August 21st, 2014 - Braggot Of The Crystal Karma

Hey friends!  The Meista here with another rockin' pairing for you.  In honor of the mighty Glenn Hughes on his birthday (and hey, mine too!), I'm pairing his album "Return Of Crystal Karma" ("R.O.C.K.") (Limited Edition 2 CD Package) a Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot from Rogue Ales!!

Released on June 19th, 2000, "Return Of Crystal Karma" is the 7th solo album by "the voice of rock" Glenn Hughes (of Trapeze, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath fame).  (It is also the first of Hughes' solo album I purchased upon its release.)  The Limited Edition includes "Live in South America" (Bonus CD).  Along with Hughes on lead vocals and bass, his band is made up of JJ Marsh on guitars, Gary Ferguson on drums (on "R.O.C.K."), Hans Zermüehlen on keyboards, Lol Tolhurst on electronica (on "R.O.C.K."), and Bob Harsen on drums (on "Live In South America").  The album wonderfully blends hard rock, funk, soul, and metal.  Like the Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot, the songs on "Return Of Crystal Karma" are punchy, complex, and full of warming soul!  Favorites for me include "The State I'm In", "Switch The Mojo", "Gone", "Owed To J", and "Days Of Avalon", but everything on this album shines!  Here's the full, amazing track list:

1. "The State I'm In"
2. "Midnight Meditated"
3. "It's Alright"
4. "Switch The Mojo"
5. "Gone"
6. "The Other Side Of Me"
7. "Angela"
8. "Owed To J"
9. "This Life"
10. "Days Of Avalon"

Bonus Disc:

1. "You Kill Me"
2. "Neverafter"
3. "First Step Of Love"
4. "No Stranger To Love"
5. "Coast To Coast"
6. "Your Love Is Alright"

The Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot (pronounced "bragawd) is based on an ancient and rather interesting recipe.  Dating back to the 12th century (or possibly earlier), braggots are made by blending spices and herbs with both mead and beer.  Fruit is often blended into the recipe as well.  The Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot is brewed with two varieties of honey, Munich malts, organic rye, Rebel hops, Pacman yeast and "free-range" coastal water as well as fresh Marion berries.  It pours a deep mahogany (with tinges of purple and crimson) with a frothy mocha head that dissipates quickly, leaving only trace lacing.  The nose is initially rather mellow but becomes more prevalent as the brew warms.  There are aromas of tart berries, fruit punch, fragrant honey, hearty malts, a hint of vanilla, and a booziness akin to rum or bourbon.  Medium bodied, the mouthfeel is tart and dry with a sharp boozy bite in the back from the 11.42% ABV.  The taste is characterized by a dominance of big fruit flavors and sharp booziness with a malty backbone.  There are big notes of tart berry, grape, plum, honey, toffee, brandy, and rum.  The finish is dry and tart.

Cheers, hails, and happy birthday to Mr. Hughes!!!  (And me too!)  :)

Mr. Glenn Hughes and me (2004)