The Meista here with another big one for ya my friends! Tonight I'm pairing Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company and "Led Zeppelin III"!!
Band: Led Zeppelin
Album: "Led Zeppelin III"
Year: 1970
Personnel: John Bonham (drums, percussion, backing vocals), John Paul Jones (bass guitar, organ, moog synthesiser, mandolin, double bass on "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp", string arrangement), Jimmy Page (acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitar, banjo, dulcimer, production, bass guitar on "That's the Way", backing vocals), Robert Plant (Lead vocals, harmonica)
"Led Zeppelin III" is obviously the third studio release by hard rock giants Led Zeppelin. It was recorded between January and August of 1970 and released on October 5th of the same year through Atlantic Records. Although still filled with rockin' bluesy goodness, the album found the band exploring a broader music sound with a greater emphasis on folk and acoustic sounds. Along with a more experimental sound, the band employed myriad instruments as well. The majority of the album was conceived and written in Bron-Yr-Aur, an 18th-century cottage on a hilltop overlooking the Dyfi Valley in Gwynedd, Wales. Vocalist Robert Plant said of the writing sessions, "[Bron-Yr-Aur] was a fantastic place in the middle of nowhere with no facilities at all-and it was a fantastic test of what we could do in that environment. Because by that time we'd become obsessed with change, and the great thing was that we were also able to create a pastoral side of Led Zep. Jimmy was listening to Davey Graham and Bert Jansch and was experimenting with different tunings, and I loved John Fahey. So it was a very natural place for us to go to." At the time, the album received mixed reviews. Plant said of the reviews: "[It's] not one of the best sellers in the catalogue because the audience turned round and said 'What are we supposed to do with this?'—'Where is our 'Whole Lotta Love Part 2'? They wanted something like Paranoid by Black Sabbath! But we wanted to go acoustic and a piece like "Gallows Pole" still had all the power of "Whole Lotta Love" because it allowed us to be dynamic." Through time, the album has of course become a classic... it is actually one of my favorites... not just by the mighty Zep, but an all-time favorite of mine and contains probably my favorite song by the band: "Since I've Been Loving You". And what can you say of the track listing?? "Immigrant Song", "Friends", Celebration Day", "Since I've Been Loving You", "Out On The Tiles", "Gallows Pole", "Tangerine", "That's The Way", "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp", "Hats Off To (Roy) Harper)... holy shit... BRILLIANT!!! Like the Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale, I think it is a richly balanced and complex concoction!
Brother David's Triple Abbey Style Ale from Anderson Valley Brewing Company is a complex and beastly brew... perfect for the complexities, depth, and musicianship of the Crimson boys! According to www.beeradvocate.com, "The name "Tripel" actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Trappist." In a frosted schooner, the Brother David's Triple pours a lovely reddish copper-amber with a white, frothy head that diminishes quickly leaving foamy lacing. The nose smells of candied apples, figs, dates, sweet bread, and spice. There's a slight smokiness there as well in the background. The body is medium with a sticky, syrupy feel. The flavor reminds me of autumn apples, burnt toffee, sweet and dark fruits, and a little booze (maybe spiced rum or Southern whiskey)... from the 10% ABV. There are notes of smoked sweet meats, freshly baked bread, and I swear I taste a hint of pumpkin or summer squash. The finish is crisp and clean, which is really nice and not characteristic of many Abbey-style Triples. I know I say this quite a lot, but the complexity of this beer really does enhance the listening experience of "Led Zeppelin III". It really does! :)
Well, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my beer and the rest of this album. The next time you pour yourself a frosty brew, think of your pals at Brews and Tunes. May life treat you well... Op uw gezondheid!!
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