June 21st, 2014 - The Meista Presents... Vanderghinste Oud Bruin... And Opeth... Or Vice Versa!

Good afternoon!  The Meista here with a rather interesting pairing of complexity and depth for you today... a Vanderghinste Oud Bruin from Brouwerij Bockor N.V. and Opeth's "Peaceville Presents... Opeth"!  And this one goes out to my friends over at the Maximum Distortion heavy metal radio show, Forgach and Cody D.!   Cheers boys!! 

A 48-minute EP including 2 previously released studio tracks (from the album "Still Life") and 3 excellent live tracks, "Peaceville Presents... Opeth" was released in 2013 through Peaceville Records.  Although "The Moor" and "Moonlapse Vertigo" are absolutely brilliant, the album's real brilliance is conveyed in the live performances.  (You also get a glimpse of frontman singer/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt's great sense of humor as he introduces the songs.  Combining death metal, progressive rock, and European folk (and a touch of jazz), Opeth's music is complex, intense, engaging, and yet completely accessible!  Here's the fantastic full track list:

1. "The Moor"  
2. "Moonlapse Vertigo"  
3. "Ghost of Perdition" (Live)  
4. "Windowpane" (Live)  
5. "Demon of the Fall" (Live)  

Originating in Flanders, Belgium, Oud Bruins are interesting ales that combine the lactic sourness of a farmhouse ale or a lambic and the spicy richness of a dark Belgian ale.  The Vanderghinste Oud Bruin pours a dark, caramel-brown with a thin, off-white head that dissipates quickly leaving only trace lacing.  The nose is vinous and tart, but with some nice sweetness and spice aromas as well.  There are scents of tart fruit esters (lemon, white grape, sour apple, and cherries) along with some anise, burnt toffee, and earthy funk.  Light-bodied, velvety, acidic, and dry, the mouthfeel is not what I expected... nor was the flavor.  More subtle than the nose, the flavor is characterized by complex notes of cherry, persimmons, cocoa, and green apple.  That probably sound like an odd mix, but it the flavors comingle quite harmoniously.  The Vanderghinste Oud Bruin with a tart, dry kiss that leaves you wanting more... just like "Peaceville Presents... Opeth"!  Learn more about this wonderful brew at http://www.omervanderghinste.be/!

Op uw gezondheid!!  Skål!!  Cheers!!