Hey gang! The Meista here with another pairing for you tonight! How 'bout some kick-ass Portland stoner rock/doom metal and some Belgian-style ale goodness? Damn straight! I'm going with the intense power that is Witch Mountain and their 2012 album "Cauldron of the Wild" along with a Portland Brewing Rose Hip Gold Ale.
So I just picked up a copy of "Cauldron of the Wild" by Witch Mountain yesterday and holy shit this is good stuff! The idea of a female singer in a doom metal band is a very cool concept for me, and not because I'm a dirty old man! :) Being the parent of a vibrant, fiesty, and intelligent daughter, I love the idea of an empowered female singer kicking ass in a metal band. And Uta Plotkin delivers! Her clean, powerful voice is the perfect balance for the heaviness and depth that is Witch Mountain's signature sound: Rob Wrong's fierce guitar work, Neal Munson's monster bass, and Nate Carson's thunderous drumming. In the tradition of Saint Vitus, Witchcraft, Witchfinder General, and of course Black Sabbath, Witch Mountain is band of power, depth, and head-banging delivery. "Cauldron of the Wild" opens with a fascinating and complex and slow powerhouse of a song, "The Ballad Of Lanky Rae." This is followed by the impressive "Beekeeper" with its powerful riffs, driving rhythm, and Uta's amazing vocals. "Shelter," "Veil Of The Forgotten," the epic "Aurelia," and the finale "Never Know" are all equally intense, engrossing, and utterly amazing! I am completely blown away by this band and this album. Metal perfection!
The Rose Hip Gold Ale by Portland Brewing Company is a Belgian Pale Ale brewed with rose hips. It pours a somewhat hazy and very bubbly golden amber in a frosty schooner. It is brewed with Pilsner, 2-Row Pale, Honey, Wheat, and Victory malts along with Summit and Crystal hops, which give it a nice, citrusy bite. The nose is subtle with a light aroma of malt, pear, and rose petals. The mouthfeel is crisp and light with a slight syrupy feel under the fizziness. The flavor is light and refreshing, yet complex and multi-layered. There are notes of white grape juice, apple, pear, pink bubble gum, spice, and rose. It has a very clean, dry finish as well. Although the complexity of the Rose Hip Gold fits well with the complexity of "Cauldron of the Wild," I think the album may have been better served with a big Imperial Stout or even a barley wine. Don't get me wrong; the Rose Hip Gold is a great beer, but I think Witch Mountain needs something that is bit bigger and boozier, and more of a slow sipper. All in all, a very enjoyable pairing though!
Check out Portland Brewing at http://www.portlandbrewing.com/ and if you love doom metal like I do, you MUST own Witch Mountain's "Cauldron of the Wild"! Check them out!! https://www.facebook.com/#!/witchmountain?fref=ts
Cheers!
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