January 4th, 2014 - The God Of Thunder's Ragnarok

Gott kvøld!!  Hvussu gongur tað?  The Meista here with another great metal and artisan ale pairing for you... tonight I'm pairing Viking folk/power metal band Týr's "Ragnarok" with a God Of Thunder Baltic Porter from Tenaya Creek Brewery from Las Vegas, Nevada!

Released on September 22nd, 2006, "Ragnarok" is the 3rd full-length studio album by the Faroese metal band Týr.  Fast becoming one of my favorite bands, with the album "Ragnarok," Týr explores the Norse mythology of Ragnarök (or Ragnarøkkr), which is a future great battle of the Norse gods ultimately resulting in the destruction and death of the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdallr, and Loki (among others).  The world will then resurface anew and fertile and be repopulated and the gods will be reborn.  Like all Týr albums, Heri Joensen and Terji Skibenæs deliver richly textured and aggressive guitars on top of the thunderous and booming rhythm section of Gunnar H. Thomsen (bass) and Kári Streymoy (drums).  Recorded in both English and Faroese, the lyrics .  Song like "The Hammer Of Thor," The Ride To Hel," "Torsteins Kvæði," "Wings of Time," "The Rage of the Skullgaffer," "Lord of Lies" and the title track "Ragnarok" (among others) are fantastically rich in musical composition, history, lyricism, and execution!   This is truly a brilliant, thoughtful, yet rocking album that deserves a robust and contemplative ale!

Like "Ragnarok," God Of Thunder Baltic Porter from Tenaya Creek Brewery is a big, bold, complex beast!  It follows the brewing techniques of the 1700 porters, which are strong and hearty, brewed specifically to be shipped across the North Sea (thus the name).  God Of Thunder Baltic Porter pours a thick, opaque ink black with a thin mocha head.  The nose is earthy and bittersweet.  There are notes of dark coffee, rich soil, dark chocolate and bourbon.  Full-bodied (and I mean full!) with minimal carbonation, the mouthfeel is smooth and silky as well as sticky and chewy.  Strong, boozy, and robust, the flavor is hearty and bold.  There are rustic notes of exotic coffees, dates, cocoa, licorice, bourbon, and sweet meats.  The finish is very earthy and lingering.  The God Of Thunder Baltic Porter makes a wonderful companion to the bombastic and profound power of Týr's brilliant "Ragnarok"!!  Learn more about Tenaya Creek Brewery at http://www.tenayacreekbrewery.com/! 

Skál!!