June 20th, 2014 - Building The Hopbot Machine

Good evening hop-heads, rockers, and rollers!  The Meista here with another killer pairing for you all tonight... "Building The Machine" by the amazing Glenn Hughes and a Hopbot IPA from Hop City Brewing Company!

Brewed with Centennial, Citra, Mosaic, Summit, and Willamette hops and biscuity malts, the Hopbot IPA from Hop City Brewing Company out of Ontario, Canada is surprisingly smooth for an IPA.  Coming in at 7.1% ABV and 70 IBUs, the Hopbot has some good bite though.  It pours a hazy light copper-amber with a 1-finger off-white head that leaves bold, sticky lacing throughout.  The nose is a nice blend of citrus and tropical fruits with caramelly and malty sweet.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, mango, melon, and buttery toffee.  Medium bodied, the mouthfeel is oily and sticky, yet very smooth and refreshing.  Full flavored, the Hopbot is a wonderful blend of citrusy hops and sweet malts.  There are big notes of tangerine, grapefruit, lemon, mango, and pineapple along with sweet toffee and caramel malt flavors.  The finish is very clean... especially for an IPA.  Only a hint of bitterness on the tongue lingers... like the residual flavor after eating a mango wedge.  Delicious!  Learn more about Hop City Brewing Company at http://www.hopcity.com/!

For a brew this complex, this tasty, this good, we need something of equal if not better merit... I give you Glenn Hughes!!Released on September 24th, 2001, "Building The Machine" is the 8th studio album by legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes.  Blending a funky edge with driving hard rock, "Building The Machine" is a brilliant rock and roll album and a favorite of mine... not just from Hughes, but of my entire collection!  Like the mythology of Midas, every album that Hughes touches (or rather sings and plays on) turns to gold!  His bass work is deeply rooted in funk and soul, but with a hard rock back bone that isn't easily matched.  And his voice... oh that voice... "the voice of rock"!  Joined by Hughes was his regular band at that time: JJ Marsh on guitars, Gary Ferguson on drums, and Vince DiCola on keys.  Guest musicians included the amazing Pat Travers on guitar and vocals (on a fantastic cover of Rare Earth's "I Just Want To Celebrate") and backing vocals by ex-Toto frontman Bobby Kimball (on "Inside" and "Don't Let it Slip Away").  Songs like "Can't Stop the Flood", "Feels Like Home", "When You Fall", "Beyond the Numb", and "Big Sky" display not only Hughes' vocal and musical abilities, but his strength as a songwriter as well.  And his cover of Deep Purple's "Highball Shooter" kicks ass!  Hughes covers both his vocal parts and the David Coverdale parts from the original track... simply breathtaking!  Pick up a copy of this spectacular album from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop: www.heavymetalshop.com!!

Cheers!!