April 6th, 2013 - "Been [Hazed & Infused] For So Long..."

Good evening!  Your Saturday night drinking buddy, the Meista here with another pairing for you... tonight I'm going with a Hazed & Infused Dry Hopped Ale from Boulder Beer Company and Led Zeppelin's first, self-titled album (on vinyl, tape, and cd... just need an 8-track to round out my collection!)

As the label on the bottle states, "Hazed & Infused is 'hazed' in its natural unfiltered state and 'infused' (dry-hopped) in the fermenter whil cold conditioning."  The Hazed & Infused pours a hazy, light copper color with a nice, white 1-finger head that produces sustained and strong lacing.  The nose is hoppy, piney, and slightly sweet.  There are mellow notes of skunky weeds, pine resin, and citrus.  The flavor is that of a solid American Pale Ale (APA).  There is a good balance between the hops and the malts.  Nice and hoppy and very refreshing, there are notes of grapefruit, summer grass, freshly baked sourdough, and juniper.  The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.  The finish is dry and satisfying.  Coming in at only 5% ABV, this is a very drinkable APA that fits perfectly with the mighty Zep!

Wow, what can you say about this album that hasn't already been said in the last 40+ years?  Recorded at the end of 1968 and released on January 12th, 1969, "Led Zeppelin" was and still is the definitive hard rock/heavy blues album!  Probably one of the most influential hard rock albums of all time, "Led Zeppelin" is a fusion of English rock and American traditional blues.  The writing, production, and delivery on this album is flawless.  Jimmy Page's guitar work is simply breathtaking.  He combines eloquence, unbridled power, heaviness, and honesty in every note.  The rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John "Bonzo" Bonham is thunderous, profound, and awe-inspiring.  Just listen to "Dazed And Confused"... wow!!  And Robert Plant's vocal delivery is fierce and youthful.  From those oh-so-recognizable opening notes of "Good Times Bad Times" to the final crescendo of " How Many More Times," this album slays with every chord, every scream, every cymbal crash!  Like the Hazed & Infused, the delivery is at times biting, at times savory, and always refreshing.

Check out Hazed & Infused and all of Boulder Beer Company's great beers at www.boulderbeer.com!

Cheers!!