August 1st, 2013 - Fresh Squeezing Muses

Happy National IPA Day!!  In celebration of this glorious day, I'm pairing a
Fresh Squeezed IPA from Deschutes Brewery (part of their Bond Street Series) with Throwing Muses' self-titled, debut album!

"Throwing Muses" was released in 1986 by underground college rock darlings, Throwing Muses and was the first American album to be released on 4AD (who would later sign the Pixies.)  At the time, the band was made up of Kristin Hersh  (lead vocals,guitars and synthesizer), Tanya Donelly (vocals,guitars and percussion), Leslie Langston (bass), David Narcizo (drums, percussion), along with Dave Knowles (additional keyboards) and Ronald Stone (additional guitar).  Characterized by richly textured, often dark and always poignant lyrics, driving melodies and rhythms, and Hersh's sharp vocal attack, "Throwing Muses" is a brilliantly biting and colossal album... perfect for the big hop flavor of the Fresh Squeezed IPA!  Allmusic (formerly AMG) hailed the album as a "startling collision of punk energy, folky melodicism  and Hersh's mercurial voice and lyrics."   Furthermore, the review stated that the album was a collection of "fluid, effortless emotional shifts," but with "violent, vibrant mood swings."   Songs like opener "Call Me," "I Hate My Way," "Vicky's Box," "Rabbits Dying," "America (She Can't Say No)," "Soul Soldier," and "Delicate Cutters" are gripping, furious, and emotional... true art!

And speaking of true art, Fresh Squeezed IPA pours a clear, deep copper - almost pumpkin amber with a thick, frothy, off-white head with strong, sustained, and bubbly lacing.  Like the opening notes of "Call Me," the Fresh Squeezed's nose is shot between the eyes of juniper, pine, and dewy grasses.  Refreshing, mouthwatering, and very drinkable, this light to medium bodied IPA is crisp and delicious.  For an IPA it is quite smooth and slightly creamy.  Brewed with a plentiful helping of both Citra and Mosaic hops, the flavor is much like the nose, very piney, bitter, and oh so good!  There's also a good amount of citrus-fruity goodness here!  You'd think they used fruit extract.

Check out Fresh Squeezed IPA and all the other great Deschutes ales at www.deschutesbrewery.com!  Make sure to crack open a cold and crisp IPA tonight!  Cheers!!