse of each incarnation of a a band that could have... (strike that) should have been huge.

Westvleteren 8 is an authentic Belgian ale from Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren) in the long tradition of Trappist monk brewing.  Founded in 1838 inside the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren in the Belgian municipality of Vleteren, the Westvleteren brewery operates in the simplest terms, yet creates ales of such profound complexity and depth.  As with "First Daze Here," the Westvleteren 8 is insanely dynamic and perfectly balanced.  It pours a deep mahogany with a frothy 1-2 finger mocha head in a tulip glass.  Sustained and intricate lacing characterizes the head.  The nose is an explosion of aromas.  There are rich earth notes, sweet dark ester notes, oak, and vanilla, and even some more subtle tart notes.  Like the nose and the depth of Pentagram, the flavor is incredibly complex and intriguing.  Full-bodied and malt-forward, the Westvleteren 8 is characterized by a multitude of wonderful flavors.  There are notes of raisin, plum, fig, and other dark fruits initially along with burnt caramel or toffee and cocoa in the mid-range.  As my buddy Chad stated of this ale, it is "like drinking a Tootsie Roll."   It warms with a woodsy apple note and a clean, dry finish.  I'm not sure if I can really do this great beer any justice, but it truly is amazing!

You won't have an easy time finding a Westvleteren 8 as it is not sold outside of Belgium, but it is well worth the effort of obtaining.  However, you can easily order a copy of Pentagram's "First Daze Here" from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop by going to www.heavymetalshop.com!   You can also check out this great article on Westvleteren at http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/flanders%2Btoday/1.1206119.

"SSST... HIER RIJPT DE [PENTAGRAM!]"

March 29th, 2013 - Bock, Hell, And Angels

Alright!  The Meista here with another kick-ass pairing for you today... and this is a biggie!  How about some Niner Bock from Roosters Brewing Company and the new Jimi Hendrix album, "People, Hell, and Angels"?  Damn straight!!

A German style lager, the Niner Bock pours a wonderfuly rich, mahogany-copper amber with a 1-finger, mocha head that displays modereate to strong and sustained lacing.  The nose is malty and hoppy with a hint of smokiness.  There are notes of hot buttered rum and toffee.  Medium to full-bodied with a dry finish, the Niner Bock's mouthfeel is somewhat sticky, but fully refreshing.  Earthy and slightly sweet, the flavor is robust and fairly complex.  There are notes of toasted German malt, caramel, toffee, and rich soil.  There are some more subtle baked bread and even some soft dark fruit notes as well.  The hops give it a nice dry finish.  The Niner Bock comes in at 9% ABV so it has a nice kick as well, but without a boozy flavor.

Released on March 5th, 2013, "People, Hell, and Angels" is the 4th posthumous release from the Experience Hendrix label.  The album contains 12 previously unreleased studio recordings from the unfinished "First Rays of the New Rising Sun" recording sessions in 1968-1970 with Billy Cox (bass), Buddy Miles (drums), Mitch Mitchell (drums), and Juma Sultan (congos).  There's also some great sax playing from Lonnie Youngblood on "Let Me Move You."  As you can expect from any Hendrix album, the guitar work, songwriting, and delivery is almost overwhelmingly brilliant.  As writer William Clark stated, "Between the downright fantastic music, to the production quality and the attention to detail, this new album is something any established Hendrix fan should easily be able to get into and passionately enjoy time and time again."  I would take it step further and proclaim that not only is this a wonderfully rich and beautiful album for an "established" Hendrix fan, but even a great jump in point for new fans and the curious.  This is a master musician engaging his art with profundity, honesty, and unparalled depth.  Hendrix's "People, Hell, and Angels" explores hard rock, blues, funk, and soul.  From the opening note of "Earth Blues" to the finale fading note of "Villanova Junction Blues," Hendrix takes you on a journey of musical and spiritual discovery.  And the version of "Hear My Train A Comin'" is simply breathtaking!

Check out Roosters Brewing Company's Niner Bock and their other great ales at www.roostersbrewing.com and pick up a copy of "People, Hell, and Angels" by Jimi Hendrix for an afternoon/evening of richly complex sounds and flavors.  Cheers!

March 28th, 2013 - A Stella Artois For A Bad, Bad Boy!!

Good evening friends!  The Meista here tonight pairing John Sykes' live 2004 album, "Bad Boy Live!" and a Stella Artois Premium Lager.

An accomplished solo guitar/singer/songwriter, John Sykes is probably best known for his guitar work with Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and Blue Murder.  His signature guitar tone and vibrato on his signature 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom is not easily missed or matched and has inspired many a guitar player over the years.  Recorded live in Japan during the 2004 tour, "Bad Boy Live!" includes songs from Sykes' solo work along with his work with Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, and Blue Murder.  Sykes employs a monster touring band made up with Marco Mendoza on bass, Derek Sherinian on keyboards, and the one and only Tommy Aldridge on drums!  Each song is delivered with musical mastery, hard rock sensibility, and passion.  The guitar work on "Crying In The Rain" alone is worth the price of the album, but the delivery of each song is fantastic.  A favorite of mine, "Look In His Eyes" from the 1997 Sykes album "20th Century" slays on this live album!  The version of Blue Murder's "Jelly Roll" is rich, warm, and honest.  "Still Of The Night" is just brutally aggressive and delivered with ballsy power and dead-on musical precision.  And the two tracks from Thin Lizzy's last album, "Thunder And Lightning" are powerhouse rockers.

Stella Artois Premium Lager is a beer in the European style lagers.  I thought this would be a good pairing for the old-school, English-style hard rock/metal sound of Sykes.  The Stella pours a transparent hay-gold with a thin head.  The nose is sweet and malty.  It reminds me of most light English or German lagers.  The flavor is sweet, light, and refreshing.  Nothing fancy, nothing frilly, the Stella goes down smooth and easy... great for pumping your fists to the power of John Sykes and his bad boy band!

March 24th, 2013 - Welcome To My Rochefort 8

Welcome to my blog-mare!  Welcome to today's pairing!  Welcome to a kick-ass album and a kick-ass ale!  Welcome to a pairing of the rather underrated 1975 album from Alice Cooper, "Welcome To My Nightmare" with a Trappistes Rochefort 8 from Brasserie de Rochefort!  This pairing today goes out to my friends Justin Meads and Laura McAnany... and to the amazing Kevin Kirk, proprietor of the Heavy Metal Shop... cheers!!

"Welcome To My Nightmare" was the first album Vincent Damon Furnier (a.k.a. Alice Cooper) released without the original band and the eighth under the name Alice Cooper.  A concept album, "Welcome To My Nightmare" tells the rather horrific tale of a boy named Stephen and his haunting nightmares.  Musical personnel included the incredible Bob Ezrin (producer/keyboards/guitars), Dick Wagner (guitars), Steve Hunter (guitars), Tony Levin (bass,) Pentti “Whitey” Glan (drums), and the amazing narration talents of horror genre god, Vincent Price on "The Black Widow."  Opening and title track "Welcome To My Nightmare" is pure magic... it simply grooves.  And those opening acoustic guitar notes slay me with every listen.  The Coop's voice is at its best: honest, creepy, and almost spiritual.  My favorite two tracks of the album (which blend into one another), "Devil's Food/The Black Widow" are rocking genius!  "Some Folks" is reminiscent of "Schools Out" while "Department Of Youth" is just good old-fashioned, rocking fun.  "Only Women Bleed" explores spousal abuse with brutal honesty and integrity.  The album ends with "Years Ago/Steven/The Awakening/Escape," concluding the nightmare with succinct insanity, beauty, and depth. 

The Trappistes Rochefort 8 from Brasserie de Rochefort is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale.  It pours a lovely, deep toffee/date colored amber with a creamy, 1-2 finger, mocha head with good sustainability, yet little lacing.  The nose is dominated by notes of fresh pair and Belgian yeast and baked bread along with some softer notes of dark fruit ester.  The mouthfeel is perfection... full-bodied, initially sharp carbonation that softens on the back of the tongue, and ultimately refreshing.  The flavors are very well-balanced and very complex.  It is all at once malty, sweet, tangy, dry, fruity, and boozy, but perfectly blended.  There are notes of oak, slight bourbon, autumn apples, fig, date, prune, and raisin along with spicy clove, nutmeg, and a hint of cinnamon.  And the finish is nice and sweet... like a kiss from "Cold Ethyl." :)

Pick up a sixer of Trappistes Rochefort 8 from your local beer store and if you don't own a copy of
"Welcome To My Nightmare", get your ass over to www.heavymetalshop.com right now!!

Cheers and sweet dreams!!

March 23rd, 2013 - Rust In Bitter Peace

Good evening!  The Meista here with another craft beer and metal pairing for you my friends.  Tonight I've got Megadeth's 1990 monstrous "Rust In Peace" and an Argo Extra Special Bitter (ESB) from Roosters Brewing Company.

The "Rust In Peace" lineup of Megadeth is probably one of my favorites of the ever-changing band and this is  probably my favorite Megadeth album.  The album's title was actually inspired by a bumper sticker.  Singer/guitarist Dave Mustaine stated in an interview, "I was driving home from... Lake Elsinore. I was tailgating somebody, racing down the freeway, and I saw this bumper sticker on their car and it said... you know, this tongue in cheek stuff like, 'One nuclear bomb could ruin your whole day' and then I looked on the other side and it said, 'May all your nuclear weapons rust in peace' and I'm goin', Rust in Peace. Damn, that's a good title. And I'm thinkin' like, what do they mean, rust in peace? I could just see it now―all these warheads sittin' there, stockpiled somewhere like Seal Beach, you know, all covered with rust 'n' stuff with kids out there spray painting the stuff, you know." With subject matter as diverse as ballistic missile strikes, comic book anti-heroes, religion, politics, magic, and space aliens, "Rust In Peace" is a complex, thoughtful speed/thrash album of wonderful musicianship and integrity.  Lead guitarist Marty Friedman is in a word, breathtaking.  He attacks his guitar with finesse, mastery, and blistering speed!  The rhythm section of original member Dave Ellefson (bass) and Nick Menza (drums) is a thunderous metal beast!  Ellefson's jazzy thumping coupled with Menza's explosive pounding makes for great, musical bedfellows!  And Mustaine's unique voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and shredding is fantastic!  Opening track, "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" grabs your attention from the first note and then you are pulled into a wild and furious ride until the final note in finale, "Rust In Peace... Polaris"!   "Hangar 18" explores the possibilities of alien lifeforms on Earth, "Take No Prisoners" examines the issue of P.O.W.s and casualties of war, while "Dawn Patrol" explores environmental issue like global warming and greenhouse effect.  "Five Magics" and "Lucretia" are both songs of mystical fantasy.  Such a wonderful and defining metal monster!!

For a monster thrash album with some really biting lyrics and riffs, you need a bitter, monster craft beer!  Which leads us to my choice for this evening's activities, a Roosters' Argo ESB.  ESBs are more aggressive, maltier, and hoppier Bitters.  ESBs also tend to be more balanced than a regular Bitter as well and very drinkable.  True to form, Argo pours a very cloudy and deep-copper amber.  It literaly looks like apple cider.  The head is frothy and thick with very strong and sustained, bubbly lacing.  The nose is malty and slightly sweet with a subtle and hoppy bitter note that hints at what's to come.  The flavor is complex and aggressive like Mustaine's and Friedman's guitar work.  The malts are pronounced and creamy.   The Chinook hops give it some really nice bitterness in the middle of the tongue and there is a bit of a diacetyl note (somewhat oily) as well, but nothing overbearing.  There are also some really nice, soft caramel/toffee notes on the back end.  All in all, the Argo is quite dry, very drinkable, exceptionally balanced, and has a nice, clean finish.  A damn fine beer for a damn fine album!

Check out the Argo ESB and all the great beer from Roosters Brewing Company at www.roostersbrewingco.com!

Cheers!!  Hails!! 

March 17th, 2013 - Notes From The Black Lager

Since I have a good amount of Irish blood coursing through my veins, I thought I'd jump on the St. Patty's Day bandwagon and post a couple for you from the island known as Éire.  Today I'm pairing Rory Gallagher's "Notes From San Francisco" and a Guinness Black Lager.  This one is dedicated to my Grandpappy, Jimmy Patterson who passed away some 23 years ago this year.  Rest in peace and cheers Gramps!!

Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and raised in Cork, Gallagher recorded a multitude of solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s and formed the band Taste in the 1960s.  Combining American blues and English/Irish rock and hard rock, Gallagher had a rich tone steeped in stylings of Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Eric Clapton with hard rocking sensibility like Thin Lizzy, Humble Pie, and Deep Purple.  "Notes From San Francisco" was an unreleased studio album from 1977 that was packaged with a live album from 1979 and recently released as a full album in 2011.  There are some really great rock and roll, bluesy tracks like "Rue The Day," "Persuasion," "Mississippi Sheiks," "Cruise On Out," and "Brute Force & Ignorance." And the live tracks are simply mind-blowing!  Sadly, Gallagher died from severe liver damage as a result of continuous abuse of combinations of prescription medication and alcohol use over the years.  He died in 1995.

Like Gallagher's tone, the Guinness Black Lager is smooth and very drinkable.  It is a cold-brewed dark beer with roasted barley and malts with the refreshing flavor of lighter lager.  It pours almost ink-black with a creamy, mocha head.  The nose is subtle with notes of mild coffee and toffee.  Unlike a stout or a "real" Guinness, this beer is fairly clean and mellow.  It goes down easy like "Wheels Within Wheels."  There are notes of Tootsie Roll, sweet malt, and toasted bread.  And it has a very clean finish.

If you haven't heard Rory Gallagher and you like bluesy rock, do yourself a big favor and pick up "Notes From San Francisco" or any of his other great albums.  His work goes pretty well with the Guinness Black Lager, but I think I would suggest going with something bigger and muddier like a stout or a barleywine or you can just go straight for the whiskey jug!  Cheers and happy St. Patrick's Day!!

March 16th, 2013 - Diary Of A Mad Bigfoot

Alright head-bangers and brew-guzzlers, the Meista has rockin' pairing for you Today!  I thought I'd go with some classic Ozzy... his 1981 masterpiece, "Diary Of A Madman" (1995 Remastered Edition) and a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale.  This one goes out to my brother, Dain... cheers Dain-o!!

Way back in 1981 (long before Ozzy's wife and marketing whore, Sharon decided to turn his career into a joke), Ozzy Osbourne released what I consider his crowning achievement as a solo artist... "Diary Of A Madman."   What really makes this album so noteworthy is not necessarily Ozzy (although he is great), rather it is the breathtaking and amazing guitar work of the late Randy Rhoads.  "Diary..." may also consist of the greatest lineup for the Ozzman's bands.  As mentioned, it included the genius of Rhoads on guitar, but also included the impressive work of Bob Daisley on bass and Lee Kerslake (of Uriah Heep fame) on drums.  (Both Daisley and Kerslake were fired from the band before the album was released and replaced by Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Alrdridge who were initially given credit.  To add insult to injury, in 2002, Sharon decided to release a remastered version of the album with Daisley's and Kerslake's work completely erased and rerecorded by Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin.  What a bitch!!  So don't buy that one!  But enough about her!)  The beauty of this album lies in the deeply mystical, mythical, and dark mood it sets along with the fantastic acoustic and electric guitar acrobatic artistry of Rhoads.  Just listen to that closing solo on "Tonight" or the opening work on "Diary Of A Madman"!  Inspiring!!  And "Over The Mountain"??  DAMN!!  Sadly, Rhoads died in a plane crash during the "Diary Of A Madman" Tour in 1982.

The Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale by Sierra Nevada is characterized by huge malt flavors and bitter hops.  The Bigfoot is quite the monster of an ale like "Diary..." is a monster of an album!  Unlike its mythical counterpart, the Bigfoot's intensity is not elusive.  Coming in at 9.6% ABV, he is most definitely very present!  Bigfoot pours a deep copper-amber with a frothy, cream-colored head that leaves a wonderful spiderweb lacing.  The nose is much hoppier than most barleywines from an abundance of whole-cone, Pacific Northwest hops.  There are also some nice, sweet caramel and malt notes.  More carbonated that most barleywines I've tasted, the Bigfoot's mouthfeel is also not as syrupy or full-bodied as I'm used to from this style, but it makes it more drinkable and refreshing.  The flavor is big and bold and absolutely refreshing, perfect for the massive sound of "Diary..."  There is a great balance of the roasted malts and barley along with spicy and sharp hops.  The danger with the Bigfoot is that he sneaks up on you.  With all that refreshing and intriguing flavor, you forget about the big ABV content.  'Tis a might beast... and deserves respect!

Well, I'm "Flying High Again" and going to finish my beer... you all have a kick-ass day!  Be safe, be cool to one another, and enjoy a glass or two!  Until next time, cheers!!

March 15th, 2013 - A Muddy Porter Or You Gonna Need My Help Drinkin' That Rogue?

Something smooth and slow to send you off to bed tonight from the Meista.  I'm closing this evening with a pairing of Muddy Waters' 1964 album "Folk Singer" and a Rogue Ales Mocha Porter.

The fourth, full-length album released by McKinley Morganfield (better known as Muddy Waters) on Chess Records, "Folk Singer" is a wonderfully rich and heartfelt album... in fact, it is pure genius in my humble opinion.  Apart from the uptempo cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and "Short Dress Woman" by J.T. Brown, Waters' "Folk Singer" is a slower, acoustic outing for this blues legend.  The lyrics are raw, heartfelt, and honest.  The musicianship is inspired and absolute perfection...  just check out this lineup: Muddy Waters (vocals/guitar), Buddy Guy (guitar), Sammy Lawhorn (guitar), Willie Dixon (bass), Otis Spann (harmonica/piano), Clifton James (drums), and J.T. Brown (tenor sax/clarinet), among others.  That's blues royalty right there for ya folks!  With songs like opener "My Home Is In The Delta," the slow moaning "Long Distance," the bitter "Cold Weather Blues," the very sexy "Big Leg Woman," the honest "Feel Like Going Home," the powerful "My John The Conquerer Root," the mellow "Country Boy," and finale, "Put Me In Your Lay Away," Muddy Waters quite simply slays the listener.  If you have any love for the blues and you don't own this album, GO GET IT!!

There are some decent porters out there, there are some good porters out there, and there some exceptional porters... the Rogue Mocha Porter fits into that latter category.  Silky smooth, rich and chocolaty, and like slow molasses, this porter is liquid blues.  It pours almost ink black with a frothy, tan head that leaves the glass coated in doily lacing.  The nose is rich soil, Irish whiskey, and oak.  Full-bodied with mellow carbonation, the mouthfeel is like drinking the Mighty Mississippi.  The flavor is porter perfection... notes of bitter-sweet dark chocolate, black coffee, subtle notes of liquid smoke, baked bread, and very slight sweet fruit abound.  Thick and velvety, this one is a great sipper and goes down nice and slow... so very right for losing yourself in the heartfelt despair and bluesy beauty of Muddy's voice and his  12-bar finger picking. 

A good night to you friends... sleep well.  More pairings for you soon... and we've got some real heavy shit coming your way (both in the brews and the tunes)!  :)

March 15th, 2013 - Wig Out At Roosters!

Good evening brewvians and tunians!  The Meista here with another pairing for you... tonight finds me spinning some classic punk rock from 1987, Dag Nasty's "Wig Out At Denkos" and a Peloton Pale Ale from Roosters Brewing Company.  This pairing goes out to my good friend and bro, Chad.  Love ya buddy!  Cheers!!  And I also raise a glass to fellow B&T writer Fischbox... cheers my friend and brother-in-arms!!

An all-time punk favorite of mine, Dag Nasty's "Wig Out At Denkos" is a definitive album of my high school and early college years... and still stands up today as a kick-ass rocker!  Characterized by a perfect blending of post-punk, melodic hardcore/metal, and power pop, with "Wig Out At Denkos," Dag Nasty delivers a fast-paced, honest, and engaging album.  Colin Sears' drumming is spot on... at most times intensely fierce, at times swinging, and always precise.  Guitarist Brian Baker (of Minor Threat fame) delivers explosive power chords with machine-gun-like speed.  Doug Carrion's bass is thunderous and makes for a great pairing with Colin's drum work.  And Peter Cortner is definitely one of those underrated vocalists.  He brings honesty, emotion, and depth with each note and lyric.  Songs like "The Godfather," "Trying," "Safe," "Fall," "Simple Minds," "Wig Out At Denkos," "Exercise," and "Dag Nasty" are adreneline-charged rockers that will move you. Though slower, "When I Move" and "Crucial Three" are equally as compelling, honest, and musical.  This is definitely an album you need in your collection if it isn't there already!  It got me through some tough times... and some pretty fucking good times too!  (Oh, they rereleased this great album in 2011 with some killer bonus material!)

With such an explosive album as  "Wig Out At Denkos," I decided to go with a sharp, hoppy pale ale that goes down smooth and easy, but still delivers a nice kick.  The Peloton Pale Ale pours a deep, hazy copper with a frothy, 2-finger head that shows strong and layered spider web lacing throughout.  The nose is a perfect balance of maltiness and hoppiness - sweet and bitter.  There are notes of biscuits and summer grass.  Like any good American pale ale, the Peloton has a nice sharp, hop bite initially, a subtle baked bread mid-range, and a dry finish with some lingering bitter notes.  Brewed with eight malts (yes, eight!) and three varieties of hops, this pale ale is complex, full-bodied, and perfectly balanced.... hmmm... that sounds a lot like "Wig Out At Denkos"! 

I picked up this vinyl album at Raunch Records here in Salt Lake City some 20+ years ago... and you should too!  Check out Raunch Records at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raunch-Records/134410619919996  and tell Brad that Brews and Tunes sent ya!  Check out Peloton Pale Ale and all the great beer from Roosters Brewing Company at www.roostersbrewingco.com!

March 15th, 2013 - And The Next Beer, And The Next, And Another Beer



The Meista here with another pairing for you my fellow rockers and drinkers!  Today I'm pairing David Bowie's brand new album, "The Next Day" (deluxe edition) and a Westmalle Trappist Ale Tripel from Brouwerij Westmalle.  This pairing is fondly dedicated to my new friends, Justin Meads and Laura McAnany!  Cheers you two!!  And thank you!!

"The Next Day" is David Bowie's first studio album in 10 years.  Although 10 years is WAY too long... it was definitely worth the wait!  What an outstanding, beautiful, engrossing, profound, and wonderfully musical album!  My silly descriptions cannot do this album justice.  I am completely and utterly enthralled!  There are elements from his entire career here as well as fresh, new sounds.  Producer (and guitarist) Tony Visconti says, "if people are looking for classic Bowie they'll find it on this album, if they're looking for innovative Bowie, new directions, they're going to find that on this album too."  Bowie employs multiple voices and characters on this album: a school shooter, a WWII soldier, lovers, losers, and fighters, and aging artists.  An amazing cast of musicians appear on "The Next Day" as well: Zachary Alford (drums), Tony Levin (bass/Chapman stick), Gail Ann Dorsey (bass/vocals), Earl Slick (guitars), and Steve Elson (sax/clarinet) - among others.  Each song is a perfect microcosm of musical perfection.  Of the album, Visconti describes the material as "extremely strong and beautiful."   I couldn't agree more!  As with the ever-evolving nature of Bowie, he seems to turn away from the past with the obvious disregarding for the cover of the 1977 album, "Heroes" as the album art for "The Next Day."

With "The Next Day" as my inspiration, I needed an equally complex ale... something that would demand attention and present itself not just as a beer, but as an experience... just like Bowie's work!  Westmalle Tripel is an authentic Trappist product.  It debuted in 1934 and the recipe hasn't changed since.  It pours a very cloudy and hazy, golden peach-amber with a frothy, bouldered head that has strong sustaining presence.  That froth's sustaining power lasts throughout the drinking experience... from the initial pour to the last drop.  The nose is sweet and tart with strong ester notes of white grape, pear, banana, and citrus.  There are also some wonderful spice aromas: coriander, nutmeg, clove, and honey.  As with the nose, the flavors of the Westmalle Tripel are incredibly complex and engaging.  Initially sharp, the flavor expands as it moves across your tongue.  There's a bitterness from the hops that is front-and-center that I was not expecting, but I gladly welcome.  The Westmalle Trappist monks employ Tettnang, Saaz, and Styrian Goldings hops giving it a nice 39 IBU rating.  With each sip, I'm discovering new flavors: sour apple, clove, soft banana, spicy pepper, Westmalle yeast, and more!   Amazingly, with all this flavor, the Westmalle monks only use Pilsner malts.  As it warms, the bite of the alcohol becomes more prevalent (9.5-9.6% ABV), yet still very refreshing and very drinkable.  It has a nice, clean finish and leaves you wanting more... just like  "The Next Day"!  As with that album, I am completely and utterly enthralled!

Happy drinking and happy rocking!  Cheers!!

March 9th, 2013 - A Sour Probot In His Birthday Suit

What happens when you take a rather prolific drummer/guitarist/vocalist/songwriter from two of the most successful post-punk/grunge bands in modern history and have him team up with his favorite metal singers of all-time?  You get 2004's Probot, the heavy metal side project of ex-Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl... that's what!!  And what happens when you pair Probot with Uinta Brewing Company's brand new 20th Birthday Suit Sour Brown?  Perfection!  Oh, and this pairing goes out to my metal brother-in-arms, Jerm!!  Cheers buddy!!

Featuring the talents of such metal icons as Cronos (Venom), Max Cavalera (Sepultura/Soulfly/Cavalera Conspiracy), Lemmy Killmeister (Motorhead), Mike Dean (C.O.C.), Kurt Brecht (D.R.I.), Lee Dorrian (Napalm Death), Tom Warrior (Celtic Frost), Snake (Voivod), and King Diamond (Mercyful Fate), Grohl's metal brainchild is a thing of underrated metal genius and aggressive beauty!  Grohl provides all of the guitars, drums, bass, and backing vocals. Kim Thayil of Soundgarden fame plays on two tracks.  (Cronos and Lemmy play bass on their tracks. Wino plays guitar on his track.  There's also a hidden track, "I Am the Warlock" featuring Jack Black on vocals and guitar.)  Of the concept, Grohl was quoted as stating, "I came up with my wish list of all of my favorite singers from this era which is '82 to '89 underground metal, and all the bands I listened to at the time: Eric Wagner from Trouble, Snake from Voivod, Cronos, Lemmy, and Wino. We started making phone calls trying to find all these people."  Combining pure metal, thrash, death metal, doom metal, and crossover thrash, Probot is a breathtaking exploration and homage to underground metal.  Each song is performed in the style of the singer's band.  This album is at once a classic.  There is nothing sublte about it.  It is straight-ahead, in-your-face, metal brutality!  And with this vocal lineup, it is sure to quench the metal thirst of any blue-blooded metal head.   (Regrettably, Grohl had also approached Chuck Schuldiner of Death, but Chuck died from brain cancer only weeks before he was to contribute to the project.)

For something as original and engaging as Probot, I decided to go with the very original and delicious 20th Birthday Suit Sour Brown from Uinta Brewing Company.  The sharpness of this beer is great for the heaviness of Probot's fierce attack.  From Uinta's press release regarding this ale: "Birthday Suit Sour Brown is a limited, single release brand, only 2,000 cases were produced for distribution. This bottled conditioned American Style Sour Brown Ale flaunts significant acidity balanced by flavorful Abbey and Chocolate malts and a modest amount of hops. A distinct tartness on the palate combines with notes of toffee and earthiness. 20th Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale has an ABV of 7.4%."  The Birthday Suit Sour Brown pours a dark, clover-honey amber with a creamy head that dissipates quickly.  The nose is mellow with subtle notes of dark fruit and citrus.  The mouthfeel is very tart with light carbonation.  Distinctly and initially punchy and lemony, the flavor combines elements of a funky farmhouse sour with the smoothness of a brown ale.  There are notes of apple, lemon, and mellow caramel.  As you get deeper into your glass/bottle, the Birthday Suit Sour Brown Ale "warms" and those earthier, more toffee-like notes emerge.  It goes down easy (maybe too easy with the fury of Probot in my ears) and has a nice sweet finish with a lingering sour undertone bite. 

Happy pairing my friends!  Turn it up, pour it slow, and share it with someone you love (or at least someone hot!)  ;)  Cheers!

March 9th, 2013 - Dead On With Deadkill And A Hellmouth!

So last weekend I was in Seattle, WA... the mecca of American IPAs!  While there I got a copy of a 7-inch vinyl record from local punkers, Deadkill (on Good To Die Records) and had the great fortune of having a Hellmouth Imperial IPA at the Elliott Bay Brewing Company's pub in West Seattle.  This pairing goes out to my good buddy Jerry, who gave me the record and took me to Elliott Bay... nice guy!!  And he's just a bad-ass altogether!  Cheers Jerry!!

Deadkill's 7 inch includes 4 great punk rock tracks: "Oh God Help You," "5150," "Outta My Head," and "Rip Off."  Fast, aggressive, and powerful, Deadkill's music is in the vein of "old-school" punk bands like Circle Jerks, Descendants, and Seven Seconds.  They are irreverent, undisciplined, and a downright joy to listen to... punk perfection!   Driven by anger, Deadkill's songs are blisteringly fast, short and concise, and oh so much fun!  The fact that this EP was released on vinyl is an extra bonus!

And what better pairing for an aggressive Seattle punk band than an aggressive Seattle IPA!  As the name denotes, Hellmouth Imperial IPA is BIG... big, bitter, and aggressive!  Like Deadkill, this brew doesn't hold back any punches.  Hoppy as hell and high in ABV, the Hellmouth is a very strong, but very drinkable and refreshing IPA.  Here's what Elliott Bay's website says about the beer: "The name stems from the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which takes place in Sunnydale) and refers to 'a focal point which serves as a portal between earth and Hell. The Hellmouth attracts demons and other supernatural creatures, becoming a hot spot for supernatural activity.'  We thought that was a pretty good description of what happens when we ferment a 7% ABV beer in Burien (a.k.a. Sunnydale)!"

Check out Deadkill at http://deadkill.bandcamp.com/ and check out Elliott Bay Brewing Company at http://www.elliottbaybrewing.com/!  And check out Good To Die Records at http://www.goodtodierecords.com/... some really wonderful punk and metal bands coming outta this label!