November 8th, 2013 - A Special, Squeaky Nut Brown One!

Good afternoon!  The Meista here pairing Cheap Trick's "Special One" with a Squeaky Bike Nut Brown Ale from Moab Brewing Company!

Almost completely overlooked by the elitist rock/pop media, "Special One" is the 14th studio album of Cheap Trick and was released in 2003, six years after their previous album.  With a foot in the past and foot in the present, "Special One" has a classic Cheap Trick sound, but with a very fresh, modern approach.  There is a very Beatles-esque sound to the album (the Japanese press calls Cheap Trick "the American Beatles"), especially in Robin Zander's vocals and lyrics, which are reminiscent of John Lennon's later work.  Bun E. Carlos' drum work is as solid and driving as ever.  Tom Petersson's bass work is rich, meaty, and brimming with pop depth.  Rick Nielsen's lead guitar work is as masterful, beautifully textured, and intriguing as ever... true genius!  And Zander's rhythm guitar work and vocals are perfection!  Songs like "Scent Of A Woman," "Special One," "Pop Drone," "Words," "Sorry Boy," "Best Friend," "If I Could," and "Low Life In High Heels/Hummer" are wonderfully balanced, wonderfully written, and wonderfully executed power pop/rock and roll classics!  This is solid rockin' goodness my friends!

An all-American band deserves an all-American brew!  A great beer for the crispness of autumn, the Squeaky Bike Nut Brown Ale from Moab Brewing Company is a very malt forward, very nutty American brown ale.  It pours a deep reddish brown amber with a thin mocha head that dissipates quickly, but leaves some nice, cascading lacing.  The nose is characterized by maltiness, nuttiness, and a little smokiness for good measure.  There are notes of freshly roasted hazelnuts, multigrain bread, and burnt toffee.  The flavor follows suit with rich flavors of nuts and malts, a little smokiness, and a hint of caramel sweetness.  Easy drinking, this is a great session ale that goes down smooth and finishes clean... perfect for the rock and roll sensibility of the mighty Cheap Trick!!

Cheers!!